Meet the new Shodans !!

(and maybe learn something about Sensei Miyazaki that you probably didn’t know)

John Waite

R. Wayne Brown

November 2, 2013

Shufu congratulates its two members who were elevated to the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) at the semiannual Shufu Promotional, held today at the College Park Recreation Center in College Park, Maryland.  Dozens of junior and senior judoka from throughout Shufu participated in the hours-long written examination, skills testing, and individual competition, for advancement in judo rank.

The highlight of the day was the announcement of the names of those promoted, accompanied by smiles, cheers, and hugs all around.  But the awarding of the rank of Shodan traditionally holds a special place for all in attendance, as those men and women who have studied and trained for years are asked to come forward to receive their new rank and belt from a senior ranking member of the Board of Examiners.

In this case, it was Sensei Tsuyoshi Miyazaki, hachidan (8th degree black belt), of the Washington Judo Club, 3-time winner of the

Sensei Tsuyoshi Miyazaki

Outstanding Athlete award of the All-Japan Championships and recent recipient of the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for his work in judo education in the USA, who made the special

presentation to two judoka.  Each was called by the chairman of the Board of Examiners, Mr. Tad Nalls, to stand before the gathering of the large group of students and senior judoka as family, friends, and supporters also looked on, and as Sensei Miyazaki awarded their new rank.

Special cheers were given up for Wayne Brown, of Hui-O Judo in Beltsville, MD, and for John Waite, of Alden Judo in East Lansdowne, PA.  Although each stood in front of the group briefly, receiving the loud congratulatory applause, this was a moment that each person who attains the rank of black belt probably remembers for his or her entire life.

Lauren Faust

Robert Hunt

Shufu also awarded three advanced black belt degrees.  Lauren Faust, from Hui-O Judo in Beltsville, Maryland, and Robert Hunt, who hails from Budokan Judo in Dunkirk, Maryland, were awarded Nidan (2nd degree black belt).

Wayne Stone, of the College Park Judo Club was awarded his Sandan (3rd degree black belt).

Wayne Stone

After the ceremonies had concluded, the new Shodans were asked to reflect upon the moment and its meaning to them.

John Waite donning his black belt for the first time

Dr. John Waite described his feelings: “Well, I’m exhilarated for several reasons.  First of all, I’m the first black belt my sensei Donna Smyth has had, and that sets it apart. There can only be one first, and that’s special between the two of us.  Second, with my sons, they’ve been in other martial arts and have black belts, but I’m the first black belt in the family

The Waite Family

in judo so now when I tell them something they’d better listen!  So it’s a family thing.  We have a small club which is family-oriented, so it’s special all the way around.  I’m exhilarated.  I’m floating!”

Mr. Wayne Brown: “I’m feeling elated!  I’ve been playing judo for 42 years – I started at the University of Maryland,

R. Wayne Brown addressing the group

College Park.  My first sensei, Don Quesada, may he rest in peace, was a retired Air Force colonel, and he taught me everything I needed to take me through this time in life.  I turned 60, and said `Now’s the time to get my black belt`.  But this is just the beginning.  The beauty of it is that one of the requirements for black belt is to have a referee certificate.  And so as I started to go through the process of obtaining my referee certificate, I discovered another aspect of judo that I really enjoy, and that’s refereeing.  I’m looking forward to coaching and more randori in the many dojos (clubs) that are in the yudanshakai (black belt organization).  So today my feelings are elation, and of gratitude for the many people who have helped me along the way.  My sensei is Kevin Tamai – I’m spending my time between Hui-O (Beltsville) and D.C. Judo with Terence McPartland.  But I’m looking forward to interacting more and more with the many senseis who are in the yudanshakai, to go to Lancaster (for the Shufu Open November 16th) , but basically just to continue to do judo and passing it on.  It’s a great sport, an olympic sport, and is not full of deadly techniques.”

Early on the day of the Promotional, Shufu Yudanshakai had its semiannual meeting, led by president John

Shufu President Emeritus John Anderson, Hachidan (8th degree black belt)

Morrisson.  Of particular note was the awarding of the first President Emeritus designation to Sensei John Anderson, long-time sensei of the Baltimore Judo Club, who was president of Shufu for many years.

At the end of the day, all were reminded of the next tournament, the Shufu Open Championships, to be held in Lancaster, PA in two weeks, on Saturday, November 16th.

Please also keep January 25, 2014, free on your calendars, for the annual Referee Clinic, with guest speaker and IJF-A referee Dr. Gary Berliner.

Junior Promotions         Senior Promotions

 More Photos from Promotion Day

And Even More, from Roy Nanjo