DUSTIN WHITTEMORE
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Dustin Whittemore
Bronze Level Life Member - United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) ®
Life Member - USA Traditional Kodokan Judo (USA-TKJ) ®
Life Member - United States Martial Arts Federation tm
Senior Instructor - Examiner for the USJJF
Senior Instructor - Examiner for the USTJ
Associate Instructor - Examiner for the USA-TKJ
Arkansas Director and Regional Representative for the USJJF and USA-TKJ
Member - Technical Committee USJJF, USTJ & USA-TKJ
Member - Police Tactics Instructors of America
Renshi Dustin Whittemore grew up on a farm in Clifty, Arkansas, where he spent his early years attending school in Huntsville and helping on the farm. At 16, he began his martial arts journey in 2006 by training in Japanese Ju-jitsu under Sensei Jeevan and Sensei Vanessa. Within his first year, he lost weight and gained significant self-confidence, igniting a lifelong passion for martial arts and a commitment to pursuing excellence.
After a year of training in Ju-jitsu, Renshi Whittemore expanded his martial arts practice by joining a weekly judo class at NWA Judo, where he studied under Sensei Michael Dobbs. He attended clinics with Ed Thibedeau, with Sensei Phil Porter in 2010 and with Annmaria De Mars in 2016, further refining his skills.
In 2011, Renshi Whittemore moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where he met Sensei Greg in 2013 and began training at the Black Belt Mastery Center. For the past 18 years, he has dedicated himself to training 3-4 days a week in the dojo, continuing his studies and research on non-dojo days. Renshi Whittemore began teaching as an assistant instructor in 2009 and has been instructing ever since, hosting self-defense seminars for men and women and helping grow Judo and Ju-jitsu.
A strong believer in the spirit of community, Renshi Whittemore has volunteered at various facilities and holds deep respect for the principles of Bushido, the Way of the Warrior. He has also studied martial arts classics, including Living the Martial Way, The Art of War, The Book of Five Rings, and The Bansenshukai, gaining valuable insights into martial philosophy and strategy. Additionally, he has received certification to teach several meditation methods, emphasizing the mental discipline that complements martial arts training.
In 2022 he was inducted into the USJJF’s Hall of Fame as his work as a national level Sensei. In 2025, the system Renshi Whittemore developed, Sui Hasu Ryu Jujitsu—meaning "Water Lotus School of Ju-Jitsu"—was nationally accredited. The water lotus, a symbol of enlightenment in Eastern philosophy, reflects Renshi Whittemore's vision for this style: a martial art that encourages students to explore how to adapt techniques to themselves. He is dedicated to teaching in a way that inspires personal growth, both on and off the mat, with the ultimate goal of making the world a better place through martial arts.
Through his martial arts practice, Renshi Whittemore aims to provide students with effective self-defense skills while exposing them to diverse martial doctrines that help them become well-rounded warriors. He is also committed to deepening his own understanding of the arts, ensuring that he can continue giving back to the martial arts community.
In addition to his dojo work, Renshi Whittemore teaches police officers, medical professionals, EMTs, firefighters, and staff at drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers through onsite workshops. His goal is to help these professionals develop greater security in their roles and equip them with practical tools to safely handle resistant individuals in their work. He also teaches private lessons and weekly classes to the general public, furthering his mission to serve and support his community.
Ranks Achieved -
Yondan 4th Degree Black Belt in Ju-Jitsu (USJJF)
Yondan 4th Degree Black Belt in US Taiho-Jutsu (USJJF)
Yondan 4th Degree Black Belt in Sui Hasu Ryu Ju-Jitsu(USJJF)
Sandan 3rd Degree Black Belt in Judo (USA-TKJ)
Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt in Nagano Ryu Jiu-jutsu (BBMC)
Level 7 Instructor (PTIOA)
2022 USJJF Hall of Fame inductee
Founder of a nationally accredited system
Menkyo Shoden in Dai Sui Ryu Shinobijutsu (BBMC)
Contact info for Renshi Dustin Whittemore -
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Water Lotus Martial Arts
Bronze Level Life Member - United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) ®
Life Member - USA Traditional Kodokan Judo (USA-TKJ) ®
Life Member - United States Martial Arts Federation tm
Senior Instructor - Examiner for the USJJF
Senior Instructor - Examiner for the USTJ
Associate Instructor - Examiner for the USA-TKJ
Arkansas Director and Regional Representative for the USJJF and USA-TKJ
Member - Technical Committee USJJF, USTJ & USA-TKJ
Member - Police Tactics Instructors of America
Renshi Dustin Whittemore grew up on a farm in Clifty, Arkansas, where he spent his early years attending school in Huntsville and helping on the farm. At 16, he began his martial arts journey in 2006 by training in Japanese Ju-jitsu under Sensei Jeevan and Sensei Vanessa. Within his first year, he lost weight and gained significant self-confidence, igniting a lifelong passion for martial arts and a commitment to pursuing excellence.
After a year of training in Ju-jitsu, Renshi Whittemore expanded his martial arts practice by joining a weekly judo class at NWA Judo, where he studied under Sensei Michael Dobbs. He attended clinics with Ed Thibedeau, with Sensei Phil Porter in 2010 and with Annmaria De Mars in 2016, further refining his skills.
In 2011, Renshi Whittemore moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where he met Sensei Greg in 2013 and began training at the Black Belt Mastery Center. For the past 18 years, he has dedicated himself to training 3-4 days a week in the dojo, continuing his studies and research on non-dojo days. Renshi Whittemore began teaching as an assistant instructor in 2009 and has been instructing ever since, hosting self-defense seminars for men and women and helping grow Judo and Ju-jitsu.
A strong believer in the spirit of community, Renshi Whittemore has volunteered at various facilities and holds deep respect for the principles of Bushido, the Way of the Warrior. He has also studied martial arts classics, including Living the Martial Way, The Art of War, The Book of Five Rings, and The Bansenshukai, gaining valuable insights into martial philosophy and strategy. Additionally, he has received certification to teach several meditation methods, emphasizing the mental discipline that complements martial arts training.
In 2022 he was inducted into the USJJF’s Hall of Fame as his work as a national level Sensei. In 2025, the system Renshi Whittemore developed, Sui Hasu Ryu Jujitsu—meaning "Water Lotus School of Ju-Jitsu"—was nationally accredited. The water lotus, a symbol of enlightenment in Eastern philosophy, reflects Renshi Whittemore's vision for this style: a martial art that encourages students to explore how to adapt techniques to themselves. He is dedicated to teaching in a way that inspires personal growth, both on and off the mat, with the ultimate goal of making the world a better place through martial arts.
Through his martial arts practice, Renshi Whittemore aims to provide students with effective self-defense skills while exposing them to diverse martial doctrines that help them become well-rounded warriors. He is also committed to deepening his own understanding of the arts, ensuring that he can continue giving back to the martial arts community.
In addition to his dojo work, Renshi Whittemore teaches police officers, medical professionals, EMTs, firefighters, and staff at drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers through onsite workshops. His goal is to help these professionals develop greater security in their roles and equip them with practical tools to safely handle resistant individuals in their work. He also teaches private lessons and weekly classes to the general public, furthering his mission to serve and support his community.
Ranks Achieved -
Yondan 4th Degree Black Belt in Ju-Jitsu (USJJF)
Yondan 4th Degree Black Belt in US Taiho-Jutsu (USJJF)
Yondan 4th Degree Black Belt in Sui Hasu Ryu Ju-Jitsu(USJJF)
Sandan 3rd Degree Black Belt in Judo (USA-TKJ)
Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt in Nagano Ryu Jiu-jutsu (BBMC)
Level 7 Instructor (PTIOA)
2022 USJJF Hall of Fame inductee
Founder of a nationally accredited system
Menkyo Shoden in Dai Sui Ryu Shinobijutsu (BBMC)
Contact info for Renshi Dustin Whittemore -
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Water Lotus Martial Arts
