From the Mat to the Classroom: A Life of Discipline and Giving Back
For Matt Ogata, judo began as an after-school activity in elementary school. It became a lifelong pursuit that took him to Tokai University in Japan, San José State, and competitions on national and international stages. But when an injury shifted his path, Matt carried the lessons of the dojo into a new arena: teaching at-risk youth in Hawai‘i.
Building a Foundation at HTIC
After graduating from Mililani High School in 2008, Matt didn’t have a clear path forward. What he did know was a desire to reconnect with his Japanese roots and continue his training in judo. Hawai‘i Tokai International College provided both: a stepping stone to Tokai University in Japan and exposure to a diverse international community.
“HTIC was my first real exposure to the world beyond Hawai‘i,” he recalls. “I met people from all walks of life, and that opened my eyes to different perspectives.” The confidence he gained from studying abroad and two full semesters at Tokai University’s Shonan campus prepared him to pursue competitive judo at higher levels and shaped the resilience that continues to guide him today.
The Discipline of Judo, the Calling of Teaching
Matt’s judo career flourished at San José State University, where he earned two collegiate titles, represented the U.S. at the World University Games, and placed at the national level. However a severe ankle injury forced him to reevaluate. Instead of stepping back entirely, he leaned into the judo principle of ongaeshi (giving back) by coaching younger athletes and sharing the discipline that had defined his own journey.
That spirit of service carried him into education. Matt earned his teaching license in World Languages with a concentration in Japanese at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and now teaches at an alternative learning school for at-risk youth in Kapolei. The parallels to HTIC’s small-classroom environment are not lost on him. “One-to-one connection is everything,” he explains. “I just want my students to leave better than when they first came to me.”
Impact Beyond the Dojo
Working with students whose lives are often marked by instability and hardship has deepened Matt’s sense of gratitude and purpose. Many come from homes with absent parents or cycles of incarceration. For him, success isn’t measured in grades alone but in growth as people. “Only one out of a hundred may really take the message,” he admits, “but if even one turns things around, that’s why I do this work.”
The patience and adaptability honed through judo now serve him in the classroom. He meets students where they are, builds trust through common ground like sports, and models discipline and respect. In doing so, he provides his students a community—an ibasho—that many have never experienced.
Matt’s Advice for Students and Early-Career Readers
In his own words:
Don’t worry if you don’t know your path. I didn’t either after high school. Focus on the opportunities right in front of you.
Say yes to opportunities. You never know if they’ll come again, so take them when they appear.
Put yourself out there. Don’t let shyness hold you back from building connections. Networking opens doors.
Find what excites you to get up every morning. Passion is what sustains you through challenges.
Give back. Whether in sports, school, or work, pass on what others gave you.
Credits
Interview with Matt Ogata (Hawai‘i), September 2025
This feature has been edited for clarity and length
