Step Onto the Mat: Journey to True Success

Eighteen years of trials, triumphs and
tears came down to a final instant for
Kevin Asano. His journey began as a
seven-year-old boy in a judo dojo in
Okinawa... It ended as a man
competing for gold in Seoul, Korea.
Kevin embraced the elation of winning
while being mercilessly taunted by
doubts and disappointments. Yet
always, he was certain it was his
destiny. He was compelled beyond
himself to step onto the mat .
Finally, Kevin s childhood dream of
competing in the world's most
prestigious sporting event was staring
him in the face. Thousands packed the
international arena, yet his only concern was to please an audience of
One. When you face your moment,
your dream, your chance, there is only
one question: Will you step onto the
mat?

Kevin Asano began his journey to
Olympic success from humble
beginnings training in his judo coach' s
garage in Pearl City, Hawaii, and rose
to the pinnacle of sports success
representing the United States at the
1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea,
where against all odds, he earned a
silver medal. In 2000, he was inducted
into the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame
and in 2002, into the San Jose State
University Sports Hall of Fame. A6th degree black belt and professor
of Judo, Asano is a partner in Pacific
Wealth Strategies, LLC, a financial
planning organization, and the cofounder
of Personal Transformation
International, a non-profit organization
committed to transforming individuals
by helping them find their life s
calling. He and his wife Mari have
three children and reside in Hawaii.
Asano is a graduate of Pearl City High
School and graduated with distinction
from San Jose State University.