On January 14 & 15, 2011, the USA Martial Arts Federation and the USA Judo/Jujitsu Association in cooperation with the US Jujitsu Federation, held a special Judo and Jujitsu seminar at the USA Martial Arts Training Centers National Headquarters in St. Albans, WV.

Seminar instructors were Shihan Roger Jarrett, 8th Dan, president of the USAMAF and the USAJJA, and Shihan Bruce Bethers, 8th Dan, president of the USJJF.  The two days of instruction included a variety of throwing, groundwork, and self defense applications of Judo and Jujitsu.  The dojo was packed full of participants in this very exciting annual event.  Students and instructors from all over West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio attended this years training.

A very special part of the weekend was the Black Belt examinations.  The Black Belt candidates put on a great display of techniques.  Chris Jarrett and Kevin Seagle received their Shodan (1st Dan) rank, Todd Stanford received his Nidan (2nd Dan), Chris Wood received his Sandan (3rd Dan), and Mike Jacobs did an outstanding job to move up to Yondan (4th Dan).  All of their ranks were certified in both Judo and Jujitsu.

A special treat was 11 year old Gunnar Stanford, the first student to receive Shodan (1st Dan) in the USAMAF children’s Aiki-Judo program.  He had to display an array of Aikido, Judo, and Jujitsu skills for his test.  He also teamed with his father to perform the traditional Judo “Nage no Kata”.  Congratulations to all the new promotions!

On April 16, 2011 the USA Martial Arts Federation in conjunction with the US Jujitsu Federation, will host the US Jujitsu National Championships and US Team Trials at St. Albans High School in St. Albans, WV.  This event will be held together with the 31st Mountain State Martial Arts Championships.  You don’t want to miss this very exciting competition.

View the full Photo Gallery Here

For more information go to www.usamaf.com or www.usjjf.org
 

Master Jarrett was on hand with his son Chris Jarrett to lead a special Sport Judo in Karate Competition Seminar for the Pennsylvania Shotokan Karate Club, ran by USA Karate National Coach, Dustin Baldis.  The seminar went very well and PSKC photographer Shelly Lipton was on had to capture the weekend with her camera.  Shelley Lipton is a psychologist and amateur sports photographer.  Part of her graduate research was in sports psychology.  Through the lens of her camera, she works to capture interesting and key moments in sports, drawing the viewer into the image with a heightened awareness of the situation.  Click Here to see the amazing set of photos she took over the weekend.