Sensei Randy Russell, 7th Degree Black Belt
Did you know we have a living Judo legend living right here in Columbia, Missouri?
A Visual Story of Sensei Russell's Judo Legacy
Sensei Russell's Background, Accomplishments and Ranks:
Below is a partial list of Sensei Russell’s accomplishments, ranks and accolades going back fifty years! This information is in no particular order and in the future, copies of various certificates, old newspaper articles and pictures will be uploaded to the site!
Sensei Russell’s Judo Credentials
Missouri Judo Inc. - President
Mid-Missouri Judo - Instructor Emeritus
Show Me State Games - Chairman (former)
Missouri Judo Promotion Board - Chairman
United States Judo Regional Referee
Missouri Judo Inc. - Chairman Coaching Certification
Advisor - Tactical Judo Solutions
Advisor - Mid Missouri Public Safety Consulting and Training LLC
Sensei Russell’s Practical Teaching Experience
Mid- Missouri Judo (current)
Law Enforcement Training Institute - University of Missouri, Columbia
Law Enforcement Training Center - Moberly Area Community College
Missouri Department of Public Safety Specialist Instructor
PPCT Defensive Tactics Instructor
American Street Edge Self-Defense Systems Seminar Instructor
Numerous Judo schools and clubs in multiple states
Westminster College - Fulton, Missouri
Mineral Area College - Park Hills, Missouri
Sensei Russell’s Promotions and Awards
7th Degree Black Belt (Shichidan) - USA Judo - July 15th, 2013
3rd Degree Black Belt - Shingitai Goshin-Jitsu Association
AAU Masters Judo Championships - National Champion 1995
All Marine Corps Judo Champion - 1970
Missouri Valley AAU Grand Champion - 1995
Midwestern Judo Association Six States Champion - 1972
Missouri State Police Olympics Grand Champion - 1971
Show Me State Games Open Weight Gold Medalist
Sensei Randol Russell began his Judo Career in 1963 at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. Sensei Heidi Saito from Japan was his first instructor. He later joined the Marines where Sensei Russell placed first in the All Marine Corps Championships in 1970.
Sensei Russell always mentions the names of, and shows respect for the many greats and legends that he has trained with, starting with Bill Dye, Ernie Cates and Sgt. Major Mayfield in the Marine Corps. In the past fifty years, he has been on the mat training and teaching with many, including Paul Mauryama, Jim Bregman, Roy Moore Sr., Hank Okumura, Dr. Koiwai and Keiko Fukada, as well as Sensei Ron Hanson and Sensei Pat Burris.
Sensei Russell has competed against some of the best Judo teams and players in the world, most notably Tokai University. He was also once invited by Mr. Henry Okuruma to travel to Chicago to compete against Tokai University, where he met Yamashita, Isao Inokuma and many others, a fond memory of his to this day.
Many years ago in a letter to a Rank and Certification Committee, Randy Russell wrote the following, “Because I have had the honor of being around these Judo greats, I have dedicated my Judo career teaching what has been given to me, and passing on to others what the true meaning of this art is:
Mutual Welfare and Benefit to all.
Partial List of Various Certificates and Accomplishments of Sensei Randy Russell
7th Degree Black Belt (Shichidan) - USA Judo - July 15th, 2013
International Gold Judo Coach - USA Judo - 2022
Rokudan Rank (6th Degree Black Belt) - USA Judo - 10/19/2006
Certificate of Judo Teacher - United States Judo Federation - 02/08/1974 (numerous recertifications since)
Godan Judo Rank - The National College of Martial Arts - 02/15/1995
Class D Official - Midwestern Judo Association - 07/01/1973
PPCT Defensive Tactics Instructor - PPCT Management Systems - 12/13/1997 (numerous recertifications since)
Specialist Instructor - State of Missouri Department of Public Safety - 08/18/1994 (numerous recertifications since)
Shodan Rank - Midwestern Judo Association - 07/30/1973
1973 Membership granted for Mid-Missouri Judo Club by the United States Judo Federation
Life Membership Award - United States Judo Association - 08/26/1987
Sankyu Rank - Midwestern Judo Association - 01/06/1968
State Judo Coach Certification - USA Judo - 2006
Nikyu Rank - Midwestern Judo Association/United States Judo Association- 09/27/1970
Ikkyu Rank - Midwestern Judo Association/United States Judo Association - 02/18/1973
Shodan Rank (1st Degree Black Belt) - United States Judo Association - 06/30/1973
Nidan Rank (2nd Degree Black Belt) - United States Judo Association - 03/06/1976
Masters Teaching Rank Judo - The American Teachers Association of the Martial Arts 06/01/1996
Rokudan Rank (6th Degree Black Belt) - USA Judo - 10/19/2006
Check back often for updates to include uploaded certificates and pictures, tremendously exciting news about new schools and clubs opening up and more!
If you you are interested in individual lessons, group classes or even setting up a special seminar at your work or with your friends, please click below to send an email to get more information on training with a living legend of Judo!
Testimonials for Sensei Randy Russell
(The following are excerpts from letters of reference written by fellow martial artists)
My name is Timothy J Fancher. I’m a 4th degree black belt in American Kenpo Karate and the founder and senior instructor of American Street Edge LLC. I first met Mr. Russell as a cadet at the Law Enforcement Training Center (police academy) in Moberly, Missouri in 2000. At that time, I already had earned my black belt in Kenpo, as well as a black belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1986. I thought the same thing then as I do now, over twenty four years later, this is the single greatest martial artist and instructor that I
have ever met.
Mr. Russell was the Defensive Tactics instructor and I was so impressed with his deep understanding of teaching untrained individuals how to begin to have the proper mindset to train to survive the streets. Mr. Russell demonstrated a true master level knowledge of body mechanics, psychology, physiology and the nature of violence. What has also been so impressive since that first class, is that while Sensei Russell’s
focus is sport Judo and producing champions, he is able to integrate street self-defense training at all levels so effortlessly in his classes and seminars.
Since then, he has been a mentor, a friend, a colleague and an instructor as our personal and professional relationship has grown over the years. For all of the many accomplishments and accolades Mr. Russell has earned, the single most impressive attribute he has is his absolute commitment to his students. With over thirty five years of martial arts experience, I have had the opportunity to train with and co-teach with some of the greatest martial artists in America; and Mr. Russell is still the best!
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My name is Bobby Calvert and I am a 21 year law enforcement officer. Iam employed with the Moberly Police Department and hold the rank of Sergeant.
I first met Randy Russell 21 years ago while I was attending the police academy in Moberly, Missouri where he was our defensive tactics instructor.
Mr. Russell was very informative and knowledgeable in his subject matter.
He was and is still highly respected within the law enforcement community.
In February 2020, I was able to reunite with Mr. Russell through Judo. Since then, we have continued to train throughout the week and some weekends. Mr. Russell has helped me receive my coaching certification
through USA Judo. In 2021 we opened a USA Judo certified training center in Moberly where Mr. Russell is the Sensei and Club Administrator. Without Mr. Russell, we wouldn’t have Judo in our small rural community.
I own a small local training company, Mid Missouri Public Safety Consulting and Training LLC, that specializes in defensive tactics for law enforcement and self-defense for civilians. I am successful due to much of the training Mr. Russell has taught me.
I’ve been approached by my Judo black belts who have told me I am fortunate to have started my Judo journey with Mr. Russell.
Some say Judo is a dying art but I believe it will stay alive as long as we have Sensei’s like Mr. Russell to pass on knowledge, wisdom and bring Judo to our small rural communities.
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My name is Clint Nickelson. I am a Sergeant with the Columbia, Missouri Police Department. I have been employed as a law enforcement officer for the last eighteen years.
I have been a member of the Mid Missouri Judo Club, under the guidance of Sensei Randol Russell for that last thirty-four years, currently holding the rank of Sandan, third degree black belt. During that time, I have competed in countless local, state and regional tournaments, as well as winning gold medals in three Amateur Athletic Union National Championships. I traveled to Japan as a teenager, and had the opportunity to compete with international competitors, including training at the founding place of judo, the Kodokan, in Tokyo.
During my law enforcement career, I have acted as a Defensive Tactics Instructor for the Columbia Police Department for the last thirteen years. I have successfully instituted judo techniques I learned from Sensei Russell into the defensive tactics curriculum through in-service training and new recruit training.
I owe all of these opportunities and any accolades I have received from the judo community to Sensei Russell.
Sensei Russell has served as a mentor, teacher, friend and hero not only to me, but to hundreds of athletes through his many years of service.
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I met Randy more than 20 years ago when I was an (aging) competitor in the Missouri
Show Me State Games Judo competition. He organized and ran that competition for many years.
I have worked closely with him as a fellow officer of Missouri Judo, Inc. for more than 10 years; MJI is the sport’s state organization and of which Randy is the long-time President. Randy’s lifelong devotion to the sport of judo both nationally and, more importantly, in the state of Missouri is amazing for its breadth.
Randy’s history reflects an outstanding record as a judo competitor going back to his
days in the United States Marine Corps and before, but is even more impressive relating to his role as a coach, mentor, and trainer for so many judokas (judo players), law enforcement officers and personnel, and youth, for more than fifty years. He has trained and coached hundreds of athletes, many of whom have gone on to success in national and international judo competition.
Similarly, he has worked with and trained generations of law enforcement officers at police academies throughout the state, incorporating judo in effective defense and response techniques.
As the years passed into decades, rather than relax and settle into a well-earned emeritus role in judo, Randy increased his efforts. First, Randy resurrected Missouri Judo, Inc. in 2005, with the intent and purpose of growing the sport throughout the state. That effort has been an unqualified success, and has expanded to include connections with judo organizations in the states of Kansas, Arkansas, Illinois, and throughout the Midwest. Missouri Judo, through the efforts of Randy, is well established and will serve as a solid foundation here for the sport in the
years to come.
Additionally, Randy has long been involved with USA Judo, the sport’s national
governing body associated with the International Judo Federation and with Olympic judo. He is on the USA Judo committees for rank Promotion and Coaching Certification, and serves as an advisor and coaching mentor to judokas and judo organizations throughout the country.
Bart C. Sullivan
Sandan (3rd Degree) Blackbelt, Judo
Certified National Coach, USA Judo
Coach/Instructor, Wesco Moo Do Kwan
Treasurer, Missouri Judo, Inc.
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I have been involved in the sport of Judo since 1980 and have never met someone who more clearly embodies the “Mutual Welfare” spirit of judo more than Randy Russell. Always one to proactively lend a hand, Randy immediately stepped forth to assist me upon the passing of my original sensei. This simple act of kindness jump started my renewed growth in the sport and has resulted in a thriving judo program at my school in Cedar Hill, Missouri.
The example above, however, is but a microscopic facet of Randy’s overall character. From a larger perspective, Randy has tirelessly served for many years as the president of Missouri Judo, Inc., the non-profit representative organization for USA Judo in Missouri. In his role, Randy has mentored countless judoka / club owners, organized major tournaments, and assisted with the advancement of judo throughout Missouri. Further, Randy is on the national promotion board for USA Judo, where he engages in evaluating the qualifications of some of the highest ranked, Olympic-caliber judo players nationwide.
I have thus far failed to mention Randy’s personal judo accomplishments, which are substantial. Randy was a national-level competitor during the 1970s who enjoyed immense success. During that time, Randy trained with and subsequently passed along key teachings from legendary Japanese judo players reaching back into the early 1970s. These unique experiences have enabled Randy to assist with the training of law enforcement officers statewide in defensive tactics and led to his attainment of a seventh-degree black belt in judo.
John Moseley Yodan (Black Belt 4th Degree),
USA Judo Head Judo Instructor- Missouri Martial Arts, Cedar Hill, MO
Secretary, Missouri Judo, Inc.