IJC will be from August 23rd to August 29th 2026 at Camp Echo in Bloomingburg, New York
IJC will be from August 23rd to August 29th 2026 at Camp Echo in Bloomingburg, New York
Our Instructors
Israel Hernández is a two-time Olympic bronze medalist for Cuba and a highly respected international judo coach. He will join us this summer and share his elite technical insight and vast competitive experience as our 2026 guest instructor at IJC!
Born in Santiago de Cuba in 1970, Israel began judo at age 6 and was accepted into Cuba’s national Olympic program by age 17. He represented Cuba from 1987 to 1998, becoming one of the most decorated judokas in the -65kg category.
After retiring from competition in 1998, Israel began coaching at the Olympic Training Center in Barcelona, Spain. He has since coached the Puerto Rican National Team, the Harlingen Texas National Training Site, and the 2008 United States Olympic Judo Team.
Lead Instructors
Kostiantyn is a Godan (5th degree Black belt) with a Masters Degree in Physical Education. He has trained over 100 Regional and National Ukrainian Champions. With his dynamic and interactive judo style, he will coach an energetic and challenging competition class each day!
Heiko is a Rokudan (6th degree Black belt) in judo and a Godan (5th degree Black belt) in jujutsu. With his decades of training experience, 19 over-all National Championship golds, 8 Pan-Am golds, 1 World Masters gold and 8 x representing the US at the World Kata Championships, Heiko will lead the campers through a selected Kata during the week.
Michael Dobbs is a 3rd degree blackbelt (Sandan) in Judo and is a National Rank Examiner. He has been a judo coach for over 15 years and is a National Level Coach. He founded ArkJudo which became one of the top 3 USJA clubs. Michael is currently one of the senior instructors at Tennessee Judo Academy and lives near Nashville Tennessee.
Kostiantyn is a Godan (5th degree Black belt) with a Masters Degree in Physical Education. He has trained over 100 Regional and National Ukrainian Champions. With his dynamic and interactive judo style, he will coach an energetic and challenging competition class each day!
Heiko is a Rokudan (6th degree Black belt) in judo and a Godan (5th degree Black belt) in jujutsu. With his decades of training experience, 19 over-all National Championship golds, 8 Pan-Am golds, 1 World Masters gold and 8 x representing the US at the World Kata Championships, Heiko will lead the campers through a selected Kata during the week.
Michael Dobbs is a 3rd degree blackbelt (Sandan) in Judo and is a National Rank Examiner. He has been a judo coach for over 15 years and is a National Level Coach. He founded ArkJudo which became one of the top 3 USJA clubs. Michael is currently one of the senior instructors at Tennessee Judo Academy and lives near Nashville Tennessee.
