AJJF 49th Annual National Convention Report

The convention was attended by 380 jujitsuka.

There were 365 people at the banquet Saturday night.

Convention Committees

History of Instructors

PROFESSOR TOM BALL, HACHIDAN, began jujitsu in 1957 with Bud Odom and received his Shodan in 1958. In 1964, as a Yodan, he taught at U.C. Davis where hundreds of students from around the world studied with him during the years 1964 to 1972. He was awarded the title of Professor in February of 1967. Prof. Ball is currently Sensei of Shingi Kan and teaches high school in Fort Jones, CA. Other martial arts experience include: Kempo Karate, Shotokan Karate, Taiji Chuan, Sansu Kung Fu, and Kali. He and his wife, Jan, have operated Camp Kodenkan at their ranch since 1973. Prof. Ball helped establish the AJJF Okazaki Restorative Massage Program, and sits on its Standards Commitee.

FRANK BORGES, SANDAN, began his martial arts training in judo and jujitsu in 1978. As sensei of Renkiohen Budokai in St. Helena, CA., he has trained ten students to their black belts. He has also trained in aikido, karate, taiji quan, wing chun kung fu, and arnis.

MAUREEN BROWNE, GODAN, began studying Danzan Ryu in 1970 with her brother Prof. Pat Browne. Maureen also holds the rank of Nidan, Fukushidoin in Aikido which she has been studying since 1971. In 1986 Maureen and her husband John Gussman started the Fox Valley Judo and Jujitsu Club. In 1992 they opened the Martial Arts Training Service in Aurora, IL., which is now home to the Fox Valley Judo and Jujitsu Club and the Fox Valley Aikikai.

PROFESSOR JANE CARR, SHICHIDAN, began studying jujitsu with sensei Mike Byrne in 1960. She has received a Dayang Is (a first degree black belt) from Joe Bueno in modern Arnis-Filipino Stick Play. Prof. Carr has served as school-head of the Redding Jujitsu Academy since 1981 and of the Redding Modern Arnis Club since 1985. She helped to establish the AJJF Okazai Restorative Massage Program. She received her professorship in 1982.

PROFESSOR JOHN CONGISTRE, HACHIDAN, started his martial arts training in 1952 in Oakland, CA. at Professor Ray Law's school. Prof. Congistre has studied and competed in sport judo, earning a Sandan rank. His martial arts training includes karate, kendo, and message. He currently teaches classes at Amador Judo and Jujitsu Studio in Livermore, CA, and serves as the AJJF treasurer.

PROFESSOR DON CROSS, ROKUDAN, began his jujitsu training in 1957 at age ten with Professors Ray and Marie Law in Oakland, CA. In the 1960's Prof. Cross studied extensively in taiji quan, judo, kenpo, Goju Ryu, Shotokan, and kendo, and has since trained in Sil Lum kung fu and Chi Gong. Prof. Cross has served on the AJJF Board of Managers from 1975 to 1995. As a massage instructor, he was instrumental in the development of the AJJF Okazaki Restorative Massage Program in 1980 and served on its steering commitee until 1993. Prof Cross is currently Shihan of Jujitsu-Do Martial Arts Center in Roseville, CA.

SENIOR PROFESSOR LAMAR FISHER, JUDAN, has practiced jujitsu since 1948 when he first became a student of Professor Estes. He taught at the Chico Judo and Jujitsu Academy from 1950 to 1972, achieving the rank of professor in 1956. Prof. Fisher has taught women's self-defense courses at Butte College and numerous police clinics throughout northern California. In 1972, Prof Fisher took over the Nibukikan in Chico, CA. Prof. Fisher is currently Senior Professor of the AJJF.

DENNIS ESTES, YODAN, began Danzan Ryu training in 1959 under Sensei Jay Moynahan, who was a student of Prof. Law. Dennis is currently training under Prof. Hudson. Dennis has trained in Judo, Daito Ryu, Danzan Ryu, Wing Chun, and Gojo Kyo Kai Karate. Dennis holds National certification as a police defensive tactics instructor. He holds Dan ranks with Kodenkan Yudanshakai, Daito ryu Aikijitsu, as well as the AJJF. He is Sensei of JoBu Shin Kan, in Eureka, CA.

BARBARA GESSNER, YODAN in both Jujitsu and Judo, began studying martial arts in 1972 at East Stroudsburg University, Pennsylvania, where she received both B.S. and M.Ed. degrees in Health and Physical Education with an emphasis on teacher preparation. She is currently Sensei of Rutgers Kodenkan where she teaches and is completing a Doctorate in Education. The first recipient of the Bert Aspinal Award, Barbara has served as A.J.J.F. Manager of Clinics for the past ten years, and prior to that, as Director of Clinics for Region IV.

WILLIAM GESSNER, YODAN, began his martial arts training at the YMCA in Stroudsberg, PA in 1964. In 1966, he was fortunate enough to be asked to follow Commadore Mann as instructor of the club. That year he founded the East Stroudsberg Kodenkan Judo Club at East Stroudsberg University. In 1968, through the East Stroudsberg Charter, classes were established as part of the curriculum for prospective teachers of physical education. The classes continued until 1989, when Bill retired as Professor Emeritus of physics. In 1973, he presented ``Physics in the Martial Arts'' to the Pennsylvania Academy of Science - this later published in the Proceedings of the Academy. Bill served as director/manager of region 4 from 1970-1992 and continues as Sensei of East Stroudsberg, holding the rank of Yodan in both jujitsu and judo.

PROFESSOR ROBERT HUDSON, ROKUDAN, began his jujitsu training in 1971 in Oakland, CA. with Sensei Mike McGurk. In addition to studying jujitsu, Bob is an instructor of Wing Chun gung-fu, and studies Chinese internal arts such as i quan and qi gong. Bob graduated from Professor Sig Kufferath's and Tony Janovich's Okugi class, where he received a KaiDensho and the teaching title of Shihan. Bob is a founding member of the AJJF Okazaki Restorative Massage Program and its Director of Technical Standards.

PROFESSOR TONY JANOVICH, GUEST INSTRUCTOR, began his Jujitsu study under Prof Kufferath at the age of 12. Currently a 7^th Dan, he received his professorship in 1989. In addition to the martial arts training he has received, Prof Janovich has also become a master of the Okazaki system of Restorative Therapy known as Seifukujitsu under Prof Kufferath which he currently practices as his vocation. A former police officer, he has taught for the Department of Defense, various police agencies and colleges. He has owned and operated the Kodenkan Jujitsu & Restoration Therapy for the past 20 years. Prof Janovich is the senior student and chief instructor of Prof Kufferath.

PROFESSOR TOM JENKINS, ROKUDAN, began his studies of the Kodenkan Danzan Ryu jujitsu system with Prof. Estes over 30 years ago at the Chico Judo and Jujitsu Academy. Prof. Jenkins teaches a variety of classes that include aikijujitsu and Kodenkan's "Teaching Scroll", the Mokuroku . He was promoted to professor in 1989 and is a member of the AJJF Examination Board.

SENSEI HAYAWO KIYAMA, SHICHIDAN, was born in 1936 in Kumamoto, Japan. He came to the United States in 1960 and trained from childhood in Takenouchi-Jujitsu and Kodenkan Judo. He is chief instructor of Coastal Judo Club and a certified United States Judo Federation Referee. Sensei Kiyama is also chief instructor of North America Daito Ryu Aiki Jujitsu Kodo Kai, authorized by the Menkyo Kaiden of Kitami, World Headquarters, Japan. He still trains frequently in Japan and his students come from all over North America and include Green Berets, Rangers, police officers, and secret service agents. Sensei Kiyama has been donating his time and been teaching in the United States since the late 1960's

PROFESSOR SIG KUFFERATH, GUEST INSTRUCTOR, began his study of Jujitsu under Prof Okazaki in 1937. He earned his black belt in 1941 and became an official instructor in 1942. Under Okazaki, he studied Chinese sticks arts, Kiai, Karate Jitsu, Nerve arts, Shigen no Maki, and Shinyo no Maki and further studied Naihan No Shodan and Kumite. This was in addition to all the kata arts of Danzan Ryu. He graduated Okazaki's Nikko Restoration Sanatorium Seifuku Jitsu course in 1943. Prof Okazaki made Kufferath chief instructor of his main dojo the Kodenkan in the late 1940's. After Okazaki's death in 1951, Kufferath was formally elected by the board of directors of the AJI to succeed Okazaki as head and Professor of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. Kufferath also holds black belt ranks in Aikido and Judo

PROFESSOR HERB LAGUE, ROKUDAN, started Jujitsu in 1951 under the training of his father James B. LeGue. From 1956 to date, to one degree or another, he has studied most hard and soft styles of martial arts. In 1986 he joined the AJJF under Larry Cary's dojo, his primary DZR teachers have been, Professors Bud Estes, Lamar Fisher, Tom Ball, Jane Carr, and James Musselman. In the early seventies he began sport Judo under Peir LaCarr, and through competition, earned his first Dan rank in Kodenkan Judo in 1971. In 1970 he also received his first Dan rank in DZR Jujitsu and shortly after became the Sensei of his present dojo, the Bushidokan. In 1994 he was elevated to Rokudan and also accepted a position on the AJJF Board of Professors. Herb represents the National Jujitsu community as its' National AAU Jujitsu chairman, adult/youth sports commitee member, and it's law and legislation representative. For the last few years his focus of teaching has been on AJJF and AAU growth through visiting dojos and teaching DZR seminars within the USA, Canada, and Europe.

ROY LONNBERG, YODAN, began Jujitsu under Prof Ball in 1960. Sensei Lonnberg was one of the founding members of the Redding JuJitsu Academy. Upon moving to San Franciso, he operated a club there from 1970-75. He relocated to Corning, NY where he taught a JuJitsu club at the community college from 1976-1982, which was followed by his present club at Cornell University in Ithica, NY. He has studied taiji, aikido, judo, yoga, Shotokan, Gojo Ryu Karate-Do, and iaido. Roy has held the post of area director for both regions 1 and 4, and has been Region 4 manager for the last 5 years.

PROFESSOR JAMES R. MUSSELMAN, SHICHIDAN, began his studies of jujitsu in 1948 at the Chico Judo and Jujitsu Academy under Prof. Estes. He started many jujitsu schools in Nevada and California while pursuing a career in broadcasting and television. In 1960, Prof. Musselman was promoted from Master degree to Professor. He is currently senior instructor of the KoDenKan Institute located in Belmont, CA where he actively teaches.

PROFESSOR IMI MULLINS, GODAN, began training at home with her sisters Betty (Wolf) and Myrtle (Oberman). Their father taught them Jujitsu techniques and underhis directions, established a foundation of massage through many hours of practice (head, hands, and feet) with him as the ``patient''. He also entered the three of them in a women's jujitsu class instructed by Iwalani Tanaka and Jackie Wong. In the early sixties, Betty, Myrtle, and Prof Mullins were trained by Miss Keiko Fukuda, the highest ranked female judoka in the Kodokan. They continued teaching both Kodenkan and Kodokan techniques until 1970 when health reasons made ``retirement'' the reasonable thing for Prof Mullins to do. Betty and Myrtle continued teaching for several years after Prof Mullins' retirement. In 1993, because of Prof Clyde Zimmerman's encouragement and support, Prof Mullins came out of retirement and returned to teaching. In 1994, Prof Mullins was promoted to Godan and Professor by Shoshin Ryu.

FRED NEUMANN, GODAN, GUEST INSTRUCTOR, has been studying martial arts for 35 years and has Dan ranks in numerous systems. During this time he has formally studied Judo, Karate, Aiki Jitsu, Aikido, Aiki sword, Iaido, Ken Jitsu and Kyudo. His most in-depth studies have been devoted to refining his knowledge and skill in Ryukyu Kempo karate, founded by Master Taika Oyata.

PROFESSOR WILLIAM G. RANDLE, HACHIDAN, began his training in Oakland, CA. under Prof Ray Law. Bill began teaching at the Santa Monica YMCA in 1959 where he taught through 1965. Bill then moved to Austin, TX where he taught at St. Edwards from 1965-1972. Bill then returned to CA in 1972 where he started the Westside YMCA dojo in West L.A. where he has been teaching for the last 25 years.

PROFESSOR RORY REBMANN, SHICHIDAN, started judo and jujitsu in 1959 at age 11 under Prof. Ray Law. He has competed in both jujitsu and judo competitions. As a part of his training, Prof. Rebmann studies Shotokan karate (Shodan), Kodenkan judo (Shodan), and Bushido jujitsu (Godan). Prof Rebmann also holds the rank of USLA Goshin Jitsu Shichidan and is a Master Rank examiner. He is currently Head Instructor of the Amador Judo and Jujitsu Studio, along with his family, Patricia (Shodan), Ashley (Shodan), and Ryan (Shodan). The Dojo was founded in 1973, and has hosted five National Conventions and five National AAU tournaments. Amador Studio is the largest dojo in the Tri-Valley area and is located in Livermore

RANDY SCHUSTER, SANDAN, began studying jujitsu in 1969 with the City of Davis Recreation program taught by Professor Ball's students from the Davis Ju-do Kai. He received his Shodan in 1981 and became Sensei of the Davis Ju-do Kai in 1993.

STEVE SECK, GODAN, began training at 9 in Minneapolis. He travelled to Japan in 1975 where he trained with the Nagasaki riot police for six months, returning as a Sandan. He won the 1977 National Colligiate Championships, and in 1978, 1979, 1980 won the U.S. Nationals. He was undefeated at the 1980 U.S. Olympic trials and the only American winner at the U.S. Open Internationals. Named to the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 1980. Steve currently teaches sport judo at Los Angeles Community College and at L.A. Trade Tech.

LORETTA CABACUNGAN SILVAGNI, SANDAN, started jujitsu with Glen Castillo, who had studied under Prof Ray Law. She continued training with Oran Kangas and co-instructed self-defense classes in the San Jose area. She studied aikido and karate at Santa Clara University, as well as kung-fu. With the help of Profs Congistre and Rebmann at the Saino dojo in Mountain View, she passed her Shodan exam. Later, she studied under Prof Gene Edwards, then Prof Hudson, who kazushied her into her Nidan. Loretta has taught numerous self-defense classes, and is Sensei of Napa Valley Jujitsu and is the AJJF Manager of Examinations. She received her Sandan in 1996.

Course Descriptions

YAWARA, PROFESSOR RORY REBMANN WHITE

Professor Law, one of Okazaki's instructors, had an excellent grasp of Yawara and we will bring out some of his principles and ``secrets'' in this class.

EFFECTIVE APPLICATIONS, PROFESSOR HERB LAGUE WHITE

Beyond kata, both classes will focus on the contiguous footwork needed to unify body motion as it correlates to all DZR arts from beginning levels to advanced levels and the path to effective combinations. Classes will include disclosure and skill development elementary for the deeper understanding needed to both learn and teach DZR as an effective tool within any martial art related scenario.

TRIANGLES AND LEVERAGES, PROFESSOR JAMES MUSSELMAN WHITE

Studying the theory of some ways of developing ``kuzushi,'' and taking advantage of uki's balance system.

STREET JUJITSU, PROFESSORS SIG KUFFERATH AND TONY JANOVICH WHITE

Practical applications of JuJitsu to the street.

``PROFESSOR LAW'' CLASS, PROFESSOR WILLIAM RANDLE WHITE

``A typical Professor Law class.'' This class will bring out some of the genius that was Professor Law. Professor Randle will teach aspects from the lists to show many insights and concepts he learned from Professor Law.

AIKI JUJITSU KODO KAI - KIHON, SENSEI HIYAWA KIYAMA WHITE

This class will look at both throwing and non throwing techniques of the Daiti-Ryu Aiki Jujitsu system.

BODY MOVEMENT, PROFESSOR IMI MULLINS WHITE

The importance of balance and pivoting and how it comes into play from the beginning to the upper level techniques.

JUJITSU VARIATIONS OF PROF. BROWNE, MAUREEN BROWNE WHITE

Professor Browne had many favorite self-defense variations that he taught in his classes. This class will cover these techniques in chronological order, from the `70's through the `90's.

CHI GONG/EIGHT INTERNAL IRON PALMS, PROFESSOR DON CROSS WHITE

An introduction to Chi Gong techniques of inner strength.

NAGE, PROFESSOR JOHN CONGISTRE WHITE

Emphasis of this class will be on not only the basic kata techniques but to fine tune points to make your nage a more effective list.

HANBO, DENNIS ESTES WHITE

The six basic hanbo techniques with variations.

RYUKYU KEMPO, FRED NEUMANN WHITE

This class will cover the Ryukyu Kempo methods of striking, kicking, and grappling, in unison. This grappling style is called ``Tuite Jitsu'' and the type of striking is called ``Kyusho Jitsu''.

TRAINING PATTERNS, BOB REISH WHITE

Bob will show training training drills and patterns to make your JuJitsu blocks, strikes, Yawara, and Nage more cohesive and powerful.

AIKI JUJITSU KODO KAI-OPPONENT CONTROL, SENSEI HIYAWA KIYAMA WHITE

This class will look at advanced opponent control without Tori grabbing Uki.

APPLICATIONS AND COMBINATIONS, DENNIS ESTES WHITE

Applying JuJitsu skills in reality based training.

TRANSITION COURSE, PROFESSOR BOB HUDSON WHITE

Can you go from Yawara to Nage? Nage to Yawara? You can? Come anyway!

HANBO, PROFESSOR LAMAR FISHER WHITE

This is a ``half'' of a Bo, which is a fix-it weapon. This makes the Hanbo a very ``in-fighting'' stick. Come and see how it is done!

GOSHIN JITSU, PROFESSOR JANE CARR WHITE

This is a particular list that has its origins in the course named ``Fujin Goshin No Maki'' or women's self defense list. This list is a compilation of these types of courses.

TEWAZA/THE LEADING HEEL, WILLIAM GESSNER WHITE

Throwing by hand, including ways to transfer other techniques so they can be done by hand. The leading heel is an important factor.

YAWARA TRANSITIONS, ROY LONNBERG WHITE

This class will study the ability to make correct, smooth transitions in both techniques (hand to hand) and body weight (foot to foot), to allow for ease of movement and power. Escapes and holds will be examines.

NAGE/NEWAZA, STEVE SECK WHITE

NAGE-The importance of gripping, secondary moves in throws and combination throws in sport judo. NEWAZA-Transitions to mat work, training drills, and submission pins for sport judo.

FUJIN GOSHIN NO MAKI, PROFESSOR IMI MULLINS WHITE

This class will focus on the throwing arts of this course. Participants must be able to sutemi well.

GOSHIN JITSU, PROFESSOR DON CROSS WHITE/BLUE

These classes will cover the entire Goshin Jitsu course.

NAGE, PROFESSOR TOM JENKINS BLUE

In this class we will learn a few more ``throwing techniques''. In some cases a mere thrust here, a little more hip there changes the dynamics of the basics, thereby producing an inherently different throw.

PROGRESSIONS, ROY LONNBERG BLUE

Progressions with basic techniques. Taking a basic technique and progressing to another hold or throw by being sensitive to uke's reaction.

SHIME, PROFESSOR JOHN CONGISTRE GREEN

The list of Shime has an interesting concept where the idea is to think ahead to your next move. In this way, the subtle intricacies are learned.

SHIME FOR THE STREET, PROFESSOR TONY JANOVICH GREEN

Aggressive Shime for street defense.

MOVING NAGE, MAUREEN BROWNE GREEN

This class will focus on entering to throw when you and your partner are walking. Several different entries will be covered. The throws will be both Danzan Ryu Nage and Kodokan Judo throws.

KIAI NO MAKI - TANTO , PROFESSOR TOM BALL SANKYU

This is the knife arts of the ``Kiai'' course. We will explore and expand on this course.

KIAI NO MAKI - TESSEN, PROFESSOR TOM JENKINS SANKYU

This is the course of Kiai No Maki that teaches the iron fan. This was and is a very effective weapon and has many fine principles to be learned in this course.

KIAI NO MAKI - KNOCK-OUT BLOWS, PROFESSOR BOB HUDSON SANKYU

This course will focus on how to 1) Block effectively, 2) Strike correctly, 3) Real estate principles (location, location, location).

OKU, PROFESSOR RORY REBMANN SANKYU

This list has tremendous principles to develop your overall JuJitsu practice. We will work on drawing out what makes each of these arts work.

KIAI NO MAKI - TANJU, PROFESSOR JANE CARR SANKYU

This is the ``gun course'' taught in the Kiai No Maki course. We will put a strong emphasis on being as effective as we can faced with such an awesome weapon.

TEACHING STYLES, BARBARA GESSNER SANKYU

By nature of one of its definitions, Kodenkan emphasizes teaching as being fundamental to the system. This class will explore various styles of teaching from Command to Discovery with a focus on selecting the style best suited to achieving our desired goals, technical and/or otherwise.

BUILDING AND OPERATING A DOJO, PROFESSOR JAMES MUSSELMAN IKKYU

General introduction of starting and operating a dojo. For beginners and those already operating schools.

SHININ NO MAKI, PROFESSOR TOM BALL SHODAN

The ``first'' of the black belt courses.

Promotions

• Prof. Tom Jenkins, Shichidan

• Barbara Gessner, Godan
• Roy Lonnberg, Godan

• Frank Borges, Yodan
• Bob Karnes, Yodan
• Suki LaGue, Yodan

• Nancy Bigham, Sandan
• Kevin Colton, Sandan
• Gerry Halligan, Sandan
• Jeff Penner, Sandan

Freestyle Contest

To AJJF National Championships Freestyle Competition.

To AJJF 49th Annual National Convention.

To Shibumi.

To AJJF Home Page.