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.