Instructor Team
Sensei Josh Lehmen
Sensei John McDaniel
Sensei John McDaniel
- Sensei Josh Lehmen
- USJF Nage No Kata Certified Instructor
- USJF Katame No Kata Certified Instructor
- USA Judo Certified Regional Referee
- Special Needs Certified Judo Coach
- Multi National Champion / Pan American & World Athlete
- As the lead instructor for Jefferson City Judo, Sensei Lehmen's enthusiasm for the art shows when he is training and working with the students.
- A LETTER FROM SENSEI JOSH
Sensei John McDaniel
Sensei John McDaniel
Sensei John McDaniel
- Sensei John McDaniel an Instructor for Jefferson City Judo Club began his training in 1971 at the Belleville Judo Club in Belleville, Illinois under Sensei Quentin Thompson. He earned his Shodan (1st degree) black belt in 1985. In 1985 he also opened the Perryville Judo Club. He is proud of the many successes of his students in judo as we
- Sensei John McDaniel an Instructor for Jefferson City Judo Club began his training in 1971 at the Belleville Judo Club in Belleville, Illinois under Sensei Quentin Thompson. He earned his Shodan (1st degree) black belt in 1985. In 1985 he also opened the Perryville Judo Club. He is proud of the many successes of his students in judo as well as their lives over the years. He served as the assistant Sensei at Southeast Missouri State University for 4 years. In May of 2014 he earned his Sandan rank; 3rd degree black belt. In January 2018 he became a National Judo Referee and a National Certified Coach.
Coach Roy Tu'ua
Sensei John McDaniel
Sensei Chuck Coffin
- Biography coming soon.
Sensei Chuck Coffin
Youth Coach Kyle Stephan
Sensei Chuck Coffin
- Chuck Coffin began his martial arts journey in May of 1968 when, at age 21, he walked into a small judo dojo in Evansville, Indiana. He loved what he was learning, but was only able to train with them a few months before he entered the US Army. In Rangers and Special Forces he received other unarmed combat training, but his next formal
- Chuck Coffin began his martial arts journey in May of 1968 when, at age 21, he walked into a small judo dojo in Evansville, Indiana. He loved what he was learning, but was only able to train with them a few months before he entered the US Army. In Rangers and Special Forces he received other unarmed combat training, but his next formal training was in Germany, after his Vietnam tour, where he was assigned to a paratrooper unit after his Vietnam tour. He joined a German judo club where no English was spoken. He was the only American and was eventually awarded his “gelb gurtel” (yellow belt). After his discharge, he enrolled at Indiana University and joined the IU judo club, where he trained for five years. Moving to Indianapolis, he joined UAW 1111 Judo Club where he was awarded his Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) in August of 1981. That same month he returned to active duty and was assigned to St. Louis. It was there he met Korean War hero Sensei Bill Kiely, one of the 4 founders of the Rakkasans Martial Arts organization. In 1983 Sensei Kiely promoted him to Shodan in jujitsu. He trained with Sensei Kiely for two years before the Army assigned him to a Special Forces unit in the Washington DC area. He met and trained with Dr. Yoji Kondo, NASA space scientist, author and 4th Dan in judo and 6th dan in Tomiki Aikido. Wherever he was assigned, Chuck tried to find reputable organizations to train with. Several assignments later, the Army selected him to attend US Marine Corps school for two years. There he met Sensei Dave Lamond, retired New York policeman, and began training in Icho Yama Ryu and Miyama Ryu Aiki-jujitsu, eventually being awarded a teaching license in Icho Yama Ryu. After his time with the USMC, he was assigned to Ft. Bragg, with the Special Warfare Center and School. In Fayetteville, NC (adjacent to Ft. Bragg), he began training with Sensei Ron Hansen, 6th dan (and later on the Board of the US Judo Association) and Police Chief of Fayetteville. During his time at Ft. Bragg he was promoted to judo Sandan (3rd degree black belt) by Sensei Hansen. He also taught a course for Central Texas University extension on Defensive Tactics for criminal justice majors and attended by special exemption, the North Carolina Justice Academy Non-Lethal Use of Force training, usually only open to sworn Law Enforcement Officers. He worked closely with Sensei Hansen’s PAL Judo Club for at-risk youth. During his duties at Ft. Bragg he made numerous trips to California, where, with a letter of introduction from Sensei Lamond, he met Sensei (later Shihan) Hawayo “Ken” Kiyama, North American Director of Daito-Ryu Aikijujitsu Kodo-Kai, considered a national treasure of Japan. After observing him, Sensei Kiyama invited him to join the Kodo Kai. Joining the Kodo-Kai is by invitation only. During the next few years, Chuck made trips to Japan with Sensei Kiyama and others. He was eventually promoted to Shodan in Daito-Ryu Aikijujitsu. Upon retiring from the US Army, Chuck returned to St. Louis for a job opportunity and began training again with Sensei Kiely and and the Rakkasans and assisting Sensei Kiely in instruction. In April, 2003, he was inducted into the Rakkasans Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He continued with Sensei Kiely until his passing. After a bit, Chuck began training with Sensei Donn Schucker at Yata no Kagami which he continued for 8 years. In 2022, he moved to Holt’s Summit and a year later discovered Jefferson City Judo and Jujitsu Club, and considers himself very fortunate to have done so. He has been greatly impressed by the quality of the instruction, the warmth and friendliness of the other Sensei’s and the enthusiasm of the students, some of whom are national level competitors and others who have the potential to be. While he is not as active or as strong as he once was, Sensei Chuck is happy to train and assist however he can at Jefferson City Judo and Jujitsu. He hopes he can train and help others to the end of his days.
Youth Coach Race Bartow
Youth Coach Kyle Stephan
Youth Coach Kyle Stephan
- Race is a 2nd degree brown belt in judo, a green belt in Shin-Gi-Tai Jujitsu, and a State Level certified Judo Referee. He's working towards his Regional certification.
Youth Coach Kyle Stephan
Youth Coach Kyle Stephan
Youth Coach Kyle Stephan
Biography coming soon.
A letter from sensei josh
Sensei Josh outlines a few key concepts for being successful at judo.
There are a number things a beginner can do at judo that will assist in increasing your skill and overall understanding of judo. Judo is a difficult art and that is why the more you understand judo, the easier it is. Here are a few key concepts that will help improve your judo.
BE COOPERATIVE
As a partner, try to be as cooperative as possible. Being stiff as a board will only result in being thrown extremely hard and having a group of people who do not want to work with you. So, relax and take the time to learn how to be a good partner. If you do not know how, ask your sensei/coach how you should react when your partner is performing a technique.
LEARN PROPER BREAKFALLS
Learning how to break fall is critical for a beginner. If you cannot fall, you will be scared of getting thrown. This will cause you to be stiff and defensive when your opponent or partner throws you.
GET THERE EARLY AND LEAVE LATE
Getting to training early and leaving late is one of the best habits you can do. The more you hang around at judo, the better you become. It’s that simple.
HAVE A JOURNAL
Write down everything you did at practice. Every so often, open up your journal and read over a few sessions you did a few months ago. This will really help you grasp the concepts of judo a lot quicker.
DON’T LOOK AT THE FEET
Looking at your opponent’s feet is common in nearly every beginner judo class. The whole principle of judo is to feel what your opponent is doing not watch. You should always look at your partner’s chest. By looking at their chest, you can see both of their arms as well as keeping your head up and back straight which is crucial to all throwing techniques.
TRY TO FEEL RATHER THAN MUSCLE
Technique, technique, technique. Try to use as much technique as possible. Use little strength each and every time you perform judo. The more you concentrate on technique, the quicker you will improve your judo skills.
MOST IMPORTANT: HAVE FUN!
In the end, you must have fun at judo. Judo is a fantastic sports and an awesome martial art. Have fun at each every practice and session. Don’t be hard on yourself and remember that somewhere around the world, there is someone a little better than you. Setting daily, short and long term goals is the best way to continually have fun at judo.
See you at practice!
Sincerely,
Sensei Josh
