Olympic Judo Dojo
Lead Instructor Ronnie Nicholson:
Judo Career:
According to Nicholson, “I would be remiss in my loyalty if I did not begin by paying homage to my coach, Marty “Nails” Martin. Martin was a native Louisianan, who arrived in California after severing in the Pacific theater during WWII. During his WWII tour he was exposed to Judo by Japanizes prisoners of war. In California he began playing judo under the great Two Time National Judo Grand Champion Gene LeBell. After returning to Louisiana he opened the first judo club in New Orleans. It is here that Nicholson started Judo in 1958. Martin exposed all his judoka to constant competition through extensive travel & brought in the some of best instructors the US had available. Nicholson also studied under Ryozo Nakamura (6th Dan), an instructor of the great Anton Geesink in Japan who became both the World & 1964 Olympic Heavy Weight Champion. He also studied under Nori Bunasawa (8th Dan), All Japan Weight Limit champion, 1969 Japanese World Team (Alternate), and 1995 US World Team Coach. Bunasawa is also the author of “The Toughest Man Who Ever Lived”. A must read for any true Martial Art connoisseur!
Nicholson is currently recognized by the Olympic Committee’s USA Judo as a “National Level Judo coach”.
Nicholson below on the right Circa 1961:
Elite Competition Record:
1977 World Judo Championship Pre-Trials for Barcelona, Spain
(Nicholson on right facing)
Major Competition - Record:
v Grand Championships are no longer held but back then the Gold Medalist of each weight division would fight each other to determine the “Grand Champion” of the tournament!
Accolades & Regional Competition Highlights:
Rank Promotions:
At the 1966 YMCA National Judo Championships, Nicholson, at 15 years old, took Gold in both the junior & the 139 lb. Senior Men’s division in the same Night. The Batsugun was awarded after defeating 2 Nidans, 3 Shodans and 5 additional senior opponents. He also had 7 wins in the junior division.
Assistant Instructor Tony Beauboief:
Martial Arts career:
Tony also began his martial arts training in 1989 in Judo under Marty “Nails” Martin. He holds the rank of Nikyu (2nd Degree brown Belt) in Judo. Tony also has many judo tournaments wins under his belt but above all he displays great dedication, hard work, an appreciation for judo in particular and the martial arts in general!
Tony also trains in Minami Ryu Jujitsu with Jack Garret. After training with Jack for over 17 years he now holds the Jujitsu rank of Shodan, and continues to train and teach in that style of Jujitsu.
Memberships:
Lifetime Member of United States Ju-Jitsu Federation
Member USA Judo