Sensei Kurt

Yodan (4th Degree Black Belt)

(Sayville Location)

Sensei Kurt began his Judo journey at approximately eight years old in Bay Shore,  New York.  His first instructor,  Sensei Walter Ing,  lived just around the corner from him and played a meaningful role in the community serving not only as a Judo instructor,  but also as a Boy Scout leader and even the neighborhood mailman. Kurt attended school with many of Sensei Ing’s children, and his parents enrolled him in the Judo club where he trained under Sensei Ing and Sensei Bill Fortunato.

Training originally took place in Sensei Ing’s basement dojo, where Kurt developed a strong foundation in traditional Kodokan Judo.

Like many young athletes, life eventually pulled him in different directions during his teenage years. However, Judo remained a lasting influence. At age 36, in 1996, he returned to the art under the same instructor who had first guided him as a child Sensei Ing who was then teaching alongside Sensei Cliff Wolff. In many ways, his journey came full circle.

Sensei Kurt joined Judo Post 1882 in 1996 and has trained continuously ever since. When the original club dissolved, he remained committed to carrying its legacy forward through Judo Dojo Yukidaruma.

In recognition of decades of dedication, technical development, and service to the art, Sensei Kurt was promoted to Yodan (4th Degree Black Belt). His promotion reflects not only technical rank, but years of perseverance, mentorship, and commitment to the Judo community.

He continues to uphold the principle shared by his instructors:

“Do not chase rank. Train sincerely, and rank will find you.”

🥋 Sensei James

Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt)

(Sayville Location)

Sensei James began his Judo journey in 1982 while attending Polytechnic Institute in Brooklyn, New York. During his college years, he trained under Sensei Maureen Braziel and actively competed in Metropolitan and East Coast collegiate Judo competitions.

After graduating in 1986, he continued his training at a private dojo in Queens for several years, further developing his skills and experience in the art.

In 1996, Sensei James relocated to South Korea, where he trained at the Goyang Judo Club for six years. During this time, he competed in multiple provincial Judo competitions and gained valuable international experience. He has continued to train at Goyang Judo Club during visits to Korea over the years, maintaining a strong connection to the club and its training environment.

In 2002, he returned to the United States and continued his Judo journey. In 2019, he joined Judo Dojo Yukidaruma, where he remains an active member and instructor.

In recognition of his dedication and technical development, Sensei James was promoted to Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) through the USJA in February 2022.

Sensei James brings decades of experience, competition background, and international training to the dojo, contributing to a well-rounded and disciplined learning environment for all students.

🥋 Sensei Joe

Founder, Judo Dojo Yukidaruma

Sensei Joe began his Judo journey in 1968 at the age of 13 while attending East Junior High School. At the time, he did not consider himself a strong athlete. That changed when his science teacher, Mr. Rotkin, introduced an after-school Judo club.

What started as curiosity quickly became passion.

Training took place on rolled out wrestling mats in the school gym. Early classes focused heavily on fundamentals, warmups, discipline, and ukemi (breakfalls). Like many traditional dojos, progress was earned step by step. Sensei Joe recalls the moment he received his first Judo gi, a memory that has stayed with him for decades.

Under the guidance of Sensei Rotkin, he was introduced to the foundations of Kodokan Judo, including nage waza (throwing techniques), holds, and early competition experiences. Though he describes himself as an inexperienced competitor at the time, these early years built the discipline and passion that would shape his lifelong connection to Judo.

After Sensei Rotkin left to pursue a career in medicine eventually becoming a highly respected Judoka and 6th-degree black belt Sensei Joe continued his journey. In the early 1970s, he trained and competed while attending the University of Alabama under Sensei Elizabeth “Betty” West, gaining additional competition experience throughout the southeastern United States. Upon leaving, he was promoted to orange belt within the Dixie Judo Association.

After a long hiatus from training, Judo re-entered his life in 1996 through his involvement in the Boy Scouts alongside his son. There, he reconnected with the art through Sensei Cliff Wolff, leading to the creation of Judo Post 1882 (BSA Judo-Kai).

This period marked significant growth. With the addition of experienced instructors such as Sensei Walter Ing, the program expanded rapidly, introducing both youth and adults to Judo. The club participated in numerous tournaments and built strong connections within the broader Judo community.

During this time, Sensei Joe trained alongside Sensei Kurt, beginning a partnership that continues to this day.

As organizations and programs evolved over the years, Sensei Joe remained committed to preserving and teaching Judo. In 2011, alongside Sensei Kurt and Sensei Jeff, he founded Judo Dojo Yukidaruma at St. John’s Lutheran Church continuing the tradition of accessible, community-based Judo instruction.

Since then, Sensei Joe has helped grow the dojo across multiple locations and generations of students, always maintaining the core values of discipline, respect, and continuous learning.

Today, he continues to lead and expand Judo Dojo Yukidaruma, including the development of a second location in Fairport, New York carrying forward a journey that began over five decades ago.