Checkmate Self Defense

Sean’s Blue belt test was a over two months ago, on 2-22-2010. The attached photo gallery shows what a great demonstration Sean put on.

One highlight was when Sempai came out of the chute with a knife in one hand and a gun in the other. Sean remained calm. I hope I do as well during my next test! This gallery is well worth browsing. Many of the Ukes were in top form that evening, so there are good shots of many Checkmate students. There are also a few fairly humorous shots.

Congratulations Sean on receiving your jujitsu blue belt from Sensei Leigh!

Click any image below to start browsing. And then the little >> thing to advance the slide-show.

Pat (as dojo image king)

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Marko and Noelle tested for judo promotion on Friday and Saturday.

Congratulations to both of you on receiving recognition of your Judo progress from Sensei Leigh.

• Marko promoted to green belt
• Noelle promoted to yellow belt

Sensei Pat (and dojo image king)

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Chip, Tim and I had the Adult Judo Class to ourselves tonight, so we spent the entire class taking turns doing fit-ins and throws.

Sensei Leigh took a quick break from the kids class and got in a few throws on each of us (Osoto-Garuma, Hane-Goshi and a sweet Seionage variation).

I am always pleasantly worn-out after a workout like tonights.

Thanks Judoka!

A few photos from the 2010 Wildcat Shia

Here’s a link to Sensei Leigh’s post with the list of winners.

The image king left a camera battery at home in the charger… Hence the minimalist galery If anyone has any images they’d like added to the gallery just get them to me and I’ll make sure they get posted!

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Pat (as dojo image king)

Amber’s jujistu yellow belt test was Thursday the 15th of April.  Great job!

Congratualations Amber on receiving your jujitsu yellow belt from Sensei Leigh. Nice job this evening. Here are a few highlights from the test.

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Pat (as dojo image king)

Congratulations to Matt Lawton, who was promoted to Judo yellow belt last Friday.  It was probably the most grueling yellow belt test, judo or jujitsu, that I’ve seen! (Thank you Sensei Leigh!)

Matt demonstrated a tremendous capacity to thrive when pushed to his physical and mental limits. Matt illustrated the Jigoro Kano maxim “When you fall down 7 times, get up 8 times.”*

It may seem like its been a slow slog to get to this point. Seen  from my vantage,  his grit and tenacity have served him well, and he is building a solid foundation for the long journey towards martial arts mastery.

It’s been my pleasure to work with him and watch his steady improvement over the past few months.

Thanks Matt!

Sensei Pat

* I still have a hard time with this one. Maybe one of these days I’ll understand. Until then, I’ll continue to use my over-simplified… “Keep getting up”

Jake’s jujistu purple belt test was last Monday the 23rd of Nov.  Congratulations Jake! I particularly enjoyed watching Jake demonstrate his throws .  Great job!

Here’s a set of photos from his test.

Thank you Maria for handling the camera when it was my turn to be an uke for Jake!

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Pat (as dojo image king)

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Chris S tested for his judo 3rd degree brown belt on Saturday Nov 7th, 2009. Congratulations on your promotion Chris! I saw many well executed techniques, and very good control with all of your ukes.

Nice work everyone who was an uke for Chris during his test! I was very impressed.

Here a bunch of photos.

Sensei Pat (as dojo image king)

There are a LOT of pictures here. Give the thumbnails a minute to load before clicking on one to start the slideshow. (if the image opens in a plain window then you didn’t wait long enough! Sorry!

(click on any thumbnail to view image)

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Lou’s Jujistu Yellow Belt was October 29th. Congratulations Lou! Here’s a set of photos from his test. Maria shot the action stuff. I think I’m going to anoint her “Apprentice Image King”.

Sensei Leigh’s commented that Lou was the first person who stayed as relaxed as John C during his yellow belt test.

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Pat (as dojo image king)

Leigh Rossi is now ranked 5th dan in Castoldi Street Jujitsu, Small Circle Jujitsu and with Jujitsu America, in addition to his other honors. As a 5th dan black belt, Sensei Leigh’s formal title is now “Master Leigh Rossi”. Of course, he is still our teacher so the the honorary “sensei” continues to be correct, and is how he wishes to be addressed by the students within our dojo.

Check out the photos of Professor Castoldi presenting Sensei Leigh his godan, and group photos from the clinic.

Pat (as dojo image king)

(click on any thumbnail to view image)