The 2003 US Ju-Jitsu Nationals and the 2003 North American Ju-Jitsu Open Cup Championships were held at the Holiday Inn, Batavia, NY USA which turned out to be a very, very good facility with meeting rooms surrounding the central grand ballroom where the competition was held. The organization of the tournament was absolutely excellent. Ernest McPeek, the General Secretary of the JJIF, promoted the event and assembled and arranged events to proceed without a hitch. The Championships drew people from across the United States: Canada, Wisconsin, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, North Carolina, California, New Jersey, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Montana.

The competition was really, really tough. The National Competition was on Saturday, the first day. US Team Members were strong as usual with Jose Rodriquez (Florida - Captain of the USJJF Team for the past JJIF World Championship in Uruguay), Anthony Brewer (California, Uruguay Team member), and Chad White (Ohio, Uruguay Team member) showing their growing experience with strong performances

Carl Wilcoxs group from North Carolina included four humongous guys and it was duly noted that their hobby was bull riding. This was indeed true, but professionally they were the SWAT Team from Ashville, N. Carolina and drove up to Batavia in a Cruiser, with permission from their Sheriff. (They are also on the PSDI National Taiho Jitsu Board.) Aron Caldwell, from Omaha, Nebraska, Kobudo Chairman Jim Caldwells son, fought up into the adult division and showed why he is going to be a champion wrestler on his high school team. He won a gold medal in his division in the North American Cup, defeating older and heavier opponents. Adam Pyles also fought up and did a respectable job.

This tournament was the first time the US JU-JITSU to present weapons kata competition, and Shihan James Caldwell, well noted in the Kobudo world, has been appointed to oversee the program and to ascertain that USJJ certified referees and rules conform to the US Kobudo (Kobudokan) international standards. The USJJF plans to present divisions for weapons forms and self-defense, which will include weapon against weapon and empty hand, defend against the bo. Also scheduled is an open self-defense category. The traditional kobudo weapons will be allowed together with the weapons of traditional ju-jitsu such as knife and sword.

At this time the USJJF presents duo competitions and kumite. The duo, consists of two people partnering for performance of defense techniques; each player taking turn on attack and defense against grasping, embracing, club or knife, and punch or kick. Two teams are called to the tatami and each team performs the four categories of attack. After each partnership is done with their presentation, judges score the actions, and the duo with the highest overall score wins. Eliminations proceed on the chart in the same manner as in the kumite competition. Right now, the attacks are fixed in the categories and the referee tells you which attack you must use. The USJJF has decided that in national competition entrants will have an open attack choice and that you can make up your own attack for you presentation in the four categories. We want to go an open sequence, where you can make up your own attack sequence and then present it. We want to be able to include weapons in this presentation and use open hands against weapons, and weapons against weapons.

The championships were both double-elimination, so everybody got to fight and fight and fight some more. Some people fought as many as ten matches. All the medals were really earned. The next day, Sunday, the North American Cup was held and a strong field was present. That also added to the number of fights that each athlete had. So every fighter there, I believe, thought they got thoroughly wrung out. I think this is particularly true in the heavy weight division where the ominously strong and powerful big guys from N. Carolina swept the division.

The refereeing was in the hands of Michael Piaser ably assisted by Joe Santocildes and was very well handled. As always there were a couple obnoxious calls and some irritations arose in the matches. Notably: There was a forced loss for an athlete because of alleged too-hard-punching to the abdomen; another was low kicks - bringing up the not-so-clear rule that states kicks above the groin are allowed. This caused several controversial below-the-belt whacks to be allowed. Also, there was some confusion over the concept that you are not allowed to punch after you hold. But what exactly consists of a hold - is it a cover? The USJJF Technical Committee is looking at these problems carefully and will take its conclusions to the next World Technical Meeting in Spain.

We are also looking at what happens when you execute an overly strong punch to the abdomen and somebody doubles up and the match is stopped. Is that actually a penalty or not? If it is so considered, we will fight the ruling. Malicious techniques should not be allowed but each competitor should control their breathing and train their abs. Ju-Jitsu is not at all brutal in the competition, in fact it is quite safe, but the fighting competition is not for those who are soft or out of condition.

Annual National Congress was held the day before the championship and was the chaired by US JU-JITSU President Lt. Col Bruce Bethers. Although this was not a world championship year (the next being in Spain in 2004) plenty went on. After the customary Pledge of Allegiance and the certification of delegates, elections for officers were held. Re-elected by acclaim for another 5 years term were Col. Bruce Bethers - president (now Washington, DC), John Chatwood - treasurer (Nevada) and Ernie McPeek - general secretary (NY and acting general secretary). George Anderson (Ohio) was elected vice-president unanimously. So, the set for the next five years is Bethers, Anderson, McPeek, and Chatwood. The head of the coaching committee is TR McClanahan (Ohio), the principle national coach is Ben DeLeon (Wisconsin), and his named national assistant coach is Chris Harrison (Montana). The head of the refereeing committee remains Michael Piaser (Ohio), always aptly assisted by Joe Santocildes - who often travels with him. Welcomed at the Congress as affiliate membership were the representatives of Ju-Jitsu America and the AAU Ju-Jitsu and Small Circle Ju-Jitsu were also approved.

The big report was from the Ju-Jitsu International Federation World Congress in Slovenia. Representing the USJJF were George Anderson and Mike Piaser. At this time Paul Hoglund (Sweden) was elected to the presidency, replacing Rinaldo Orlandi (Italy), who was retained in position as the World Games representative. George Anderson was appointed Commissioner for the Americas, which is a great help for the USA. Professor Anderson was also given authority to proceed in trying to get more of the Caribbean and the Central American countries involved in our competition. This is going to be just absolutely super for the USA. In the report of the Central Technical Committee (CenTechCom) there was some discussion about the 2004 Championship in Spain and about the team selection and how we are going accomplish it in a fair and just manner. The CenTechCom introduced a detailed team selection plan approved by the President Bethers, which was approved unanimously.

The plan is somewhat elaborate, but it does give a fair shake to everybody. It means that you need to go to the championships so people can get a look at you - and, if you win the championships, you get put on the team pool. Then the team selection is chosen from the team pool. The Team Selection Committee will be chosen from a variety of committee positions, from different parts of the country, different styles, and will include at least 5 persons. The Executive of the US JU-JITSU Federation will be ex-officio with no vote except in case of tie and the same with the Chair of the Central Technical Committee, who will oversee the Team Selection, appointing a qualified person to act as Chair for the selection of each specific event selection.

An example of a properly setup TEAMSELCOM is as follow: 1. Ernest McPeek, New York, Technical 2. Ben DeLeon, Wisconsin, Coach 3. TR McClanahan, Ohio, Coaching Committee -4. Michael Piaser, Ohio, Referees Committee - 5. John Chatwood, Nevada, Technical 6. James Caldwell, Nebraska, Technical 7. Carl Wilcox, N. Carolina, Technical

It provides for excellent athletes who have not yet attended any US JU-JITSU events to have an opportunity to gain a berth on the team. It is difficult for them to do that, but we must allow for the best athletes in the United States access to the team selection process. The CenTechCom reports on the coaching committee were approved. All present agreed that the USJJF needs a secondary coach to assist he head coach and travel with the team. So, we selected the coach, Kris Harrison, the son of famous Jim Harrison. Rick is a terrific competitor, so he understands our competition very well.

President Bethers gave an outstanding Power Point presentation on the growth & progress of UNITED STATES JU-JITSU. It is too extensive to be placed here but look on the Internet at www.usjjf.org.

Note: On the eve of his 86th Birthday, USJJF Life Member, Professor Wally Jay was recognized for his Life-Time Achievements and his Original Contributions to the Ancient Art of Ju-Jitsu with a Gold Medal and the Presidents Leadership Award by the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF, The National Governing Body for Ju-Jitsu in the United States of America. Congratulations, Professor Jay!
 

2003 - UNITED STATES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS
JUNIOR DUO DIVISION  GOLD JOSHUA FALKER  -  NEW YORK                  ANTHONY FALKER NEW YORK  KUMITE DIVISIONS  JUNIOR KUMITE DIVISION ( UNDER 18)  GOLD ARON CALDWELL LAVISTA, NE  SILVER DAVID HUFNAGEL, LOCKPORT, NY  FEMALE LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION  GOLD -  JANET JOY SMITH WOODBRIDGE , VA  SILVER KARA MCBRAYER PERU, NY  FEMALE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION  GOLD JANELLE SNIDER LATHAM, NY  SILVER MADELINE ROSS ASHEVILLE, NC MALE ADULT DIVISIONS KUMITE WEIGHT CLASS 62 < 69 kg ( 137 152 lbs.)  GOLD PRIMO LUCIANO WEST SENECA, NY  SILVER BRIAN DIETZ COLUMBUS, OH  BRONZE ADAM PYLES CANEL FULTON, OH  WEIGHT  CLASS 69 <77 kg ( 153 170 lbs)  GOLD ANTHONY BREWER HAYWARD, CA  SILVER LARRY AEGERTER MARY ESTHER, FL  BRONZE GREG McELROY SEVILLE, OH WEIGHT CLASS 77 < 85 kg ( 171 187 lbs.)  GOLD JOSE RODRIGUEZ MARY ESTHER, FL  SILVER EDWARD SCHULTZ WALWORTH, WI  BRONZE KRIS HARRISON MISSOULA, MT WEIGHT CLASS 85 <94 kg ( 188 207 lbs)  GOLD CHAD WHITE AKRON, OH  SILVER JONATHAN SCRUGGS CANDLER, NC  BRONZE JOHN FRANKLIN- FT. WALTON BEACH, FL  WEIGHT CLASS 94 kg + ( 208 lbs +)  GOLD MATT MELTON ASHEVILLE, NC  SILVER CHRISTOPHER GANT ASHEVILLE, NC  BRONZE MATTHEW KISER CANDLER, NC	Special Award presented at the Awards Banquet Best Technique Award - Junior (Male or Female) - Mr. Aron Caldwell Best Technique Award - Senior (Male or Female) - Mr. Jose Rodriquez Outstanding Senior Female Ju-Jitsuka - Ms. Janelle Snider Outstanding Senior Male Ju-Jitsuka - Mr. Chad White Outstanding Junior Male Ju-Jitsuka - Mr. Dave Hufnagel Outstanding Senior Male Competitor - Mr. Anthony Brewer Outstanding Senior Female Competitor - Ms. Janet Joy Smith Outstanding Junior Female Competitor - Ms. Madeline Ross Outstanding USJJF National Championships Referee - Mr. James Caldwell Outstanding USJJF Coach of the Year - Mr. Ben DeLeon USJJF Man of the Year - Mr. George E. Anderson USJJF Sadaki Nakabayashi Technical Excellence Award - Lt.Col. Bruce R. Bethers USJJF President's Leadership Awards - Ms. Kathy Howdieshell and Mr. Richard McPeek USJJF Instructor of the Year - Earl Delvalle
2003 - NORTH AMERICAN JU-JITSU OPEN CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS
FEMALE LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION GOLD ANNELIESE RECKEWITZ - CANADA SILVER MADELINE ROSS USA FEMALE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION GOLD JANELLE SNIDER USA SILVER SOFIE WINKELS CANADA MALE DIVISION- 69 <77 kg ( 153 170 lbs) GOLD ARON CALDWELL - USA SILVER BILL BRICKMAN - CANADA	MALE DIVISION  77< 85kg ( 171 187 lbs) GOLD EDWARD SCHULTZ - USA SILVER DAVID BAKER USA BRONZE JOSE RODRIGUEZ - USA MALE DIVISION 85 < 94 kg ( 188 207 lbs ) GOLD CHAD WHITE - USA SILVER ADAM NEROD - CANADA MALE DIVISION 94 kg +  (208 lbs + ) GOLD MATT  MELTON - USA SILVER GARY PARDON - CANADA