Andrew Varga

Andrew started Judo at the age of three, earned his Black Belt in 2012, and has dedicated over twenty-five years of his life to it. As a boy living in Chicago, he became interested in Judo when he watched his older brother train, and as soon as he got on the mat himself, he knew it was the sport for him. Andrew joined the Five Points team in 2020 and has been teaching Judo for over fifteen years. He began by coaching younger kids when he was ten, and through the Menomonee Judo Club, he taught kids with disabilities as well as wounded veterans. In 2011, he competed in the World Judo Juniors Championship, was a four-time Junior National Champion, and competed internationally a number of times. For Andrew, coaching allows him to give back to the sport that’s been an integral part of his life since 1999. As a teacher, one of his greatest feelings is seeing a student in Randori successfully apply a throw they’ve been working on. Andrew loves working on new strategies, refining his techniques, and being rewarded with the seemingly incremental improvements that advance his overall understanding and practice of Judo. Outside the gym, Andrew takes advantage of all the things New York has to offer: enjoying live music, biking around the city, and eating at all the great restaurants. 

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