Happy New Year! USJA Judo ranks are a measure of a student’s achievement in Judo. They are a testimony of skill, knowledge, and sportsmanship, attained through diligent study, practice, tournament participation and devotion to Judo. Congratulations to the following December promotions:
Recent Dan Promotions
| Kynnyth LeBlanc | Shodan | SOHK Judo Club |
| Erin Clausing | Shodan | Ohio Combat Sports Academy Judo |
| Dr. Nicolas Anthony Valcik | Shodan | Dallas Judo & Jiu Jitsu |
| Pradiptya Fasha Adani | Shodan | Judo-Jujitsu |
| Barron Taido Yanaga | Nidan | Yuma Judo Club |
| Jesse Martin | Nidan | Honor Martial Arts |
| Leo Benavides | Sandan | U.S.L.E.T.A./U.S.L.E.J.A. |
| Daniel P. Raney | Sandan | White Dragon Judo |
Certified Rank Examiner Program
We plan to reinstate the Certified Rank Examiner Program in 2022. If you are interested in becoming a Member of the Certified Rank Examiner Committee, please email me at donnaturk@aol.com.
In the meantime, make sure your USJA Membership, Chartered Club Membership, Background Screening, Concussion Training and Safe Sport are all current.
Promotion Board Members
Donna Turk, Chairperson, 6th Dan, Pensacola Judo, Florida
Ken Durand, Vice Chair, 7th Dan, Keene YMCA Judo, New Hampshire
Raymond Conte, Secretary, 6th Dan, St. Mary’s Institute, New York
Bruce Bender, 6th Dan, Marion PAL Judo, Indiana
Constance Halporn, 6th Dan, NYU Judo, New York
Heiko Rommelmann, 6th Dan, Bushido Kai Judo, New York
Mark Hays, 6th Dan, Unidos Judo Club, California
Randy Pierce, 7th Dan, Konjo Dojo, Missouri
Russell Burke, 7th Dan, Ohio Judan Judo, Ohio
James Bregman, Emeritus Member