Jenni and Josh Crook are a mother-son duo who will represent Torrance’s Yamamoto Sumo Dojo at the U.S. Sumo Open in Long Beach during the weekend.Azhakh began practicing karate after moving to Southern California as a teenager, first attending a karate school in Canoga Park. He earned his first black belt, became an instructor and before long took ownership of his own dojo.
The sport’s prominence declined in Hollywood productions. The once robust market of karate magazines and martial arts publications — such as one Matsuda used to publish — had nearly disappeared. And in places like the Valley, the vast network of neighborhood karate schools that used to seemingly populate almost every street corner and strip mall began to slowly disappear.
“Cobra Kai” helped re-energize interest, not only by putting a spotlight back on the visually-astounding physical elements but also by exploring the philosophical complexities like its “Karate Kid” predecessor. Heated rivalries between actual dojos or instructors, like the ones in the “Karate Kid” universe, are rare. Instead, many instructors and school owners have worked together, connecting on social media to brainstorm best practices for their profession.
mmm tough one. let me try: to make money?