The following is a special announcement from Miki Takemori, Chairperson of the Shufu Board of Examiners:
In January of 2021, due to the present situation with the COVID virus, the Shufu BOE voted to allow judo promotions on a Sensei recommendation (without testing) for this one time only.
The Shufu BOE met via Zoom connection on Saturday, March 6th. Congratulations to the following individuals on their judo promotions:
Shodan
Matthew Ueno (WJC)
Akim Belabed (Hui-O)
Daniel Saeed Vatandoost (NIH)
Rafael Morales, Sr (WJC)
Thomas Tedesso (Navy)
Yasmin Alamin (Dale City)
Nidan
Andrew Stone (College Park)
Edgard Etoundi-Ngono (WJC)
Sandan
Larry Lessard (Shinzan)
Rob Gouthro (Hui-O)
Hiliare Notewo (College Park)
Yodan
Lisa Capriotti (Hui-O)
Myrle Derbyshire (Toshi Budokai)
Godan
Rachel Friedrich (WJC)
The following individuals have been recommended to their promotions but must be submitted to the USJF National Promotional Committee which will meet in April of this year:
Rokudan
Karl Tamai (College Park)
Diane Jackson (Hui-O)
Dave Melton (Melton Judo Club)
Shichidan
Teri Takemori (Jason Morris Judo Center)
Hachidan
Richard Hugh (Unattached)
I would like to thank Karen Whilden (Rank Registration Chair) and her helpers – Fran Vall, Monty Burton, Margie Tamai Kettl, and George Antoniou – for their incredible work in assisting the above individuals in completing their Form 20 and all the necessary documents.
Miki Takemori
Chairperson
Shufu Board of Examiners
Did you know that Shufu has an Athlete Funding Program?
Shufu’s Athlete Funding
Program provides reimbursement ($150 to $300) for athletes competing in National and
International level events. Juniors, Seniors, Masters/Veterans, and Kata competitors
can all apply to the Shufu Athlete Funding Program. If you have been a member of Shufu for at least 2 years and have participated in any of the events listed below, then you should consider applying for Shufu’s Athlete Funding Program!
2025 USA Judo Youth National Championships
2025 USA Junior Olympic National Championships
2025 USA Judo Senior National Championships
2025 USA Judo President’s Cup
2025 US Open
2025 USJF/USJA Nationals
2025 Pan American Cups or 2025 Pan American Championships
2025 IJF Point Events (Grand Prix, Grand Slams, or Championships)
Please note that these are not the only tournaments which will be considered for funding.
Please go to the Funding Support for Athletes link for the complete details.
Shufu Shinbun is BACK !
This newsletter is presented in memory of Malcolm Hodges who was a dedicated Shufu and Washington Judo Club member for many years and wrote and was the editor of the monthly Shufu Shinbun newsletter.
