Meet Our Team

David Puerner

David retired from the US Air Force with 23 years of service to our country. He began studying Judo in 1992 while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. From that point on he carried his judogi with him everywhere while in the Air Force, even while deployed to Afghanistan.

After retiring David began teaching Judo in Anchorage, Alaska. His daughter Emily asked him to help her start a dojo in her school; they later moved that dojo to a Boys and Girls Club in an underserved area of the city. His mentor Sensei Dee High supported his vision to bring Judo to as many kids as possible.

Dave’s philosophy is that Judo should be fun – it’s something that he asks his kids during every session: “Why do we do Judo?” and the answer he expects is “Because it’s fun!” The louder the response the bigger the smile it brings to his face.

Sensei David a Nidan and is a national level coach with USA Judo, a lifetime member of US Judo Federation, a member of US Judo Association, a member of the AAU, and the Judo Black Belt Association.

Carlos Alvarez

Sensei Alvarez is the founder of our program in Yuma. When he was a young man in southern California he wanted to do Judo, but could not afford to pay for the lessons. His sensei suggested instead that he clean the floors of the dojo in exchange for the lessons and to pay for his judo gi.  He has also taught and coached athletes at every level including members of the Mexican Olympic Team.

As an Army Veteran he served his country around the world and decided to settle in Yuma. When he began teaching judo in Yuma, he did so in several locations and never really had a club of his own. A few years ago he agreed to lead us as we started Yuma Territorial Judo Club.
He also teaches judo across the border in Mexico.

Sensei Alvarez is a Sandan, a member of USJA and AAU.

Tom Prata

Tom Prata holds the rank of 5 degree Black Belt from the USJA (United States Judo Association).  He is also a BJJ Brown under Master Flavio Behring. With nearly 50 years of uninterrupted Judo experience, he is one the most experienced Judoka in the US.  Tom started his Judo career at 15 years of age under Sensei Charlie Hooks.  His most formative years took place at Colorado State University under the instruction of Sensei Jack Oliver.  It was at CSU and years that followed that Tom trained with future Olympians at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.   Tom’s career in International Agriculture has allowed him to compete, train and teach Judo all around the world – namely Jamaica, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Brazil, England, Belgium, France, Luxemburg, Germany, Israel and Japan.  Tom focuses on teaching “technical” Judo based on Jigoro Kano’s founding principles. He has taught Judo the blind students in Jamaica and police officers in California.  He believes that Judo is a “big tent” and there is “something for everyone in this wonderful game we call Judo”. 

Sensei Tom recently relocated to Florida, but still visits us on a pretty regular basis.