We are proud to announce the USJF & USJA Grassroots Nationals is coming up July 22nd-24th!

Please see the attachments and visit the website for more information.
We are proud to announce the USJF & USJA Grassroots Nationals is coming up July 22nd-24th!
Please see the attachments and visit the website for more information.
Location: Penfield, NY
Founder/Owner: Heiko Rommelmann Jr
Interview by Hannah Martin
Bushido Kai Judo, Inc. has been around in one form or another since 1978. The club is run by chief instructor Heiko Rommelmann Jr. with the help of main instructors Jeff Giunta and Jeff Bradway. The club also has numerous black belts that also help coach. Bushido Kai Judo Inc. is the 6th largest USJA club with one of their greatest achievements being USA Judo’s National Over-All Kata Champions for 18 years!
What makes your club unique?
HR: “What makes Bushido Kai Judo, Inc unique is the fact that they are a recreational club that runs out of Penfield Recreation Center. Participants range from first time judo players to world level. It is a family-oriented club with many parents and children working out together. Currently the club has over 100 members and is the 6th largest club in the USJA.”
What are some of Bushido Kai Judo, Inc’s biggest achievements?
The biggest achievement of Bushido Kai Judo, Inc is Sensei Heiko Rommelmann, Jr and Sensei Jeff Giunta’s kata record: They have been USA Judo’s National Over-All Kata Champions for 18 years. They have been on seven Pan-Am Teams (highlights include gold in 07, 08 and 18), eight World Teams and have won World Masters. They have been all over the world and taught at many camps and clinics all over the US.
Bushido Kai also has had several other successful kata teams that have won Nationals, and some have represented the US at the highest levels in kata. These teams include Kerry Forster and Kirsten Weisbeck, Kerry Forster and Jennifer Chast, Kevin Ozs and Chris Arena, Heiko Rommelmann, Jr and Mark Chast. In fact, in 2009 half of the US Kata Team that was selected and competed came from Bushido Kai.
Although Bushido Kai produces many kata champions, they are not strictly a kata club. Many of the students have very impressive shiai records including Will Setter was ranked #3 in the US in 2010, Cory Giunta -Junior national champion, Heiko Karl Rommelmann – Junior national champion, Molly Sauter – Junior national champion, Melissa Eschbach – Junior national champion. Numerous other students have won at the local, state, national, Pan-Am, and World Masters level.
Where do you see your club in the future? Future goals of the club.
HR: “In the future, we hope to have students that get to experience the same opportunities that we have had the fortune to experience through judo. We hope to produce people with good human character. People who uphold the core values of judo: courage, respect, modesty, friendship, honor, sincerity, self-control, and politeness.”
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 April 2022 Dan promotions:
Christopher Jones | Shodan | North Star Martial Arts |
Robert Moore | Shodan | Pro-Fit Judo |
Christopher E. Jones | Nidan | Roanoke Judo Club |
Michael Elliott | Nidan | Bowling Green Kentucky Judo Club |
Michael L. Stone | Rokudan | Harrisburg Brazilian Jui Jitsu & Judo LLC |
Certified Rank Examiner Program – Update
If you are interested in becoming a Certified Rank Examiner, complete the CRE Application & a mock Promotion Packet, forward to the National Office and someone from the CRE Committee will follow up with you on next steps. For additional information, logon to: USJA.net, Dashboard, Committees, CRE.
USJA Judo Rank Promotion System – DO YOU KNOW?
Club promotions are not a valid rank credential. To ensure your students continue to be motivated, conduct timely promotions. We have students that have been in the same rank for multiple years.
No jump promotions (skipping a grade) are permitted in the USJA Rank System. Once a student is registered in any Judo rank, he/she can be promoted only to the next higher rank and must fulfill all of the requirements for that rank before being promoted.
July Quarterly Promotion Call – The next USJA Judo Rank & Certification call will take place in July 2022. Promotion applications for Rokudan and above will be considered during this call. Your promotion packet must be sent to the National Office by June 1, 2022, to be considered during the July call.
If you have lost or forgotten your sign-on to USJA.net, contact the USJA National Office and they will assist you with retrieving your username and password.
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.
Correction from March Newsletter – We had Mr. Schiebout’s promotion listed in the incorrect club.
Ryan Schiebout | Sandan | Sioux Falls Hapikido & Judo Club |
Congratulations to the following March 2022 Dan promotions:
Scott Bruckerhoff | Shodan | Konjo |
Andre Hengchua | Shodan | Milestone Martial Arts |
Greg G. Garnett | Shodan | Victoria Judo & Jujitsu Club |
Karl M. Grebner | Shodan | Downtown Martial Arts Academy |
Charles Braun | Nidan | Hudson Valley Judo Club |
Certified Rank Examiner Program – Update
If you are interested in becoming a Certified Rank Examiner, complete the CRE Application, forward to the National Office and someone from the CRE Committee will follow up with you on next stesps. All levels of CRE are now required to renew their certification every four years. Be sure that your USJA Membership, Chartered Club Membership, Background Screening, CDC Heads Up and Safe Sport are all current. For additional information, logon to: USJA.net, Dashboard, Committees, CRE.
USJA Judo Rank Promotion System – DO YOU KNOW?
Looking for the links for Background Screens, Safe Sport and Heads Up Concussion Training? Logon to USJA.net, go to your Dashboard, look for the Committees site on left side of your screen, drop down to CRE Committee, you will find the links to all three requirements at the bottom of that page.
Need help with Black Belt Promotions?
Reach out to your local CRE’s or the CRE Committee to assist with these situations and others. A list of CRE’s and their location are posted on USJA.net, Committees, CRE.
July Quarterly Promotion Call – The next USJA Judo Rank & Certification call will take place in July 2022. Promotion applications for Rokudan and above will be considered during this call. Your promotion packet must be sent to the National Office by June 1, 2022, to be considered during the April call.
If you have lost or forgotten your sign-on to USJA.net, contact the USJA National Office and they will assist you with retrieving your username and password.
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 February 2022 promotions:
Recent Dan Promotions
Bryan Kilan | Shodan | Emerald City Judo |
Abner Gabriel De Oliveria Campos | Shodan | Emerald City Judo |
Shawn T. Hale | Shodan | Toshi Dojo |
Joshua A. Montemayor | Shodan | Toshi Dojo |
Daniel Braun | Nidan | Hudson Valley Judo Club |
James Park | Nidan | Judo Dojo Yukidaruma |
Brian Butler | Nidan | Armstrong County Judo Club |
Paul E. Haben | Sandan | Inochi Judo |
Ryan Schiebout | Sandan | SOHK Judo Club |
Certified Rank Examiner Program – Update
The Certified Rank Examiner Program is up and running. There was an error in the announcement going out to all blackbelts concerning promotion points for CRE certification. USJA will maintain points for certification and annual points, but the individual sign-off points have been eliminated.
If you are interested in becoming a Certified Rank Examiner, complete the CRE Application and forward to the National Office. All levels of CRE are now required to renew their certification every four years. Be sure that your USJA Membership, Chartered Club Membership, Background Screening, CDC Heads Up and Safe Sport are all current. For additional information, logon to: USJA.net, Dashboard, Committees, CRE.
USJA Judo Rank Promotion System – DO YOU KNOW?
You can only use the on-line promotion option for juniors and kyu grades. You cannot use it for Dan ranks.
Claiming Promotion Points for Refereeing, Coaching & Certifications (You must be ACTIVE):
Background Screens are on-line only now. You cannot submit a BGS paper form.
If you have lost or forgotten your sign-on to USJA.net, contact the USJA National Office and they will assist you with retrieving your username and password.
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 January 2022 promotions:
Recent Dan Promotions
Michael T. Pittman | Shodan | River City Martial Arts/Grants Pass |
Aaron S. Burk | Shodan | Iron Forged Martial Arts |
Tony Oliveri | Shodan | Bushido Kai Judo, Inc. |
Steven Hernandez | Nidan | SOHK Judo Club |
Eric Mott | Sandan | Samurai Judo Association |
Ronald E. Chapman | Rokudan | Chikarakogeki |
Hector M. Negron | Rokudan | San Yama Bushi Judo Club |
Jon W. Sanfilippo | Hachidan | West Bend Judo Club |
Certified Rank Examiner Program
The Certified Rank Examiner Program is up and running. If you are interested in becoming a Certified Rank Examiner, complete the CRE Application and forward to the National Office. All levels of CRE are now required to renew their certification every four years. Be sure that your USJA Membership, Chartered Club Membership, Background Screening, CDC Heads Up and Safe Sport are all current. For additional information, visit USJA.net, Committees, CRE.
USJA Judo Rank Promotion System – DO YOU KNOW?
The last version of our manual was completed on December 22, 2020. There have been a few updates since that time. Do I need to buy a new manual every time there is an update? No! Sign-in to your USJA profile, search for “Printable Forms”, at the top of the list, you will find “12/20 Rank Promotion System, Page Updates”. You can either download to your computer or you can print the pages off and replace the old pages in your manual.
If you have lost or forgotten your sign-on to USJA.net, contact the USJA National Office and they will assist you with retrieving your username and password.
Reinstatement of Junior and Senior KYU Promotion Fees
The Board of Directors met via a Zoom Conference Call on November 5, 2021. At that time, it was determined that the fees for Junior and Senior KYU promotions would be reinstated as of December 2, 2021.
Q2 Promotion Board Meeting set for April
The next USJA Judo Rank & Certification call will take place in April 2022. Promotion applications for Rokudan and above will be considered during this call. Your promotion packet must be sent to the National Office by February 18, 2022, to be considered.
The next USJA Judo Rank & Certification call will take place in April 2022. Promotion applications for Rokudan and above will be considered during this call.
This is not an automatic process. You must:
Rokudan – Judan
Your promotion packet must be sent to the National Office by February 18, 2022, to be considered during the April call.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Respectfully,
Donna C. Turk
Chair, USJA Promotion Board
Location: Riverside, California
Founder/Owner: Brian Money
The Riverside Youth Judo Club is the largest USJA club. They have the largest and most focused Special Needs (Adaptative) judo program – one of the largest in the World. They sponsor 100% over 60% of their students who have challenges with paying for full tuition and materials such as Judo Gis. All instructors and staff are completely volunteer.
Each year they host the only Special Needs judo tournament- U.S. Special Needs Judo Championships (Except during Covid) They also host the largest All-Female judo tournament each year. The tournament is called the All-Women’s Breast and Ovarian Cancer Charity Tournament. They had over 200 female competitors at their last tournament (before COVID) and raised $15,000 for charity.
How has your dojo overcome the COVID crisis? How long were you closed? When did you reopen?
BM: The Covid issue was very challenging since we are part of a police organization. We had to completely shut down for almost a year when the pandemic first hit. We did Zoom judo to keep as many of our students engaged as possible, but it wasn’t the same. We were permitted by the State and County to reopen in June 2021 and have been doing in person classes since. We purchased two large HEPA filters for the club and we keep our doors open for better circulation. Spectators are asked to sit outside, but we have a large TV monitor with them that allows them to watch the classes in real time. We do wellness and temperature checks for each person entering the club. We had to continue classes wearing masks for the past two months because of state mandates. It’s difficult with the masks but surprisingly, no one complains as it seems everyone is happy to be back on the mat.
What do you consider to be the biggest achievement of the club?
BM: Our work with At-Risk and Adaptive students is our biggest achievement. We were featured in a National 4-part TV documentary called “Our Kids- Closing the Opportunity Gap” by Dr. Robert Putnam. We were also recognized by the National ARC group for Disabled Americans with an Inclusion Award and have a plaque on the National Wall of Respect. We are also recognized as an Outstanding Sports Team and listed in the Riverside Sports Hall of Fame.
Tell us about your Judo Program.
BM: Currently, we have about 10 Judo classes each week. Also, we should note that we mainstream about 85% of our Developmentally Disabled students into our typical classes.
These include Pre-Judo: designed for small kids to introduce them to judo using fun games and exercises. The class prepares the students to participate in a more formal beginning judo class.
Beginning Judo (twice a week) basic, formal judo class to prepare the student for intermediate/advanced judo.
Intermediate /advanced Judo (6-12 years old): typically, yellow belts and above. More focus on advanced training and competition judo.
Intermediate /advanced Judo (12-17 years old) same as above but with our older kids.
We also use about 1/3 of our mat to work one on one with our Adaptive students who require more focused training.
Adult Judo (18 and over) Twice a week and held at UC Riverside. We bring the classes to our youth club when the UC’s are shut down
Police Judo: This class teaches judo to our area’s law enforcement personnel. It’s become quite popular with 5 different police agencies participating in the weekly training.
Our club is large, but we often have up to 100 people on the mat at a time. We are asking the City and Police Department to allow us to open another room in our lot to allow for more students.
Interview by: Hannah Martin
USJA continues to believe our black belts are more than qualified to evaluate and promote the students within their club. What we have learned since eliminating the CRE program:
To assist with these situations and others, we have decided to reinstate the CRE program, effective February 1, 2022.
Certified Rank Examiner (CRE) Levels
Current Valid CREs
Eligibility
Once someone reaches the rank of Sandan or higher they are eligible to become a USJA Certified Rank Examiner (CRE), after they show their understanding and ability to follow all the requirements of the promotion procedure. This program allows certain individuals meeting the requirements to examine others for rank promotions.
Promotion Sign-off Requirements
Annual Promotion Points for CRE Committee
Points upon certifying | Annual points | |
Certified Rank Examiner | 2 | 1 |
Regional Certified Rank Examiner 6 3 | 6 | 3 |
National Certified Rank Examiner | 8 | 4 |
Master Rank Examiner | 10 | 5 |
Each black belt RFP signed off 1
(Note: You only receive points for signing off on Black Belt Promotions.)
CLICK HERE FOR THE CERTIFIED RANK EXAMINER APPLICATION FORM
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
Need help with something?
We look forward to speaking with you.