Reno
Nevada recently hosted the "Spring Gathering" & JJIF/USJJF Referee Course!
Beginning April 22nd, USJJF & USAKF Representatives from twelve states
arrived into Reno for a National Organization Meeting and JJIF/USJJF Referee Course. The
enthusiasm and sense of Fellowship was "very high" among all of the National and
Regional Ju-Jitsu & Karate Leaders! Officially, the "Gathering" began on
Friday the 23rd, however many of the Delegates arrived a couple days early just
to have an opportunity to visit with the USJJF & USAKF National Officers and enjoy
Reno/Lake Tahoe’s Beautiful Points of Interest!
 On the 23rd, the Founder of the USJJF and USAKF, George Anderson,
USJJF President Bruce Bethers, Vice President Robert Carver; USAKF General Secretary James
Caldwell, and others were treated to a first class dinner at Inchiban Steak House in
downtown Reno by local Martial Artist, Norm Halverson. |
At the Friday Evening
Reception, lots of New Friends were made and old Friends "caught up" on past
& current events with long time Friends. The new video was viewed from the recent
Ju-Jitsu World Championships in Berlin of the Ju-Jitsu International
Federation. Several
of the attendees had not seen the International Competition before, so this was their
first exposure to the exciting competition program of the JJIF & USJJF!
Group photo from the 24th |
Hanshi Anderson and Shihan Bethers ready to "take
apart" the cake |
The Cake! |
This
"Gathering" was a "Significant" Event demonstrating the Cooperation
and "WORKING PARTNERSHIP" WORKING PARTNERSHIP" of the two major National Martial Art
Organizations: United States Ju-Jitsu Federation and the USA Karate Federation.
Hanshi
George E. Anderson, USAKF’s President (& Founder of the USJJF) spoke of the Long
History and Dynamic Future of the USJJF, the International Opportunities with the JJIF and
the POPULARITY of the Competition Program (both the DUO "Self Defense" and the
Kumite "Free Fighting" Programs. Bruce R.
Bethers, USJJF’s President, reviewed USJJF Mission = "Unifying all American
Ju-Jitsuka", USJJF Organizational Goals, Program Goals and Core Programs.
NOTE: During this same weekend, at the
Ju-Jitsu Congress held in Israel, the JJIF announced that everything has been accomplished
for the International Olympic Committee to recognize Ju-Jitsu as a Full Olympic Sport.
This is Great News!
The "Working Partnership" of both National
Directors and the Members of USJJF was also emphasized!
!
Just this Spring, over 20 new Regional Ju-Jitsu
Organizations are being added to the USJJF Family!
Representatives from the following states attended the
event: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Illinois, Ohio, Nevada, Nebraska, Washington D.C.,
Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.
The weekend Seminar included both Advanced
Ju-Jitsu & Karate training and a JJIF/USJJF Referee Course. Hanshi Anderson trained
the attendees in such karate concepts as "Kawashi" (passing thru your opponent)
and advanced techniques in Kumite and Ju-Jitsu.
Intense Concentration
The "other half" of the weekend was
dedicated to presenting the JJIF/USJJF Competition Program. Shihan Bethers gave a detailed
presentation on the key elements of both the DUO "Self Defense" and the Kumite
"Free Fighting" types of competition. After both lecture and "hands
on" training & practical experience, the attendees completed a written exam on
each of the two different types of competition. All Referee Course participants
"PASSED" their exams. Due to their "high scores" and Regional
Leadership Positions, President Bethers appointed all 12 Referee Graduates as
"Referee Trainers" for their respective states.
Shihan Bethers and Sensei Butler demonstrating
attacks from the Duo competition |
Demonstrating techniques |
Demonstrating techniques |
Jeanne Stelzer and Judy Halloran |
Hanshi Anderson and Shihan Bethers |
The new Class "C" Referee Graduates
include:
- Bruce G. Butler, Shihan Ryu Institute of California Anaheim,
California
- James A Caldwell, Shin Ryu Karate LaVista Nebraska
- Charles Carter, Sierra Ju-Jitsu & Karate Carson City,
Nevada
- Robert Carver, Shihan-Ryu Institute of Texas Webster, Texas
- John F. Chatwood, Sierra Ju-Jitsu & Karate Carson City,
Nevada
- Steve Davis, Family Karate Center Reno Nevada
- Judy K. Halloran, Shihan-Ryu Institute of Texas Webster,
Texas
- Johnny Linebarger, Ko Sho Karate Tucson, Arizona
- Jeanne G. Stelzer, Sierra Ju-Jitsu & Karate Carson City
Nevada
- Michael A. Talkington, Bloomington Judo Club Bloomington
Illinois
- Jim Venske Landolt Ju-Jitsu Academy Bentonville, Arkansas
Senseis Carver and Butler demonstrating the conduct of
the match
Shihan Bethers lecturing to the future referees
Later this year, USJJF
"Gatherings" and Referee Courses are being scheduled in the following states:
Oklahoma, North Carolina, Colorado, New York, Ohio and Florida.
Details will soon be posted on our Website!
Happy graduates and instructors
If you would like to have a Referee Course
taught in your area, please contact the National
Headquarters for more details. |
