On this very special evening we recognize, and celebrate the best and the brightest in the Martial Arts world both past and present……..

Several glass trophies and awards with gold logos and inscriptions, arranged on a surface with a dark background, some awards have red accents and are transparent, including a tall, hexagonal-shaped award in the back.

What makes this award ceremony so unique as that all nominees, and award recipients were chosen by their peers in the martial arts.

A promotional poster for the movie 'Enter the Dojo' featuring a collage of characters, a lion mascot, and text indicating it is a two-season collector's edition with bonus content. The main character in the center is pointing to his red shirt with the initials 'M S N', surrounded by diverse characters in martial arts settings.

ABOUT THIS YEAR'S HOST

Three men in martial arts uniforms standing on a red mat in a dojo. The wall behind them has a large sign saying 'AMERI-DO-TE - Best of All, Worst of None,' with a bear mascot. There are flags and a door to the adult bathroom on the right.

Matt Page

AKA
MASTER KEN

Matt Page is an actor, director and writer that currently stars as Master Ken in the popular web series called Enter The Dojo Show.

Matt Page has starred in numerous movies with his recent one being The Paper Tigers.

In addition to being a actor, Matt Page is also a expert martial artist, being a black belt in at least two styles. Matt had used his experience of being taught by numerous instructors to create the character of Master Ken, who he uses to parody martial arts instructors.

Enter the dojo show

Meet the 2024 Award Recipients

2024 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient

Jason Morris sensei

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The Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed upon an individual who has contributed extensive leadership, dedication and service to the promotion of martial arts. Recipients of this award are selected by not only their work in the promotion of their art. But by their contribution to the teaching of principles that aid in building a stronger and healthier community over a lifetime.

A little about Morris Sensei

Jason Morris sensei is an American retired judoka. He was a four-time Olympian and 2008 Olympic Coach, best known for winning the silver medal in the ‍–‍78 kg weight category in the 1992 Summer Olympics and a Bronze Medal in the 1993 World Judo Championships. He is a Hachidan (8th Degree Black Belt) in Judo. Morris sensei is also the Owner/Operator of Real Judo Magazine, and the Owner/Head Instructor: JASON MORRIS JUDO CENTER (JMJC) – 584 Rt. 50, Glenville, NY

more on Morris sensei can be found at: www.realjudo.net

Two judo competitors in white gis battling on the mat during a match at a tournament, with spectators watching in the background.

Two judo athletes engaged in a match, with one executing a throw on the other. Several judges or officials sit behind a table in the background, observing the match, with a scoreboard displaying scores.

2024 Martial Arts Living Legend Award recipient

Miki Takemori

Toshi Budokai Judo Club

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Two martial artists practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on blue mats; one is lying on the ground while the other kneels over them.

Two women practicing judo on a blue mat, one executing a throw on the other.

A living legend as defined by Merriam Webster: is a person who is famous while still living for doing something extremely well. A living legend in the Martial Arts: is a martial artist whose lifetime of contributions, and accomplishments that inspire and establish them as respected and much-loved figures in the eyes of their students and colleagues within the Martial Arts community at large, and make no mistake Miki Takemori personifies what it is to be a living legend

A diverse group of women in martial arts uniforms, with one woman holding a black belt, smiling, surrounded by others in a dojo or training space.

Miki Takemori Sensei comes from what many in the Martial Arts community call Judo royalty. Takemori sensei is the daughter of James Takemori sensei one of the true icons of Judo in the United States, American-born Sensei Takemori served in World War II in the 442nd infantry. He was one of the founders of Shufu Yudanshakai and the Judo Black Belt Association (JBBF), which later became the United States Judo Federation (USJF).

Miki Takemori sensei younger sisters, Robin Takemori Taylor (5th Dan), Chrissy Takemori Kaichi (4th Dan and married to Ron Kaichi, 6th Dan and head sensei of Seinan Dojo, ) and Teri Takemori (7th Dan and IJF – A referee and married to Jason Morris – 4x Olympian and Olympic silver medalist and co-sensei of Jason Morris Judo Center). Her uncle is an 8th degree and is presently the head coach of the US Naval Academy. Before her dad passed away 3 and ½ years ago. He was a 9th Dan and Sensei of Washington Judo Club. He was an IJF -A referee, head coach of both the USA Men’s and Women’s National Judo teams. He was part of the Judo Black Belt Federation which was the original National Judo Organization in the US. Miki's family heritage in judo has left her with a lot of big shoes to follow. She is the president of the Shufu Yudanshakai. A 6th degree Black belt in Judo (USJF and Kodokan) IJF – B referee Head Instructor and co- founder of Toshi Budokai Judo in Braintree MA with John Floyd (4th Dan and my husband) since 1985 · Former Chair of Shufu Board of Examiner (the promotional board for a black belt organization encompassing much of the East Coast of the United States and associated with the United States Judo Federation) Member of United States Judo Federation (USJF) Promotional Board. · USJF Master Teacher Instructor · USJF Self Defense Instructor · Past National competitor. Placed as high as 2nd as a shiai competitor in the Senior National Judo Championships, National Kata Champion (Ju no Kata and Katame no kata), High School and Collegiate Champion. · Presently actively competing in Ju no kata at the National level with Wendy Pietroniro of Shinzon Judo, NH. Both women taking third place at the senior nationals this year.

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Martial Maze Jita-Kyoei – Mutual Benefit and well-being Award recipient

Former world female kickboxing champion Kathy “the punisher” Long

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Cover of Inside Kung Fu magazine featuring two women in martial arts poses, with headlines about martial arts topics and events.

An older man practicing a martial arts move on a woman instructor during a martial arts class, with a woman seated watching in the background and weapons displayed on the wall.

A woman with curly hair wearing a black sports top and a large ornate belt with a star, set against a smoky background.

Kathy Long is an American kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and actress. She has held various kickboxing championships, including two KICK World Kickboxing titles and the WKA and ISKA world titles. Kathy Long now teaches classes and private lessons in Seattle, Washington, as well as seminars internationally. A former world Female Kickboxing Champion, and San Soo kung fu, master Kathy The Punisher Long was never just your average kickboxer. Kathy Long has a martial background that includes the martial arts disciplines of Aikido, San Soo Kung Fu, Brazilian jujitsu, Kali, and Wing Chun Kung Fu. Sifu Long is one of many pioneers that were influential in breaking the standard gender roles in the Martial Arts community. Her past and present work continues to influence, and inspire those in the Martial Arts community. More on Sifu Longs career can be found: https://www.facebook.com/kathylongmma/

Excellence and Service to the Martial Arts Community Award recipient.

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Grandmaster Paul Johnson

Johnson's red dragons

Grandmaster Paul Johnson is a well-known native of Springfield and martial arts figurehead. He holds a 10th degree black belt in Kenpo. He began his journey in the arts in 1969 with Goju under the teachings of Sabu Sanchez and then with Kenpo under the teachings of Kalaii Griffin. He founded the Johnson’s Red Dragons Kenpo Karate Studio in 1986 in Springfield, MA and then moved under the Kenpo organization IKKA headed by Ed Parker. After Ed Parker’s passing, he moved under the Komushin Ryu Federation headed by Wali Islam.
Most of his Black Belt students began training with him when they were just children and are now successful professionals in areas such as senior law enforcement, corrections, social work, medicine, education, entrepreneurships, etc. and give him great credit for their professional success.
He has volunteered his time and effort for the children of Springfield throughout his adult life. His students continually are champion competitors: locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Black Belt students have been selected on National Fighting Teams such as IKKA, Straight Up and CBJ, as well as professional fighting leagues like the WACO Kickboxing League. Several have medaled in World Championships and in 2018 his most senior Black Belt won a Gold Medal at the World Karate Commission’s (WKC) World Championships held in Dublin Ireland.
He, along with his core of Black Belts, have held numerous demonstrations over the years, exhibiting the skills of his students in kata, self-defense, athleticism and focus at local festivals, sporting events and fundraisers. He has taught courses in the community for Women’s Self-Defense at local churches, community centers and businesses. Some of his Black Belts have opened their own karate studios further expanding his teachings in Springfield, Enfield CT, Long Island NY and Lakeport CA.
For more information go to the Johnson’s Red Dragons Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Martial-Arts-School/Johnsons-Red-Dragons-Kenpo-Karate-Studio-374089854491/

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2024 Martial Arts Pioneer Award Recipient

A pioneer can be seen as an individual who is the first to apply or adapt a new method, or a person to be the first to explore a new concept and put it into best practice, and Lady Sensei is all those things all rolled up into one!

Lady Sensei Chisom Gerry is the Founding President of the Women’s Martial Arts Network and the United States Representative of the International Circle of Masters. A Self-defense instructor Lady Sensei has an impressive background in martial arts and combatives. Holding master-level black belts in various disciplines, she possesses extensive knowledge in bladed weapons, empty hand combat, and improvised weapons. Her expertise has earned her recognition and respect in the field, leading her to conduct seminars across North America and the Caribbean. Lady Sensei has even made appearances on popular TV shows such as Disney Plus and the History Channel's "Forged in Fire: Knife or Death" competition, showcasing her skills. Additionally, she was honored as the 2020 Instructor of The Year in the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame. More can be found about ladies sensei at https://www.ladysensei.com

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2024 International Artistic Excellence Award recipient

This award is bestowed upon an individual or group that has shown great artistic excellence in the genre that is Martial Arts. This can be through movies, seminars, demonstrations, expose, cons, and Hall of Fames. We at the Martial Maze appreciate all that you do!

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Demetrius Angelo

Urban Action Showcase

Demetrius Angelo 's 2023 Urban Action, Sshowcase and Expo This is a once a year event that endeavors to Recognize, Promote, Facilitate and Encourage! the participation of filmmakers, actors and industry professionals in the genre of Heroes. It is the premier Action entertainment and Pop Culture platform that celebrates diversity and multicultural achievements by honoring individuals in the past, present and future within the blockbuster Action genre! One of our favorites events at the showcase is the Warner media action, short, film competition! Some of the Winners of this competition and Official Selections have gone on to obtain distributon with Cinemax, Amazon Prime,, and many others in the Video movie industry. This event takes place over two days, you're about Demetrius, Angelo, and the Urban Action Showcase can be found: https://www.urbanactionshowcase.com/about.html

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Poster for Urban Action Showcase & Expo supporting Cinémax, featuring city skyline silhouettes and bold text.

2024 Fighter of the Year

**Denzel “double impact“ Whitley**

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A male boxer inside a boxing ring, wearing red boxing gloves and white boxing shorts with blue trim that has his name 'DENZEL' on the waistband. He has a tattoo on his chest and is flexing his right arm.

Undefeated NABF and USA Massachusetts junior welterweight champion Denzel “Double Impact” Whitley has an impressive 14-0 professional boxing record. His last victory coming by a very impressive second round technical knockout over his opponent March 25th 2024.

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A shirtless male boxer with a championship belt around his waist in a boxing ring, flanked by two men, one in a referee uniform and the other in casual clothes, celebrating victory.

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2024 National Grandmaster Award recipient

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SOKE Haisan Kaleak

A martial arts instructor demonstrates self-defense techniques on a student lying on a blue mat, with several people observing in a gym. Text on the image reads 'The Martial Maze Presents Modern Combatives' with the acronym THE for Throat, Hands, Eyes.

A man dressed in a black martial arts uniform standing in front of a circular emblem with martial arts graphics and text. The emblem is set against a blue background. The frame around the image displays the text "World Headmasters Sokesh Counsel" and "Soke Haisan Kaleak."

Two martial artists practicing self-defense techniques in a dojo, wearing black Gis with patches, against a background featuring martial arts banners and training equipment.

Soke Haisan Kaleak was born in Brooklyn, NY. As a child, he has lived in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brownsville, and East New York. Soke Kaleak is the founder KuroshiKai-Kan which combines the disciplines of Kyokushinkai, Shotokan Karate, Judo, Aikijujutsu and Sanuces Ryu Jiu-Jutsu into a comprehensive martial art. Soke Haisan is the President of "The Family of Sanuces", which is an organization formed in honor of his teacher Supreme Grandmaster Moses Powell. His accomplishments include being a Certified Fugitive Recovery Agent and being a personal protection specialist, he has protected both politicians and business executives. He has trained many law enforcement professionals (State, local and professional). He holds the distinction of having taught martial arts during his military career in Singapore, Okinawa and Hong Kong.

More about Soke Hassan: https://www.facebook.com/sokehk/

Best Martial Arts school of 2024

Worcester martial arts Academy

Group of martial artists in gi uniforms, standing in formation inside a gym, with some wearing black belts and others colored belts, under a red ceiling with martial arts silhouettes on the walls.

At Worcester Martial Arts Academy one can receive a martial arts education in Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), MMA, Boxing, Muay Thai Kickboxing, and Miyama Ryu Jiu-Jitsu, by one of many licensed coaches and sensei’s. A real one stop shop, Worcester Martial Arts Academy is everything one would expect to find when looking for a great dojo to train at. No matter what one's goal is, competition, recreational, or just good self protection self-defense; those goals can be achieved in a nurturing environment. With head instructor and Director Luis Soto at the helm, it’s easy to see why Worcester Martial Arts Academy is receiving Best Martial Arts school of 2024.

More information about Luis Soto sensei and Worcester Martial Arts Academy can be found at:https://worcesterjudo.com

A young man in a blue martial arts uniform taking a selfie in a gym or dojo.

Head Sensei Luis Soto

A woman practicing boxing with a trainer in a gym, while another woman kicks a punching bag in the background.

Three martial artists practicing judo in a dojo, two wearing white and one wearing blue uniforms, with an instructor demonstrating holds.

Two martial artists in white gi uniforms practicing judo; one is on the ground while the other is in a standing position, appearing to execute or practice a throw, in a gym with red and black mats and a training environment.

Martial arts practitioners in a gym, some on the ground training, others standing and observing, with punching bags hanging in the background.

Honoring A Friend

A middle-aged man with gray hair and a fair complexion, smiling, wearing a navy blue sweater over a red collared shirt, standing against a plain white background.

A time of remembrance

for

Robert A. Reilly

1948 - 2024

Dr. Robert A. Reilly was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on February 26,1948 The son of the late Martin and Bernadette Reilly.

He attended parochial school and graduated in 1965 from Technical High School. After enlisting in the Army, he served as a medic in Japan. While there Rob became a member of the military judo team. The chairman of the U.S. Olympic Judo Committee at that time, referred to him as "one of the most skilled U.S. Army judo players stationed in Japan." Rob went on to attain the rank of 6th degree Black Belt and was inducted into the Judo Hall of Fame in the year 2000. Dr. Reilly was the head judo instructor/coach for Sen-I Judo Club, and for sometime trained out of the Jason Morris Judo Center. A member of the United States Judo Association. Dr. Riley went on to become interim president of the association. Always with some thing insightful to say his presence in the world will be missed.