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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
No Jujitsu Today
Due to unavoidable circumstance, there will be no Jujitsu class this evening, September 18th, 2024. Jujitsu class will resume normally next Monday. We apologize for any inconvenience.