USJA Judo ranks are a measure of a student’s achievement in Judo. They are a testimony of skill, knowledge, and 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 October promotions:
Recent Dan Promotions
| Michael A. LaRocca | Shodan | Buzzards Bay Judo & Jujitsu |
| Nicole L. Moore | Shodan | Stockton Judo Club |
| Timothy Kennedy | Shodan | SOHK Judo Club |
| Michael A. Tinker | Shodan | Buzzards Bay Judo & Jujitsu |
| Mark A. Plante | Shodan | Buzzards Bay Judo & Jujitsu |
| Antonio Cardenas | Shodan | Yuma Judo Club |
| Alex Ray Henley | Shodan | Insight Brazilian Jiu Jitsu |
| Eduardo Salazar Rocha | Nidan | Kino Judo Dojo |
| Eddie Avelar | Nidan | Ground Dwellers Judo |
| David Parritt | Hachidan | Samurai Judo & Jujitsu |
Changes on the Promotion Board
After several years of serving on the Promotion Board as a member and the Vice Chairperson. Lynn Roethke has decided to step down and allow others this opportunity for growth. Lynn has dedicated her life to Judo and teaching others. As a two time Olympian and medalist, it has been an honor to have her as a member of the USJA Promotion Board. Thank you, Lynn, for your service to the Promotion Board and the Judo community.
With the recent Board of Directors election, the Promotion Board lost one of their senior members, Andrew Connelly. As he takes on the role of USJA President, we want to wish him well in this new endeavor. Although it is a loss for the Promotion Board, it is a positive move for our organization and the Board of Directors. Best of luck Andrew in your new role.
I would like to introduce the newest member of the Promotion Board. Please welcome Heiko Rommelmann, Jr. to the team. Heiko is the head coach at Bushido Kai Judo, Inc. in Penfield, New York. Bushido Kai Judo is a class “A” club with 77 current members.
As an athlete, Heiko participated in Judo Shiai and Kata as well as Jujitsu. Some of the highlights of his career as an athlete include: 18 Time Over-all National Kata Champion, he represented the US at 7 Pan-Am Championships for Kata winning a Gold Medal in the 2007 and 2008 games. He has represented the US at 8 World Kata Championships and is the 2005 World Masters Kata Champion (Kime-no-kata). Heiko is a 7-time Empire State Games medalist and a 7-time Am-Cam International medalist.
He currently serves on the Kata Certification Committee as Chairperson, a member of the National Awards Committee, a Regional Coordinator and Kata Instructor/Judge.
Heiko brings a wealth of judo experience to the Promotion Board. Please join me in welcoming Heiko Rommelmann, Jr. to the team.