Hello, my name is Shin Nishida, and I’m the director of Tumble Kids.
It’s a pleasure to meet you!
Let me begin with a little story—I’ve spent the past 15 years teaching gymnastics and running a gymnastics school in Jamaica, the tropical Caribbean nation famously home to the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt. (And yes, I’m still actively involved there!)
My journey in Jamaica began after graduating university, when I joined the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers as a gymnastics instructor. I was drawn to the country’s rich natural beauty and its relaxed, warm-hearted people. It truly is a wonderful place—but not without its challenges.
Approximately 40% of the population lives in poverty, and the homicide rate is 264 times higher than Japan’s (as of 2017). Jamaica also ranks among the highest globally for incidents of sexual violence and abduction. It’s a country of striking contrasts—resort-like beauty alongside deep social hardship.
It was this reality that inspired me to take action. I wanted to do something for the children living in difficult conditions, and I believed that gymnastics—a sport that builds both body and spirit—could help support their healthy development. That’s how our Jamaican program began.
This mission—to nurture children’s growth through the power of gymnastics—is the same whether in Jamaica or Japan, whether a child comes from a low-income neighborhood or a more privileged background. Our lessons are cheerful and fun, and we focus on recognizing each child’s strengths and helping them grow, both in gymnastics and in English.
Just as we’ve done in Jamaica, our team here in Kyoto is committed to creating a space where children can thrive. We’ll continue working hard to support their healthy development through movement, language, and joyful learning.
Qualifications and Experience
- Certified Gymnastics Instructor by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG)
- Certified Gymnastics Instructor by the National Gymnastics Federation of Jamaica (NGFJ)
- Head Coach for Team Jamaica at the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships
- Board Member, National Gymnastics Federation of Jamaica (2006–2010)
- Vice President, National Gymnastics Federation of Jamaica (2012–2016)
- Licensed Health and Physical Education Teacher for Junior and Senior High School (Japan)
Media Features & Awards
- Featured in multiple Jamaican media outlets for gymnastics education and outreach
- NHK World Side by Side (January 2022)
- FM Yuugao Afternoon Plaza – Radio Guest (August 2020)
- NHK News Shibu Goji (June 2020)
- YTV Gutto Chikyubin Special – Jamaica/Kingston (January 2020)
- Kyoto Shimbun – Coverage of World Gymnastics Championships (December 2015)
- NHK Chikyuu Radio (November 2011)
- YTV Gutto Chikyubin #033 – Jamaica/Kingston (November 2008)
Coach Nishida’s work has been featured multiple times on Japanese television.
Meet our Kyoto Team!
Hello everyone!
My name is Komako Azuma, and I live in Mie Prefecture with my three wonderful daughters.
Let me jump right in—I absolutely love gymnastics! I started simply to build strength, but I quickly became hooked. Trying movements and skills I’d never experienced before was so refreshing, and the sense of accomplishment when I finally mastered a new technique was deeply moving. That cycle of challenge and achievement became irresistibly fun, and even now as a mother, I continue to train and even compete in the annual Masters Gymnastics Tournament.
At Tumble Kids, I want to help children experience that same joy of “I did it!” Gymnastics isn’t just about building physical strength—it also nurtures confidence and a thoughtful mindset, like asking “How can I do this better next time?” Trying a new skill is scary and difficult for anyone, but with steady practice, you’ll get there.
Never give up! You can do it!
Fun fact: My whole family loves gymnastics so much that we’ve built a mini gym at home—with a horizontal bar, vaulting box, trampoline, and more!
I also love English. In the past, I worked as a train conductor in Osaka, where I made English announcements and helped guide passengers at stations and on board. I’ve always been drawn to the sound and rhythm of the English language. Just like gymnastics, I’m still working to improve my English skills, and I’m excited to grow together with everyone at Tumble Kids. I’ll support you with passion and heart—thank you for having me!
Hi ! I’m Yuka and I was born in Singapore and I grew up here, in Kyoto.
When I was in college, I studied abroad in the U.S., as an exchange student.
I mainly studied about education and developmental psychology.
After graduating from college, I started working as an English teacher at junior high and high schools in Japan.
So I’m really good at understanding children’s feelings, and I would like to watch over them with warmth.
Around 6 years ago, I left my teaching job to focus on parenting, and now that my son has started elementary school, I’ve gone back to work.
Now that I’m a mom and I really feel just how tough parenting is, you know.
I would like to share the feelings with you, especially for moms from foreign countries, it’s not easy raising kids in a different culture.
As I’m working here, I’m making sure to put safety first.
Having fun is only realistic when it’s safe.
Hello! My name is Jamin, and I’m excited to be here in Japan, coming to you from my home in Jamaica!
My life has always revolved around gymnastics. I spent 15 years as a competitive athlete and was honored to be part of the Jamaican National Team. Much of my early passion for the sport was fostered during my club days under my head coach, Coach Nishida. We had such positive experiences, especially with the fun gymnastics games and challenges—those are the kind of memorable moments I am eager to recreate with the children here!
I bring valuable coaching experience from both sides of the world. I spent time coaching at Nishida’s Gymnastics in Jamaica and later coached the boys’ program at GeForce Gymnastics in the U.S. After a period away, I realized how much I missed the gym and the satisfaction of seeing children progress. This feeling brought me back, and I’ve happily been working with Nishida’s Gymnastics again for the past year.
I’m truly excited about this opportunity to work with you, experience the wonderful culture of Japan, and form meaningful connections.
My main goal is simple: to make learning both English and gymnastics a positive and enjoyable experience. I want every child to feel comfortable, knowing that making mistakes is a natural and necessary part of how we learn and grow. I look forward to celebrating their progress and teaching them this important lesson: as long as you keep trying, you absolutely will improve.
Thank you so much for the warm welcome!
My name is Coach Kareem Johnson, and I have been at Nishida’s
Gymnastics for 15 years as a coach since 2009. I teach both
recreational and competitive program for both genders. I also teach at several prep schools.
As it relates to my success in coaching in 2015, I received my
certification for Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (M.A.G) Level One by
The International Federation of Gymnastics (F.I.G). I took my boys team to many international meets and they have accomplished many great results.
Finally, my first international competition as a senior gymnast was at
Sand Dollar/Whitlow Invitational 2017, in which I gained a new skill
for Horizontal Bar called Back Layout Dismount. I now compete at the Tachikawa Tachihi Cup Japan Open 2024.
I am currently still pushing myself to be the best coach and athlete!
初めまして！I’m Coach Shelma from Indonesia. I have been a cheerleading athlete since 2008 and have competed in many international events such as the Thailand Open 2012, the Cheerleading World Championships 2019 in Takasaki, Japan, and the Japan Open 2025 in Yokohama.
In cheerleading, I trained in tumbling and also attended gymnastics classes to build my physique.
Because I love cheerleading, gymnastics, and teaching children, I have been working as a coach in Indonesia from 2014 to 2025. I have coached many students in Jakarta, Indonesia, and we regularly participated in both national and international competitions.
In 2019, I also came to Japan for three weeks to participate as a coach in a program organized by the Foundation of Japan Cheerleading Association, where I gained teaching experience in Tokyo, Kawasaki, and Fukuoka.
Now, I am living in Kyoto, Japan since May 2025 and I will continue pursuing my passion for teaching children with all my heart. I hope the kids will learn and have fun in my classes.
どうぞよろしくお願いします！
Hello! I’m Coach Jerik from the Philippines.
I am currently a student at Kyoto University, studying Energy Science, and I joined Tumble Kids in April 2025. Back in the Philippines, I gained many valuable experiences as a volunteer teacher for children, which helped me discover how rewarding it is to support kids in their learning and growth.
Outside of my studies, I enjoy sports such as volleyball, badminton, and table tennis, as well as hobbies like gaming and café hopping. I also love experiencing different cultures—I have participated in different international conferences abroad, which showed me the importance of global connection and learning from others.
I believe that in sports—and really in anything—experiencing the journey of turning “I can’t” into “I can” is incredibly important. When I first started coaching gymnastics, I wasn’t used to it at all. But thanks to the support of my fellow coaches and continued effort, I was able to grow little by little.
This experience helps me encourage children to believe in themselves and keep trying, no matter where they start. As a student myself who is also learning Japanese, I can relate to the kids’ journey in learning English and gymnastics—step by step, with patience and fun.
Through my classes, I want to help children grow not only physically but also mentally, building confidence, resilience, and teamwork along the way. I’m very excited to learn and grow together with the Tumble Kids family!
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
Meet our Tokyo Team!
Hello!
Do you enjoy moving your body and talking with others?
The ability to control your body the way you want is something that develops through childhood experiences—and it’s said to be a wonderful form of cognitive stimulation as well. Among many sports, artistic gymnastics is closely connected to elementary school physical education, so becoming skilled at it can really boost a child’s confidence.
English, on the other hand, is a powerful tool for communicating with people from outside Japan. As the world becomes more globalized, today’s children will find English even more essential as they grow up.
At Tumble Kids, we support growth in both gymnastics and English—helping children build physical confidence and global communication skills.
I’ve been practicing artistic gymnastics for nearly 10 years, and it has given me a strong sense of confidence in my agility and movement. I also spent five years in Indiana, USA, where I studied early childhood education at a local community college and worked as an assistant teacher at a preschool.
Through that experience, I saw firsthand how powerful it is for children to feel the joy of “I did it!”—and how that feeling naturally leads to “I want to try even harder!” I truly believe that these small moments of growth help brighten their future.
With this belief in my heart, I’ve been proudly coaching at Tumble Kids in Kyoto. Now, as my family relocates to the Kanto region, I’m excited to support children in Tokyo—providing fun, meaningful experiences that help them grow strong and confident.
Let’s have fun together!
Coming soon!