New Shodan Sachi Ragosta
In Her Own Words…
On Saturday, November 3rd, Charlottesville, Virginia’s Sachi Ragosta, a 17 year old Senior at Western Albemarle High School, became the most recent Shodan (1st degree black belt) of Shufu Yudanshakai (Capital Black Belt Organization). In addition to bringing an outstanding competitive record to the promotional examination, held at the College Park, Maryland Community Center, Ragosta was required to pass a nearly three hour technical examination under the supervision of the Shufu Board of Examiners, and have demonstrated a kata (series of judo throws) to the Board’s satisfaction.
Ragosta’s coach, Gene Shin, Ph.D., a fifth degree black belt and the Sensei at the SSJ Judo Club in Charlottsville, was understandably proud of his student:
“Sachi began training in Judo in the Shufu Yudanshakai at age 5. From the beginning as a five year old, Sachi displayed a talent for the sport of judo; she worked hard, took instruction very well, and regularly competed successfully against boys. As she grew older, she earned national ranking in her age and weight class, and soon developed serious aspirations of pursuing high-level international competition. She wanted to train in Japan, so she convinced her parents to allow her to live with her grandparents so she could train in the local police dojo. In these ways, Sachi not only determined her own path, but provided a powerful, positive model for her dojo. Sachi achieved her dream when she earned a spot on the US Team to compete in the 2011 Cadet World Championships in Kiev.”
Shufu congratulates Sachi and looks forward to even more of her accomplishments!
There were three other high level promotions at the event:
Daniel Grunberg, of the College Park, Maryland Judo Club, promoted to Nidan (2nd degree black belt)
Ernest Ojito, of the Washington, D.C. Judo Club, promoted to Sandan (third degree black belt)
Mark Smith, of the Hui-O Judo Club in Beltsville, Maryland, promoted to Yodan (fourth degree black belt)
Full Results
Photos courtesy of Chuck Medani
