2008 US Ju-Jitsu National Championships
May 30-31 2008 in Akron, Ohio

- Official USJJF Report -

May 30 - June 1, 2008 -- The 2008 US JU-JITSU NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS were conducted at the Historic "Center for Martial Arts" in Akron, Ohio - another Great Success!

This year's National Championships was abit smaller (maybe the cost of Gas is now affecting Ju-Jitsu too. However, the enthusiastic and highly skilled participants from 14 states displayed Spectacular Competition!

The US Ju-Jitsu National Championship, Akron, Ohio conducted by the USJJF went really well. There were approximately 100 participants in the National Event and this year the competition was Exceptionally High Quality. The usual strong teams from the Schools of Ernest McPeek's, USA Self Defense Centers, Buffalo, NY and Karate John's School from New York made another Great Showing! And, other Great Teams such as Jim Harrison's Sakura Warrior Arts, Montana; Rob Peterson's Cyclone Martial Arts, Kentucky; Mike Holloway's 9 Traditions of Martial Arts, Ohio; Bo Kimly's Martial Arts Alliance, Ohio; Ed Kuras' Western Illinois Shotokan Karate & Ju-Jitsu Academy; Benjamin DeLeon's DeLeon Martial Arts, Wisconsin; Jim Caldwell's Shin Ryu Kan, Nebraska and Huo Takaha Shi, Ohio ALL "Took Home" multiple National Championships Medals.

The Pan American Chief Referee Michael Piaser again ably handled the Referee Course on Friday, while Mary Dipasquale and Chris from USA Self Defense Centers, New York managed the competitor "check-in" and Benjamin DeLeon, National Coach, handled the "weigh-in" process. As determined at the previous National Meeting, it was decided that the team pool will be formed as usual and consideration of the team selection for the Ju-Jitsu International Federation WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in Malmo, Sweden, 2008 should begin with this team pool. The final procedures for the USA Team Selection for 2008 will be completed during this summer.

The US JU-JITSU Annual Awards Dinner was held at the Radisson Inn Hotel in downtown Akron.

The Seasoned Elites Athletes such as Brian Dietz, Aron Caldwell, Karen Williams, Danielle Munoz, Torr Harrison, Ty Harrison, Tessa Dillenbeck, Zachary Cox, Aaron Le, Brian Torres and the Super New-Comers like Carla Marseilles, Aaron Peters ALL made Great Showings 2008! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

NEXT Big Event is the 2008 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in Sweden! TEAM USA - Here We Come!

After the Championships and the Annual Awards Dinner, an Ad Hoc Committee reviewed the Scheduling Plan for Future National Championships and it was decided that the "Last Weekend of June" will be the "weekend" for the annual US JU-JITSU National Championships. Currently, sites in New York, Wisconsin, Florida and Ohio are being considered for 2009's National Championships.

More Details coming!

Congratulations to ALL - Competitors, Officials, Referees and Coaches!

Respectfully submitted,

Lt. Col. Bruce R. Bethers (US ARMY Ret.)
President, USJJF
www.usjjf.org & www.ustkj.org

COMPETITION RESULTS