Instructor Team

Sensei Josh Lehmen began his judo training in 1985 under Sensei Dale Otto earning his Green Belt before taking a break from training in the early 90's. Realizing he missed judo he returned to Jefferson City Judo in 2015 and in 2018 he earned his Shodan rank (1st degree Black Belt). He also began training in Shin-Gi-Tai Jujitsu earning hi

Sensei Josh Lehmen began his judo training in 1985 under Sensei Dale Otto earning his Green Belt before taking a break from training in the early 90's. Realizing he missed judo he returned to Jefferson City Judo in 2015 and in 2018 he earned his Shodan rank (1st degree Black Belt). He also began training in Shin-Gi-Tai Jujitsu earning his Shodan rank in June 2020. Sensei Lehmen earned his Nidan rank (2nd degree Black Belt) in both Judo and Shin-Gi-Tai Jujitsu in March of 2021. 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.

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.

Sensei Phil Rumbaoa an Assistant Instructor for the Jefferson City Judo Club, is a native of Southern California. He began his judo career while attending graduate school at the University of Kansas. From 1982 to 1983, as a member of the KU Jayhawk Judo Club, Sensei Phil advanced from Rokkyu to Gokyu under the guidance of a Japanese gradu

Sensei Phil Rumbaoa an Assistant Instructor for the Jefferson City Judo Club, is a native of Southern California. He began his judo career while attending graduate school at the University of Kansas. From 1982 to 1983, as a member of the KU Jayhawk Judo Club, Sensei Phil advanced from Rokkyu to Gokyu under the guidance of a Japanese graduate student, Sensei Hikaru Deguchi. Graduation from KU brought Sensei Phil back to the Los Angeles area where, from 1983 to 1984, he continued his judo training at the LA Tenri Judo Dojo. At Tenri, Sensei Phil progressed from Gokyu to Ikkyu under the direction of Senseis Keigo Morishita, Hayward Nishioka, and 1980 US Olympic Judo Team Member Steve Seck. While in LA, Sensei Phil also had the opportunity to randori with the USA, Dutch, Belgium, British, and Japanese Olympic judokas in the month before the start of the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games. He also served as a Sports Information Officer for Judo and Wrestling, at the USC Olympic Village during those Olympic Games. Sensei Phil returned to the Heartland in October 1984 and earned his Shodan from Sensei Steve Scott at the Kansas City Welcome Mat Judo Club on May 30, 1986. From mid-1986 through 2021, Sensei Phil was out of judo because, as he says, “life changes just happen!” In Fall 2021, Sensei Phil returned to the mat by the Grace of God—“at the urging of my adult judoka kids Michaela and David” and “at the very kind invitation from Sensei Josh Lehman!”