Over 20 "state", "regional" & "national" class referees attended the course. In addition, approximately ten new referees also received training in the Ju-Jitsu International Federation Competition Rules (both DUO, Self-Defense and Kumite, Free Fighting). The course was taught by Lt. Col. Bruce R. Bethers (USJJF President & Continental Class Referee). 

As of this date, over 150 USJJF Referees have been certified in the JJIF Competition Program. The National Championships is the culmination of various State Level Championships and is the Qualifier for the selection of the USA Ju-Jitsu Team to compete at the official JJIF World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark in November, 2000.

A Special Thanks goes out to "USJJ of Ohio" for hosting the event and providing much of the logistical support for the Championships. 

This year's Championships were conducted on three JJIF regulation tatami mats. One set of the tatami mats was brought in by Board Member, Shihan Bernard "Gil" Gilbert from Maryland. THANKS "GIL"!! 

This year's Championships were held in conjunction with the USAKF National Championships. A Special Thanks to Hanshi George E. Anderson, USJJF Founder and Member of the JJIF Presidential Advisory Committee and Dr. Michael Dunphy, President of USJJ of Ohio, for your extensive Support & Leadership to make this year's event so successful! Many states sent delegates and referees (this year) with the plan to also provide competitors in the coming years! 

See the Championships Results for details. Each 1st Place Winner automatically qualified for the USA Ju-Jitsu Team, and has been invited to travel to Denmark and represent the USA in the world Championships.

On Friday, after the first day of competition, the USJJF held its Annual Awards Banquet with over 160 persons attending the Gala Event! Several USJJF Awards were presented for Outstanding Accomplishments this past year. 

The Highlight of the evening, was the Induction of Professor T.R. McClanahan into the USJJF Hall of Fame. "TR" has been a long-time "Leading Pioneer" of both Judo & Ju-Jitsu. This Very Special Recognition of Professor McClanahan is long overdue and we are very proud to count him as one of our Nation's Top Leaders in the Martial Arts Community. It is most important to also note that Professor McClanahan is one of the two Kudans, (9th DAN) in US JU-JITSU in the USA. (Currently, there are no US JU-JITSU Judans (10th DAN) in the USA, nor in the JJIF.)

The USJJF is raising funds to pay for the Entry Fee of the Team and (at least) pay for the hotel and food of each USA Team Member. If adequate funds are raised, the Federation will reimburse each USJJF Athletes' expense for the air fare to Denmark. With additional corporate sponsors, the USJJF hopes to cover all the expenses of the Official USA Team and Coaches. 

Please note: The USJJF is a 501 C (3) Non-Profit Corporation. Contributions are tax-deductible in accordance with US Law. Anyone wishing to help send the USA Ju-Jitsu Team to the World Championships is encouraged to contact the USJJF National Office. Your Support to the "USA Team" is Greatly Appreciated!

In 1998, the International Olympic Committee officially adopted the World Games as the "Third Leg" of the Olympics. Ju-Jitsu is a World Games Sport and now a Member of the Olympic Family of Sports! 

On Sunday, July 16, the Ju-Jitsu North American Union Continental Championships were conducted. Teams from both the USA and Canada competed this year! Mexico was invited, but was not able to send a team at this year's event. 

The JJNAU Continental Championships is part of the Qualifier for the upcoming WORLD GAMES Ju-Jitsu Championships, which will be conducted in August of 2001 in Akita, Japan. 

The World Games Ju-Jitsu Championships will be hosted by the All Japan Ju-Jitsu Federation. The AJJJF is the Japan National Member of the JJIF, while the USJJF is the USA National Member of the JJIF. 

The JJNAU competition was very well organized and I am very pleased to note that there were no major injuries at the Nationals or Continental Championships. Much credit is to be given to the Excellent Referees and their close attention to the JJIF Rules. We did "take notes", so next year's event should be even Bigger & Better! As we approach 2001, the Competition and Referee Committees from all three countries will be working together to further clarify and enhance the Competition Program. A JJNAU Referee Council will be organized later this year. 

The National Office has announced the appointments of Shihan Michael Dunphy, as the 2000 US JU-JITSU "DUO" USA Coach and Shihan Bo Kimly as the 2000 US JU-JITSU "KUMITE" USA Coach for the Official JJIF World Championships. Congratulations Gentlemen!

The next US JU-JITSU National Championships have already been scheduled at the new USJJF Midwest National Training Center in Springdale, Arkansas on August 23-24, 2001. On behalf the USJJF and the JJNAU, I would like to extend my most sincere gratitude to all those who competed and officiated at this year's Championships! Your Participation, Support and Leadership is making all the "difference"! I hope to see you all at the US JU-JITSU Summer Camp/Open Tournament and the "Grand Opening" of the new USJJF Midwest National Training Center in Springdale, Arkansas, 25 - 27 August, 2000.

US JU-JITSU NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2000 RESULTS

DUO (Self-Defense) Competition

10-13 yrs. Men's Division
1st Place: Matthew Plasky & Adam D. Pyles, Kwanmukan, Ohio

14-17 yrs. Men's Division
1st Place: Aron S. Caldwell & Philip Van laningham, Shinryukan, Nebraska

18-34 yrs. Men's Division
1st Place:  Stephen Gourley, Midwest National Ju-Jitsu Training Center, Arkansas

18-34 yrs. Women's Division
1st Place: Ellen O'Connor & Barbara O'Connor, Kwanmukan of New England

KUMITE (Free Fighting) Competition

Male 18-34 yrs: 

<62 kg (0-136.5 lbs.)
1st Place: Hector Keilly, Martial Arts Alliance, Ohio

62<69 kg (136.6-152.0 lbs.)
1st Place: Nick Mitchell, Martial Arts Alliance, Ohio
2nd Place: Hector Keilly, Martial Arts Alliance, Ohio
3rd Place: Tony Sims, The Dojo, Kentucky
4th Place: Jason Stegall, Martial Arts Alliance, Ohio

69<77kg (152.1-170.0 lbs.)
1st Place: Ryan Leszczynski, Martial Arts Alliance, Ohio
2nd Place: Donald E. Williamson, Kwanmukan, Ohio

77<85 kg (170.1-187.5 lbs.)
1st Place: Fred Parrish, Martial Arts Alliance, Ohio
2nd Place: Lyndell Moore, Midwest National Ju-Jitsu Training Center, Arkansas
3rd Place: Chris Biehl, Martial Arts Alliance, Ohio

85<94 kg (187.6-207.0 lbs.)
1st Place: Chad White, Kwanmukan, Ohio
2nd Place: Louie Beque, Center for Martial Arts, Ohio
3rd Brian Sutton, unattached, not specified
4th Place: Jeff Russell, Martial Arts Alliance, Ohio

94 kg+ (207.1 lbs+)
1st Place: James Lucas, Midwest National Ju-Jitsu Training Center, Arkansas
2nd Place: Joseph Santocildes, Piaser Martial Arts, Ohio

Male 35 yrs. & older:

85<94 kg (187.6-207.0 lbs.)
1st Place: Bernard R. Gilbert, Maryland Academy of Martial Arts, Maryland

Women 18 and over

62<70 kg (136.6-154.5 lbs.)
1st Place: Alicia Miller, Midwest National Ju-Jitsu Training Center, Arkansas

70 kg+ (154.6 lbs.+)
1st Place: Michelle Landolt, Midwest National Ju-Jitsu Training Center, Arkansas

JU-JITSU NORTH AMERICAN UNION CHAMPIONSHIPS 2000 RESULTS

Duo, Women
1st Place: B. Leblanc & A. Reckewitz - Canada
2nd Place: Rice & Montgomery - Canada

Duo Mixed
1st Place: Nicole Fenwick & Colin Heitman - Canada Gold

Duo Men Novice Under 35
1st Place: Gurley Arkansas USA
2nd Place: Tim Rice& David Rice - Canada

Duo Men Beginners Under 35
1st Place: Marino & Corrigan - Canada
2nd Place: Nick Castiglia & Justin D'ornellas - Canada

Womens Kumite <62 kg+ (136.6 lbs.)
1st Place: Anneliese Reckewitz - Canada

Womens Kumite 62<70 kg (136.6-154.5 lbs.)
1st Place: Alicia Miller - USA
2nd Place: Bridget Lablanc - Canada

Womens Kumite 70 kg+ (154.6 lbs.+)
1st Place: Michelle Landolt - USA
2nd Place: Nicole Fenwick - Canada

Mens Kumite <62 kg (0-136.5 lbs.)
1st Place: Hector Keilly - USA

Mens Kumite 62<69 kg (136.6-152.0 lbs.)
1st Place: Donnie Williamson - USA
2nd Place: Tim Rice - Canada

69<77kg (152.1-170.0 lbs.)
1st Place: Ryan Leszczynski, USA

Mens Kumite 77<85kg (170.1-187.5 lbs.)
1st Place: Fred Parrish - USA
2nd Place: Colin Heitman - Canada 

Mens Kumite 85<94 kg (187.6-207.0 lbs.)
1st Place: Chad White - USA
2nd Place: Nick Castiglia - Canada

Mens Kumite 94 kg+ (207.1 lbs+)
1st Place: James Lucas - USA
2nd Place: James Brant - Canada