American Traditional Jujutsu Association : ATJA

08/18/2025

Congratulations to Chris Collins and his dojo on an amazing ATJA Nationals: 275 competitors.

08/18/2025

Congratulations to Dr. Tony Zimkowski. On August 14, 2025, Professor Tom Ryan, Professor Richard Cooper, and ATJA President Charles Schweizer traveled to Maumee, Ohio to present Dr. Zimkowski with his promotion to Kudan: 9th Degree Black Belt in Judo and Ju-Jutsu. Dr. Zimkowski becomes the first Kudan in Judo and the second Kudan in Ju-Jutsu in the ATJA.

11/11/2024

Today we honor all the men and women who serve and have served in the armed forces. Thank you for your service!

07/20/2024

Today as President of the ATJA and representing the Board of Directors, it was my honor and privilege to present posthumously to Mr. Rick Celotto the rank of Kudan: 9th Degree Black Belt, for a lifetime of working toward the betterment of Judo through Refereeing, Teaching, and Training.

Rick's possessed a great deal of knowledge not just in the sport of Judo, but in the art of Judo. To use the Japanese term of Shokunin to describe Rick's life long passion for Judo. He used his knowledge to better the skills and knowledge of countless referees, coaches, and students.

Rick will be missed but his spirit and legacy will never be forgotten!

06/28/2024

Hello to All,

I am passing on the news that Rick Celotto: IJF-A referee, Current Chair of the Referee Commission of USJA and my mentor has passed away.

Many of you have known Rick over the years through refereeing, he was highly knowledgable about all aspects of Judo. He and I would often have discussions about rarely performed Judo techniques such as Hikikomi-Gaeshi (the rear yoko-wakare version), daki-wakare, and no-waki.

He and I worked together since 2003 when I went onto the referee circuit. I have a ton of stories about him and from him, and I will miss him. He was my mentor as a referee, but more than that he was my friend.

GODSPEED SENSEI!!!!

Sincerely
Charlie Schweizer
ATJA President

05/30/2024

To All ATJA Members,

The ATJA and USA Judo have entered into a new agreement to continue to work with one another to promote Judo, effective May 29, 2024.

The agreement allows ATJA and USA Judo members to attend each others sanctioned events such as Tournaments (Excluding USA Judo National Championships), Clinics, Classes, and Camps.

In addition, ATJA Members will be able to have their rank verified/recognized up to the rank of Rokudan. So for those ATJA members who are also USA Judo members their rank (for an additional fee) will be placed on their USA Judo card with the verified symbol (V).

This agreement keeps in place many things from the original agreement. In the coming days a copy of this agreement will be posted on the ATJA web page for all to see.

This agreement would not have been possible without the willingness of USA Judo and ATJA to come together, communicate, negotiate, discuss, and compromise. My special thanks to the ATJA Board of Directors, the USA Judo Board of Directors, Mr. Keith Bryant CEO of USA Judo, and Mr. Joe Ragan President of USA Judo.

It was a long road, but at long last it is done, and now we of the ATJA and USA Judo can get to work on the business of promoting and building the art and sport that we feel so passionate about, JUDO!

Sincerely,
Charlie Schweizer
ATJA President

04/17/2024

2024 ATJA Judo Nationals is an annual national judo tournament that will be held in Wendell, NC (near Raleigh, NC). This tournament is sanctioned by USA Judo and American Traditional Jujutsu Association (ATJA). All ages and skill levels are welcome. USA Judo and ATJA insurance applies, if you are a....

04/06/2024

02/16/2024

Today is my birthday, I just want a wish 🥹🥹🥹

12/11/2023

Arnold Schwarzenegger vs Sylvester Stallone 🔥