President's
Special Report: USJJF Participation in the World Ju-Jitsu Championships, 24 - 26 November 2000
During the past two years the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) has focused on maximizing its growth and depth of programs across the USA. In particular, many hours, days, weeks and months of planning, training, sacrifice, contributions, and leadership have gone into the preparation of sending the USA Ju-Jitsu Team to the official JJIF World Championships. A couple of weeks ago the Official USA Team left the USA behind to travel to Copenhagen, Denmark to compete in the prestigious JJIF World Championships.
This year's USA Team consisted of nine competitors and two coaches. In addition, myself and approximately a dozen other USJJF members traveled to Copenhagen as well to support our team. Like other USA Teams in the past, this year's National Ju-Jitsu Team possessed good skill, energy and lot's of enthusiasm! The USA Team Members that made it to Copenhagen, Denmark were Stephen Gourley, Hector Keily, Ryan Leszczynski, Fred Parrish, Chad White, Glenn Hall, Alicia Miller and James Lucas. The USA National Coaches with the team were T.R. McClanahan and Bo Kimly. Being a "young" team in world competition, this year's USA Team unfortunately did not bring any medals home. However, the event was definitely a "Life-Time" Experience.
Over the past 25 years, other national federations (particularly the European countries) have "grown" several generations of ju-jitsu athletes. Here in the USA, we have some catching up to do! Personally, I believe we have many great athletes that will do very well in the JJIF Continental and World Championships as well as the most important World Games! It is simply a matters of building a stronger competition ju-jitsu program here in the USA. The
Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) is the International Governing Body for Ju-Jitsu, recognized by the
General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), the International Sports for All Federation (ISAF), the International World Games Association (IWGA) and is now a member of the Olympic Family of Sports. The USJJF is the USA National Member of JJIF, the Ju-Jitsu North American Union (JJNAU) and is the National Governing Body for Ju-Jitsu in the USA. Through the USJJF, ju-jitsu athletes participate in state, regional & national training seminars & camps as well as the US JU-JITSU Junior & Senior National Championships, the JJIF Continental Championships, the JJIF World Championships and the World Games Championships. The Continental and World Championships are held every two years (alternating years) and are qualifying events for the World Games. The World Games are held every four years as the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. At the JJIF World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Official Announcement was made that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has directed the National Olympic Committees to also support the athletes competing in the World Games. This is a "Great Step" forward for Ju-Jitsu in the Olympic movement. Next summer, the All Japan Ju-Jitsu Federation will host the JJIF Competition at the World Games in Akita, Japan.
In the coming new year, the leadership of USJJF are planning many new and additional programs and events to include many Regional Ju-Jitsu Organization (RJJO) seminars and tournaments, regional US Ju-Jitsu Championships, national camps, the Junior & Senior US JU-JITSU National Championships and the USJJF/JJNAU International Open Ju-Jitsu Championships.
Details for all of these events may be found on the USJJF Official Website at www.usjjf.org. On behalf of the USJJF Board of Directors and all of our members, I would like to invite you to "JOIN TODAY" in this most exciting and worthwhile project as we further the development of JU-JITSU in the 21st Century!
Best Wishes for the Holidays and the New Year!
Sincerely,
Bruce R. Bethers
President
United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF)
Ju-Jitsu North American Union (JJNAU)
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