Rokkyu Duo Clean Up at 2025 Governor’s Cup
On March 15th, 2025, two yellow belts or “rokkyu” from the Des Moines Judo Academy made their competitive debut at the Iowa Governor’s Cup Tournament, which was hosted by Teikiatsu Judo in Ames, Iowa. Adult competitor turnout was a sharp decline from 2024, during which sensei and academy founder Bret Parkhill made his final regular appearance coaching. Despite adult participation being thinned by scheduling and recent injuries, Karsten Lappe and Jon Milledge made up for quantity with quality.
Karsten, is a young man of 22 years of age who attends most, if not all, weekday classes at our dojo and occasional Saturday open mats. Standing 6’7”, Karsten fought in the 220lbs+ senior men’s open rank, winning both his matches against the green belt, or “yonkyu,” Brent Shipley from Sempai Judo. Karsten’s first match was won by application of the “renraku waza'“ (combination technique; when two or more attacks are made in sequence) Uchi-Mata, followed by O-Soto-Gari, earning an “Ippon” (full point, which wins a match). His second match was won by scorring Ippon via “Osae Komi” (pin), a varient of Yoko-Shiho-Gatame (commonly referred to as side control in jujitsu), after taking his opponent to the ground without scoring, securing the gold medal for his division. A southpaw, Karsten is known in our club for his explosive strength, preference for extremely high collar grips, and his love of Uchi-Mata, which he’s striven to improve since he first arrived at the Des Moines Judo Academy.
Jon Milledge, a man of 35 who stands at approximately 5’8”, fought in both the senior men’s middle weight novice, and the senior men’s 161lbs & Under open rank divisions. Jon, an mma fighter in the process of winding down his mma career, is one of a pair of far travelling Judoka who consistently grace our dojo at Saturday open mats and the occasional Thursday class. Jon fought five total matches between the two divisions. While Jon lost his first match by throw for Ippon, he went on to only have one more loss for the day, by submission while attempting to pass guard. Jon’s extensive drilling of “ashi waza” (leg/foot techniques), particularly foot sweeps, showed, as he scored “Waza Ari” (half point, two of which are required to win a match) by both Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi, and De Ashi Barai. While he did win one additional match by submission, the highlight of the adult competition of this tournament was an Ippon scored using Nidan Ko-Soto-Gari as a counter to Uchi-Mata, further demonstrating Jon’s ashi waza dominance. Sensei Parkhill, reviewing a video of the match, commented that the counter was “a thing of beauty!” Jon took gold in the open rank, and silver in the novice.
Despite being the only adult judoka to take to the mat or “tatami” to represent our Academy at this tournament, they were not alone. Ian, Jon’s long time training partner and travelling companion, was also present to give his support despite being wounded. Jon’s family was also present to cheer him on, and were enthusiastic, if frequently confused. The three are seen together in the cover photo for this entry, celebrating their victory.
CLASSES CANCELLED FEBRUARY 12TH, 2025, DUE TO SNOW!
The title kinda speaks for itself people. Stay home, stay safe, stay warm, and put the couch in osae komi.
Brown Belt Sneaks in Surprise Promotion Mid-Celebration
On Monday, December 30th, 2024, amid the fanfare surrounding Ryan Hanssen’s promotion to “Shodan” or blackbelt a smaller, but no less significant, promotion was issued.
John Long, the man who served as “uke” (the person upon whom a technique is performed; the fancy way of saying living throwing dummy) for the Nage-no-Kata (the performance of a pre-arranged sequence of techniques to demonstrate technical proficiency), was promoted from “Sankyu,” the first rank of brown belt, to “Nikyu,” the second rank of brown belt. Serving as uke for kata is one method of earning a promotion, as doing so properly demonstrates competence, if not mastery of several fundamental skills for any “judoka” (judo practitioner), most particularly “ukemi” (the skill of falling without harm or injury). Serving as uke for any kata requires extensive training prior to even undertake the weeks of practice necessary. It is also a substantial time commitment, as most judo kata are interactive, meaning the “tori” (person performing the technique) cannot practice without the uke being present.
John is an active and competitive judoka, maintaining a an extremely fit physique, in contrast to his laid back and easy going attitude. Outside of judo, he enjoys travel, often spending weeks at a time in Asia, craft beer, comedy shows, and somehow finding time to fit in anime and videogames. On the mat, John is known at the Des Moines Judo & Sambo Academy for his powerful “uchi-mata” or “inner thigh throw,” which can be described as both elegant and text book. Of late, he has been diversifying his arsenal by working on his “seoi-nage” (shoulder throw), and has recently been noticed dropping white belts with foot sweeps.
Mr. Long’s well earned promotion leaves only “Ikkyu,” the final brown belt rank, between him and a blackbelt.
(John is show wearing his brown belt in the associated picture, which is from when he received his Sankyu in April. This is because it appears John snuck out on Monday without getting his picture take. Bad John, old picture for you!)
Accomplished Instructor adds one more to the List - Black Belt
Our dojo has long been honored to feature Sensei Ryan Hanssen as an instructor for the children’s classes, as well as a proctor in adult classes. Sensei Hanssen is a veteran and law enforcement officer, and has been certified to instruct for both, in addition to being a Judoka (judo practitioner) and tournament coach for the past eight years. Judo is not Sensei Hanssen’s first martial art or combat sport, having previously boxed extensively. Ryan managed to achieve all this while raising his two sons, Brayden (5th Junior Rank) and Jayce Hanssen (4th Junior Rank), who both also study jujitsu and muay thai (a brutal style of kickboxing that serves as the foundation for many MMA fighter’s striking game). All this is achieved while being active in his church and community, managing a marriage, and serving as his family’s primary source of transportation (due to disability related complications). Despite the stress and fatigue involved in all of this, Sensei Hanssen is perpetually positive, upbeat, and solution oriented. Until recently his was also “Ikkyu,” or the final rank of brown belt.
On Monday, December 30th, 2024, the students of the Des Moines Judo & Sambo Academy, as well as many of his loved ones, gathered to watch Sensei Ryan Hanssen perform the “Nage-no-Kata,” a set routine of throws to demonstrate skill an competence in technique, if not necessarily combat ability, with John Long serving as his “uke” (person being thrown). This demonstration was the final requirement necessary for Ryan to receive his promotion to “Shodan” or the 1st Degree Blackbelt, which was granted immediately following the performance.
Congratulations and well wishes to the newly minted blackbelt, who chose a spectacular way to close out the year! (Ryan appears right of center in the associated photo in a white gi).
Armored Combat Judoka Receives Yellow Belt
On Monday, December 23rd, 2024, Adam Thompson, tested for and was given his yellow belt or “rokyu.” This initial promotion requires a student demonstrate a a knowledge of some basic judo terminology and knowledge concerning the creation of judo, as well as several basic techniques.
Adam has been a student of the Des Moines Judo & Sambo Academy for months, attending as frequently as his obligations to employment, wife, two children, and blacksmithing practice permit him to do so. He most commonly attends Monday and Wednesday classes, and occasionally makes time for Saturday open mats, time he primarily uses to drill. In addition to judo, Adam also is a competitor in Armor MMA, a form of armed competition where participants are clad in European medieval armor.
Mass Promotion on Monday
Four members who regularly attend Monday classes were all promoted on Monday, December 16, 2024.
Christian Wilson and Kasten Lappe both recieved their first promotion, moving from white belt, which has no Japanese name in the USA Judo ranking system, to yellow belt or “rokyu.” Both young men began training a few months ago, and have wrestling backgrounds, which have benefitted them in transitioning to judo. Both have worked hard, with Christian having already experienced his first competitive win at the Governor’s Cup in November of this year.
Logan Ballanger and Jacob van Cleaf both recieved their third promotion, transferring from orange belt or “gokyu,” to green belt or “yonkyu". The training partners and rivals made fast friends upon first meeting in their first week of training at the Des Moines Judo & Sambo Academy. Since then, they’ve committed to making this journey together, being consistently promoted at the same time, with each at times delaying testing to allow the other more time to prepare and be certain of success. The bantering pair can frequently be found training together, both in our dojo and attending open mats elsewhere to test and further develop their skills.
Both pairs are featured in photograph, along with several of the instructors who helped them make it this far.
Brown Belt Promotion for Long-Standing Member
On December 9, 2024, Romnick Pamatmat tested for and received his first brown belt rank of “sankyu.” Most judo organizations consider the brown belt to the tipping point where you are no longer considered a beginner, and no longer eligible able to participate in the novice division of competition. Attaining the rank is typically requires years of study and practice, as well as demonstrating mastery over several techniques, and competence with several more. The testing is also academic, requiring knowledge of the history of judo and Japanese terminology.
Romnick is a regularly attending member of the Academy and inspiration; not only finding time for health, training, and fitness, but also to raise his three children, all while keeping his wife (and the light of his life) smiling. On the mat, Romnick is a quick and dexterous opponent, frequently darting in and out of gripping range to make lightning fast attacks, most notable drop tai-otoshi, and seoi-nage.
His promotion is well deserved, and this author looks forward to seeing him develop through the ranks remaining between him and the first degree black belt or “sho-dan.”
Dojo Holiday Gathering Scheduled
Des Moines Judo & Sambo Academy is having its annual holiday get together. This year, we’ll gather on December 10th, 2024, at 5:30PM. The venue is the Waterfront Seafood Market, located at 2900 University Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266. We’ll be meeting in the party room. The atmosphere is anticipated to be casual and child friendly. Please contact Sensei Ryan Suhr with a head count for those you expect to bring.
Second Part of Far Travelling Pair Promoted to Yellow Belt
Ian, a regular attendee of Saturday open mats and semi-regular Thursday student, travelling an hour each way from south western Iowa, has finally earned his promotion. Testing at the end of open mat on Saturday, November 22rd, 2024, with Sensei Gary Hilleshiem, Ian earned his yellow belt or “rokkyu.” Ian’s long time friend Jon Millidge served as his “uke” or “person upon whom a throw is performed” for his examination, and stood with him for his promotion picture. Ian is featured in his signature olive drab gi, with its Des Moines Judo & Sambo Academy patch prominently featured.
Ian has a strong general interest in martial arts, and studies jujitsu in addition to judo, as well as several other styles of armed and unarmed combat. However, due to a lifelong dream of studying Judo, Ian began making the drive to Des Moines several months ago to become a member of the Des Moines Judo & Sambo Academy, and we are richer for his choice.
Leo Returns to teach Thursday Evenings
The living legend Leo Rodriguez has returned from his sabbatical and resumed training at our dojo, in addition to running the Grinnell location of Squared BJJ. Leo has stepped up to begin teaching on Thursday evenings in addition to assisting with the children’s classes on Tuesday and Thursday.
Far Travelling Member Promoted
While many of our members were at tournament on November 9th, 2024, Jon Milledge was testing for, and promoted to, “rokkyu,” earning his yellow belt. Jon is a regular attendee of Thursday evening classes and Saturday open mats, who also trains in Bujinkan with Sensei Hilleshiem, and has both a wrestling and MMA background.
Jujitsu Promotion
Logan Ballanger was promoted this past Sunday, November 10th, 2024, at an open mat, receiving his first stripe on his white belt. Logan currently holds the rank of “gokyu” or orange belt in Judo and frequently represents the Des Moines Judo & Sambo Academy at competitions through out the midwest. Logan’s recent use of ground fighting techniques at the 2024 Iowa State Championship the day before his promotion, no doubt contributed to the decision to award his first stripe.
Jujitsu, unlike judo, does not , typically issue a new belt with each rank, instead adding stripes to a black area on the practitioner’s belt until they accumulate their 4th stripe, after which their next promotion results in them being awarded a stripeless belt of a new color.
Great Performance at 2024 Iowa State Championship
Des Moines Judo & Sambo Academy had seven Judoka compete at the 2024 Iowa State Championship, hosted at Teikiatsu Judo in Ames, Iowa, on November 9th, with several wounded members making an appearance to coach and support.
Junior competitors Brayden and Jayce Hanssen each earned silver in their respective divisions after obtaining a win each. Senior women’s medium competitor Olivia McBee also took silver in her division. Josh Pohl, the regular instructor for Thursday evenings, took to mat to claim gold in his division, winning both matches by throw for Ippon. Upon winning his first match via his well honed drop seoi-nage, some crowd member was heard to exclaim “it’s funny when it happens to someone else!” between burst of riotous laughter. Recently joined white belt, but long time wrestler, Christian Wilson was able to claim gold after stepping onto the tatami for the first time and looks to have a strong future in his new found passion.
Lastly, the long standing rivalry between training partners and close friends (some say too close) Logan Ballanger and Jacob van Cleaf had an unexpected upset, with Jacob claiming his first two victories on the competition mat, and the Masters Heavy weight gold medal over Logan. Ballanger found some measure of revenge in the Senior 220+lbs division, claiming victory by pin with Kesa Gatame.
Sunday Class November 3rd, 2024
Sensei Nick Formaro will be teaching class this Sunday, November 3rd, 2024. This will be an extra chance to workshop any techniques and combinations you might be planning on using in tournament on November 9th, 2024. As of the time of the time of this writing, at least 6 students plan on attending, with several others undecided.
Jujitsu Classes Cancelled October 30th and November 4th
The primary instructor for Jujitsu classes will not be available October 30th and November 4th, 2024. Open mats will be held at these times instead.
Alternative Host for Saturday Open Mat
The regular host for Saturday Open Mat, Jacob van Cleaf, will be unable to attend this weekend due to familial obligations. Sensei Jeff Volcheck will be hosting in his place this weekend. This is a great opportunity to get one on one training with a skilled and knowledgeable instructor, and to workshop some moves in advance of the upcoming Iowa State Championship.
Dojo Represented at 2024 Paul Owens Memorial Tournament
The Des Moines Judo & Sambo Academy was present at the Paul Owens Memorial Tournament, held Saturday, October 12th, 2024. A sole Judoka from our dojo, Jacob van Cleaf, made the trip to the Lincoln Martial Arts center to attend this annual event. In addition to the hosting school, several other dojos were present in force, including Uprise Judo Club from York, Nebraska, and Sempai Judo Academy from the Omaha area, both of which were welcoming and willing to adopt the rogue attendant from our Academy for the day. Numerous competitors of all sizes were present, offering the super heavy weight competitor not only several matches with new opponents, but the rare opportunity to compete in the masters age bracket, had he chosen to do so.
Jacob, an orange belt or “gokyu,” competed in the novice and open divisions for his weight, earning a bronze and silver medal respectively.
Upcoming Tournament in Ames
The Iowa State Championship will be held in Ames, Iowa on Saturday, November 9th, 2024. Check in and on site enteries 8:30 to 9:30am Nov.9th. Referees meeting will be held at 10am. Tournament competition will begin at 10:30am. All competitors should register via SmoothComp at the link below.
https://usajudo.smoothcomp.com/en/event/19661
Jujitsu Promotions!
Two students were recently promoted in Jujitsu! Congratulations!
Congratulations to Josh Pohl and Zac Strahl, both of whom were promoted in their Jujitsu training last night. Each of them received a stripe on their white belt, denoting a substantial increase in skill and understanding. Each has worked hard to achieve this, and has substantially improved their ground game in the process.
Jujitsu classes are available to all members of the Des Moines Judo & Sambo Academy as part of their membership. See class schedule for dates and times.