(USA-TKJ) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TRADITIONAL KODOKAN JUDO ®
  • OFFICIAL SITE
    • USA-TKJ ® Blog
    • Contact Us
  • Kodokan Judo
    • History of Kodokan Judo
    • Jigoro Kano - Founder of Kodokan Judo >
      • Teachings of Kano Shihan
      • Prof. Kano on Judo & Olympics
    • The Founding of Kodokan Judo
    • Jigoro Kano's Life & Achievements
    • Kata of Kodokan Judo
    • Judo Terminology
    • Tour The Kodokan
    • Atemi Waza of Kodokan Judo
    • Nage Waza of Kodokan Judo
    • Katame Waza of Kodokan Judo
  • USA-TKJ ®
    • Overview >
      • Welcome by President Bruce R. Bethers
      • General Information
      • Organization Structure
      • Sponsors
    • Leadership >
      • Officers & Directors
      • Senior Masters Caucus
      • Committees
      • USA-TKJ Hall of Fame
    • Partners & Affiliates >
      • Group "A" Members
      • Group "B" Members
      • Group "C" Member
      • Group "D" Member
      • Group "E" Member
    • Library & Forms
  • Membership
    • Information
    • Background Checks
    • On-Line Registrations >
      • Annual Membership >
        • US Citizen / US Resident
        • "All American" (Three Natl Orgs) Annual Membership
        • International Affiliate
      • Life Membership >
        • US Citizen / US Resident
        • "All American" (Three Natl Orgs) Life Membership
        • International Affiliate
      • School Membership >
        • Annual School Membership in USA
        • Annual School Membership - International Affiliate
        • "American" School Membership - "Two" National Orgs
        • "All American" School Membership - "Three" National Orgs
        • "Packaged" School Memberships >
          • "Copper" School Membership (10 Students)
          • "Bronze" School Membership (20 Students)
          • "Silver" School Membership (30 Students)
          • "Gold" School Membership (50 Students)
          • "Platinum" School Membership (75 Students)
    • Honored Life Members
  • News / Media
    • USA News >
      • National & US Open Championships
      • Traditional Judo Times
    • World News >
      • TAFISA & IOC - Mutual Support
    • Events >
      • Upcoming >
        • USA TRADITIONAL KODOKAN JUDO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
      • Reports >
        • Reno Judo Club Seminar, May 2022
        • USA-TKJ Hall of Fame
        • International Judo Camp, 2017
    • Photo Galleries >
      • Training Photos
      • Celebration Photos
      • Competition Photos
  • Yudanshakai
    • National Yudanshakai
    • USA-TKJ ® National Rank System
    • Background Checks
    • Minimum Age & Time In Grade Standards
    • Rank Certification Procedures
    • Mandatory Leader Training
    • Senior Dan Grades Promotion Policy
    • Request Rank Certification >
      • National Judo KYU Grade (USA-TKJ)
      • National Judo DAN Grade (USA-TKJ)
      • International Judo DAN Grade (ITKJ)
    • USA-TKJ ® Instructor - Examiner Certification
    • USA-TKJ ® Rank Requirements
  • Store
    • Kiai Budo Shop
    • Cafe Press Store
  • Resources
    • Articles & Essays >
      • Rediscovering Kodokan Judo
      • The Art of Kodokan Judo
      • Mission of Kodokan Judo
      • Principals of Judo in All Human Activity
      • Training in Kodokan Judo
      • The Path of Traditional Judo
      • Kodokan Bojutsu - Staff Fighting
      • Judo: The Japanese Art of Self Defense
      • Inside Nage no Kata
      • Understanding Japanese Martial Art
    • School Directory
    • Training & Certification >
      • Seminars
      • Instructors-Examiners
      • Coaching Certifcation
      • Referees Certification
    • Events Sanctions
    • Anti-Doping
    • Competition Rules
    • Leader Biographies
    • Website Privacy Statement
Picture
Picture
Bruce R. Bethers
Picture
Bruce R. Bethers

Founding Life Member of USA Traditional Kodokan Judo (USA-TKJ)
USA-TKJ President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 
Chairman - USA-TKJ Board of Directors

Member - USA-TKJ Central Technical Committee            
                                                                                                                                        
Bruce R. Bethers is the President of USA Traditional Kodokan Judo (USA-TKJ), the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF), the North American Jiu-Jitsu Union (NAJJU), and is on the Board of Directors of the USA Karate Federation (USAKF) and the Panamerican Jiu-Jitsu Federation (PJJF). He also serves as the Secretary General of the Martial Arts International Federation (MAIF).

Bruce Bethers "first stepped on the mat" in 1963 at the age of 13 and began his Martial Arts training in Ju-Jitsu & Kodokan Judo under his first Instructor Sensei John J. Chaffin, Chief Instructor & Founder of the American Martial Arts Society and Sensei Koichi Kobayashi, Hirosaki, Japan Buddhist Ju-Jitsu Academy. His other important Ju-Jitsu & Judo Sensei "Mentors" were Clif Norgaard, Fred Stacey and David Wire. He was promoted to the rank of Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Ju-Jitsu & Judo in 1965. He also began his Karate training in 1964 under Sensei Guy Poos. At that point in Bruce's life, he was working as a physical education instructor for the YMCA where he taught Ju-Jitsu, Karate & Judo at three different "Y" branches in Oklahoma City, OK.

He was promoted to the rank of Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Karate in 1967. He began his Kendo training in 1970. He taught Martial Arts in the YMCA from 1965 to 1989, with only a four-year break due to active duty in the U.S. Army. During his college years (1968-1973), he also trained in Ching-Yi Kung Fu under Dr. Her Yue Wong & was promoted to Black Belt in Kung Fu in 1973. While serving in Europe, (1974-1977) Shihan Bethers organized the European Armed Forces Martial Arts Association. During his four-year tour of duty in Europe, the EAFMAA held many seminars & tournaments in Germany, France, England & Greece (to include the Bi-Centennial Armed Forces Karate Championships in 1976). In 1977, Shihan Bethers trained & served as the Official U.S. Armed Forces Coach for the "American Team" at the European Tae Kwon Do Championships held in Rotterdam, Holland. He trained in Tae Kwon Do under Kim Kwang IL in Stuttgart, Germany. He received his 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1976.

Upon his return from active duty in 1978, Shihan Bethers worked for the YMCA in Oklahoma first as a Program Director, then as Associate Executive Director in Oklahoma City, and later as the Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland County YMCA in Norman Oklahoma. In 1981, Sensei Bethers coordinated the merger of the European Armed Forces Martial Arts Association (EAFMAA) and the American Martial Arts Society (AMAS) into the United States Martial Arts Association (USMAA). The USMAA was incorporated in Oklahoma in 1981. The original USMAA is now known as the United States Martial Arts Federation, www.usmaf.org. During his service as CEO for the YMCA, he planned, organized & managed the largest YMCA in Oklahoma, (building a five million dollar facility with10,000 members & 200 programs). He conducted many Martial Arts seminars & tournaments at this YMCA from 1982 through 1989. In 1989, Shihan Bethers retired from the YMCA to continue his military career.

From 1989-1990, Shihan Bethers organized & managed the Army National Guard Urban Warfare School, where he taught Hand-to-Hand Combat to the School's Instructors and developed the "Program of Instruction" for the Army National Guard's Urban Warfare School. From 1990 to 2003, Shihan Bethers, (now Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army Ret) served as an Army Contracting Officer. In Kuwait, during Desert Storm Operations, (after the Liberation of Kuwait) Shihan Bethers provided Martial Arts training for the U.S. Soldiers stationed at Camp Doha, Kuwait (1991-1992). Lt. Col. Bethers' last military duty assignment was Chief of Contracting for the Nevada Army & Air National Guard. He retired from the US ARMY with 31.5 years of military service.

Shihan Bethers worked at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. (2003 - 2012) providing acquisition support with the Defense Contracting Command-Washington and the US Army Intelligence Command. He also conducts USJJF, USA-TKJ, USAKF and USMAF seminars throughout the U.S. and Internationally.  In 2012 - 2013, he deployed to SW Asia as an Acquisition Consultant (with CACI) supporting the US Army.

In 2014, Bruce Bethers retired from Acquisition Management supporting the U.S. Military and is now serving full-time in the position of President & CEO for USJJF, USA-TKJ & USMAF.  

Bruce Bethers holds a Bachelors Degree (B.A.) in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma, a Masters of Business Administration Degree (M.B.A., with Honors) from Oklahoma City University, Graduate from the U.S Army Engineer Officer School and is a Graduate of the U.S. Army's Command & General Staff College.

Bruce Bethers has assisted in the Translation & Publication of several Resource Books & Manuals to include the following Titles:
.        The Self-Defense of Kodokan Judo
.        Judo Kyohan
.        Tenjin Shinyo Ryu Jujutsu
.        Kodokan Judo - Atemi Waza
.        Kodokan Judo - Kime No Kata
.        Jigoro Kano - Writings of Kodokan Judo Founder

​.        Goshin Jutsu - Self Defense
.        Tambo Jutsu

​.        United States Ju-Jitsu ® 5th Kyu thru 1st Dan Rank Requirements 
.        United States Ju-Jitsu ® 1st Dan thru 5th Dan Rank Requirements 
.​       
 USA-TKJ Rank Requirements (For Juniors, For Seniorts and for Dan Grades)

Bruce Bethers has also Co-Authored of the following Books:
.         The Lost Kata of Kodokan Judo
.         Traditional Kodokan Judo - The Self-Defense of Kyuzo Mifune
.         Kazuo Ito Goshin Jutsu - Traditional Judo

.         Joshi Goshin Ho - Self Defense for Women of Traditional Judo
.         Jujutsu No Kigen
.         Taiho Jutsu
.         Te Hodoki​
.         Shushinho - The Superior Level of Judo
-         Torite No Kata - Traditional Judo
-         Seiryoku Zenyo - Jita Kyoei, Kodokan Judo
-         Ne-Waza  Traditional Judo - Jujutsu
-         Taiho Jutsu, 1st Dan Program
.         Shushinho, The Superior Level of Judo


Bruce Bethers' Martial Arts Organization Service and Awards:
·         Executive Technical Advisor & Board Member, American Martial Arts Society (1967-1981)
·         Member, Korea Yudo Academy, Seoul, Korea (1973 - Present)
·         Life Member, Ching Yi Kung Fu Association (1973 - Present)
·         President, U.S. European Armed Forces Martial Arts Association (1974 -1977)
·         Life Member, United States Judo Association (1975 - Present)
·         Member, Kodokan Judo Institute, Tokyo, Japan (1975 - Present)
·         Member, International Tae Kwon Do Federation (1977 - Present)
·         U.S. Coach for the "American Team", 1977 ITF Tae Kwon Do Championships, Rotterdam
·         President, Oklahoma Judo Association (USJI) (1978 -1981)
·         President, Shihan-Ryu Institute International (1997 - Present)
·         Member, Kwanmukan International (1998 - Present)
·         USA Senior Delegate, 1998 JJIF World Championships, Berlin, Germany
·         President, United States Martial Arts Federation (USMAF) (1981 - Present)
·         President, United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) (1999 - Present)
·         JJIF Continental Class Fighting System & DUO System Referee, (1999 - Present)
·         USA Senior Delegate and Referee, JJIF / EJJU European Championships (1999)
·         Life Member & Western Region Representative, USA Karate Federation (1999 - Present)
·         Life Member, United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) (1998 - Present)
·         Secretary General, Martial Arts International Federation (MAIF) (1998 - Present)
·         Board of Directors, Nevada Judo Association (1999 - 2010)
·         Life Member, Central Tae Kwon Do Association of the USA (1999 - Present)
·         President, North American Ju-Jitsu Union (NAJJU) (1999 - Present)
.         Secretary General, Panamerican Jiu-Jitsu Federation (PJJF) (1999 - Present)
·         Director, NAJJU North American Championships, Akron, Ohio, USA, (2000)
·         Director, US Ju-Jitsu Jr. & Sr. National Championships, (2000 - Present)
·         National Director, USJJF National Training Camps, (1999 - Present)
·         USA Senior Delegate, World Ju-Jitsu Congress, (Berlin-1998, Paris-2000, Hamburg-2001, Barcelona-2002,           .        Madrid-2004, Rotterdam-2006, Stockholm-2008)
·         Life Member, Korean Martial Arts Instructor Association (2000 - Present)
·         USA Senior Delegate and Referee, JJIF World Championships, Copenhagen, Denmark (2000)
·         USA Senior Ju-Jitsu Delegate, 6th World Games, Akita, Japan (2001)
·         USA Senior Delegate, JJIF World Championships, Uruguay (2002)
·         "Sadaki Nakabayashi Award" for Outstanding Technical Excellence (2003)
·         USA Senior Delegate, JJIF World Championships, Spain (2004)
·         Vice President, Pan American Ju-Jitsu Union, (PAJJU), (2004 - 2014)
·         "National Leadership Excellence Award" for conducting Multiple Training Symposiums across the USA (2005)
·         USA Senior Delegate, JJIF World Championships, Netherlands (2006)
·         USA Senior Delegate, US Ju-Jitsu Friendship Tour to France (2006)
·         USA Senior Delegate, JJIF World Championships, Sweden (2008)
·         United States Ju-Jitsu "Sensei of the Year" for 2009
·         International Ju-Jitsu Referee, 1st  Asian Martial Arts Games in Thailand - Olympic Council of Asia  (2009)
·         Secretary General, World Judo Federation (2011 - 2016)

·         USA Representative, World Ju-Jitsu Federation (2015 - 2020)
·            USA Representative, World Ju-Jitsu Kobudo Organization (2015 - 2020)
·         USA Senior Delegate, World Ju-Jitsu Congress - Belfast, Ireland (2015)
·         USA Senior Delegate, World Ju-Jitsu Congress - Rome, Italy (2016)
​.         WJJF / WJJKO Chairman for North America (2016 - 2020)
​.         SJJI Chairman for North America (2017 - Present)

​.         Sr. Instructor for International Martial Arts Seminar in Toledo, Spain (2017)
​.         Sr. Instructor for International Judo Camp, near Edinburgh, Scotland (2017)
.         Kwanmukan International's "Kwanmukan Shihan" Award (2018)
​.         USA Representative, International Ju-Jitsu Congress - Portugal (2018)
.         George E. Anderson Legacy Award - USAKF Hall of Fame (2019)
.         Pioneer of USA Ju-Jitsu - USJJF Hall of Fame (2019)
.         Pioneer of USA Traditional Kodokan Judo - USA-TKJ Hall of Fame (2019)

.         Sr. Instructor for International Ju-Jitsu Camp in Rome, Italy (2021)
.         Sr. Instructor for International Taikai near Madrid, Spain (2021)
.         International Judo Sensei Award (2022) - USA Unified Martial Arts Hall of Fame
.         International Ju-Jitsu Sensei Award (2022) 
- USA Unified Martial Arts Hall of Fame

Bruce Bethers' Current Martial Art Ranks:

·      Kudan, (9th Dan Black Belt) in United States Ju-Jitsu Federation - USJJF, National Federation of Ju-Jitsu - Spain,  National Federation of Ju-Jitsu - Italy, Panamerican Jiu-Jitsu Federation (PJJF) and the World Organization of Self-Defense   
·        Hachidan, (8th Dan Black Belt) - World Ju-Jitsu Federation (WJJF), World Ju-Jitsu Kobudo Organization                (WJJKO), Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF), Seishinkai Ju-Jitsu International (SJJI) 
·        Hachidan, (8th Dan Black Belt) in Kito Ryu Ju-Jitsu - Hirosaki Ju-Jitsu Academy, Japan
·      Hachidan, (8th Dan Black Belt) in Karate-Do - USA Karate Federation (USAKF) & United States                Martial Arts Federation (USMAF)
·      Hachidan, (8th Dan Black Belt) in Traditional Kodokan Judo - USA Traditional Kodokan Judo, (USA-TKJ),     Panamerican Judo Union (PJU), World Judo Federation (WJF), & Martial Arts International Federation (MAIF)
·        Shichidan, (7th Dan Black Belt) in Tenjin Shinyo Ryu Ju-Jutsu - Hirosaki Ju-Jutsu Academy
·        8th Dan, Tae Kwon Do - Central Tae Kwon Do Association of the USA (CTA-USA)
·        6th Duan Black Belt in Ching Yi Kung Fu - CYKFA
·        Godan, (5th Dan Black Belt) in Kendo - USMAF & MAIF


Bruce Bethers can be contacted at the following address:

USA Traditional Kodokan Judo (USA-TKJ) National Office - 
LTC Bruce R. Bethers (US ARMY Ret)
E-Mail:  [email protected].
Phone: 775-851-8875 
Shihan Bethers' Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/bruce.bethers

What Our Members Are Saying

Picture
Jigoro Kano - Founder of Kodokan Judo
Bill Cooley, "The USA-TKJ does not depend on "sport judo" to train, evaluate or recognize progress of a Judoka".

Patrick Hickey, “Historic Judo concepts are crucial to maintain as more and more Judo organizations change to meet the current competition fades. USA-TKJ keeps faith with these traditional values!”

Contact Us

USA-TKJ National Office:
Email: Click Here.!!

Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
JOIN WITH US TODAY..!!
All contents Copyright © 2005-2025 by the United States of America Traditional Kodokan Judo ®.
"USA TRADITIONAL KODOKAN JUDO", "USA-TKJ", "US TRADITIONAL KODOKAN JUDO", "USTKJ"​, and Our Logos are
Registered
® Trademarks of "United States of America Traditional Kodokan Judo" ® - HQs in Reno, Nevada USA