Fellowship, Outstanding Growth, Great Competition and Many Accomplishments were all the highlights of this year's "Gathering Weekend" for the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) and the Ju-Jitsu North American Union (JJNAU)!

Athletes, Officials & Representatives from over 30 states came together in Akron, Ohio 13 - 15 September to renew old friendship, meet new friends, celebrate personal & organizational achievements at the USJJF/JJNAU Annual Awards Recognition Banquet, the US JU-JITSU National Seminars and the 2002 Jr. & Sr. National Championships. This year's Awards Banquet & National Training Seminars were conducted in the Radisson Hotel in Akron and the US JU-JITSU National Championships were held in the James A. Rhoads Arena, Akron University. The USJJF & the USA Karate Federation (USAKF) combined their efforts & annual activities into one "Great Weekend" which made for a "Grand Event" with Hundreds of Athletes, Officials and Spectators! This year, Zebra Mats Company provided the traditional tatami mats for the US Ju-Jitsu National Championships. We sincerely appreciate Zebra's Support to this year's major event! As in past years, we have seen growth in the number of athletes, coaches & officials attending the US JU-JITSU Nationals. We should note that this year, the number of represented states from across the USA grew from 21 to 32. There were athletes & officials from every region of the country!

Every "even numbered" year the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation, (as the USA National Governing Body for Ju-Jitsu with the JJIF) has the responsibility to build, qualify & select the "USA Ju-Jitsu Team" to officially represent the United States of America at the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. The Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) conducts the Official World Championships. The JJIF is the recognized World Governing Body for Ju-Jitsu, www.jjifweb.com, by the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), and the International World Games Association (IWGA). The Ancient Art of Ju-Jitsu is also a member of the Olympic Family of Sports through the WORLD GAMES, which is conducted with the support and under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Last year's 6th World Games held in Akita, Japan was an "Awesome Experience" (See USJJF President's Report of the 6th World Games: http://www.usjjf.org/news/world_games/index.htm) The World Games are held every four years (same as the Olympic Summer & Winter Games).

The next World Games will be conducted in 2005 in Duisburg, Germany (See: http://www.worldgames2005.org/en/home/index.php)

This year's USA Team qualification & selection culminated with the US JU-JITSU National Championships. Beginning in 2003, the USJJF Executive Committee in cooperation with the USJJF Coaching Committee is planning to expand the USA Team Development & Selection Program by incorporating a series of events for training, competition and evaluation each year, which will enhance the Team Selection Process. It is anticipated that the 2003 USA Team qualification & selection process will be a more "comprehensive system" taking into consideration the results of multiple competitions and qualification criteria.

On Friday evening, Sep 13, the USJJF, JJNAU & USAKF hosted their Annual Awards and Hall of Fame Recognition Banquet at the Radisson Hotel. Among the many the highlights & achievements of the year were such topics as the long-standing and active Police Self Defense Institute (PSDI) which goes back to the early 1970s which brought together both martial arts and law enforcement leaders from across the USA & the Far East to build alliances and provide technical knowledge for training effective skills in Law Enforcement Tactics. Included in the police self-defense skills are the "arresting techniques", a sub-system of ju-jitsu, which is traditionally known as Taiho Jutsu. Many National Senior Law Enforcement Officers and several "PIONEER" Leaders of the Martial Arts were recognized. Four very noteworthy rank certifications were awarded by the USJJF to Prof. George E. Anderson, President of USAKF & Chairman - USJJF Central Technical Committee (CTC), Prof. T.R. McClanahan, Former Police Officer and Chairman, USJJF National Coaching Committee and Prof. Jim Harrison, Former Police Officer and Member of the USJJF Central Technical Committee (CTC) and Prof. Gene LeBell, Former Coast Guard Officer, Author of many books on Law Enforcement Skills and Member of the USJJF CTC. All four of these Very Distinguished Instructors of Law Enforcement "Arresting & Self-Defense Tactics" were recognized as 9th DANS of US TAIHO JUTSU, USJJF's National System of Taiho Jutsu.

The USJJF "Instructor of the Year" was presented to Sensei Delva R. Mandrell, Chief Instructor of the Circle of Iron School of Martial Arts in Ninnekah, Oklahoma. Sensei Mandrell is a long time "State Leader" in Oklahoma with the USJJF & USMAF. During these past few years she has also been very active as a "National Leader" working to build US JU-JITSU & other martial arts across the USA. Sensei Mandrell is a very consistent & hard working leader on the USJJF Board of Directors. She has the focus, vision & the strength to accomplish many great achievements. USJJF is very blessed to have many such LEADERS as Sensei Mandrell. She has over 20 USJJF "Life Members" in her school and one of the largest registered USJJF member schools in the USA. Thanks to Sensei Mandrell, the Circle of Iron Martial Arts School has produced many outstanding ju-jitsuka! As the President of USJJF, I wish to extend my personal recognition and sincere thanks to Delva for all that she does to help the USJJF and the martial arts community. (BTW, when she is not teaching in her martial arts school or working on a State or National Level for USJJF, she is helping to maintain our National Security working at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.)

On Saturday, Sep 14, the day before the Championships, the USJJF & JJNAU conducted a Competition Orientation & Referee Course. Shihan Michael Piaser, Chairman, USJJF National Referee Committee conducted an "update" training session on the JJIF rules of competition for both the "DUO" (JJIF Self-Defense) as well as the "Kumite" (JJIF Fighting) Systems. The course was taught at the nearby school, the Center for Martial Arts, owned by Shihan Patrick Hickey. Our goal is that every state conducts at least one USJJF Competition Orientation & Referee Course per year. Beginning in 2003, every Regional Ju-Jitsu Organization (RJJO) of the USJJF, will be requested to send at least two "uniformed" certified USJJF referees to regional & national competitions.

Many THANKS go out to such Great Leaders as George Anderson, Jack Pyles, Michael Piaser, Ben DeLeon, Delva Mandrell, Larry Emmons, Rick Dunn and Ernest McPeek for your special assistance in preparing for & conducting the 2002 US JU-JITSU Nationals!

The dates & locations of next year's 2003 Jr. & Sr. National Championships, as well as the 2003 JJNAU Continental North American Championships will soon be announced. In addition, the USJJF will conduct the USA JU-JITSU CONGRESS in 2003! Tentative date & location is May 2 - 4 in Las Vegas, NV. Details forth coming!

See photos & results of the USJJF Awards Banquet, National Seminars & the 2002 US JU-JITSU National Championships:

USJJF & JJNAU hereby recognizes the following 2002 Outstanding Leaders:

1. "Instructor of the Year" - Delva R. Mandrell, Oklahoma

2. "President's Leadership Award"
- George E. Anderson, Ohio
- T.R. McClanahan, Ohio
- Jack Pyles, Ohio
- Robert M. Carver, Louisiana
- Donna K. Cosper, Oklahoma
- Benjamin A. DeLeon, Wisconsin
- Jeffrey A. Cook, Florida
- Matthew Bayley, Colorado
- Lawrence A. Emmons, Nevada
- Richard Dunn, Nevada
- Ernest G. McPeek, New York

3. "National Coaching Award"
- Bo Kimly, 2000-2001, Ohio
- Thurl "T.R." McClanahan, 2000-2001, Ohio

4. "JJNAU Referee Award"
- Patrick Barton, Canada
- Michael K. Piaser, USA
- Joseph Santocildes, USA
- Bo Kimly. USA

5. "Special Rank Recognition"
- George E. Anderson, Kudan, US Taiho Jutsu, Police Self Defense Institute (PSDI)
- Thurl "T.R." McClanahan, Kudan, US Taiho Jutsu, Police Self Defense institute (PSDI)
- Jim Harrison, Kudan, US Taiho Jutsu, Police Self Defense institute (PSDI)
- Gene LeBell, Kudan, US Taiho Jutsu, Police Self Defense institute (PSDI)

6. "National Championships Awards"

"Outstanding Senior Male Ju-Jitsuka" -  Jose Rodriguez, Florida

"Outstanding Senior Female Ju-Jitsuka" - Jill Matteson, Wisconsin

"Outstanding Male Senior Competitors" - Anthony Brewer, California and Kris Harrison, Colorado

"Outstanding Junior Male Ju-Jitsuka" - Adam Pyles, Ohio

"Outstanding Junior Female Ju-Jitsuka" - Noelle Kanaga, Delaware

"Outstanding Female Junior Competitor" - Shaina Krause, Virginia

"Outstanding Senior Male Best Technique" - Greg McElroy, Ohio

"Outstanding Senior Female Best Technique" - Jill Matteson, Wisconsin

"Outstanding Junior Male Best Technique" - Patrick McJury, New York

"Outstanding Junior Female "Best Technique" - Cheryl Krause, Virginia

"Outstanding Male Junior Competitors" - Patrick McJury, Arkansas and Jake Zubow, Wisconsin

"Outstanding Female Junior Competitors" - Cheryl Krause, Virginia and Shaina Krause, Virginia

"Outstanding Male Sportsman" - Mikel LaChapelle, New Hampshire

"Outstanding Female Sportsman" - Vanessa Cook, Arkansas

"Outstanding USJJF Championships Referee" - Mike Piaser, Ohio

"Outstanding USJJF National Championships Coach" - Ben DeLeon, Wisconsin