Tulsa Judo and Jiu Jitsu

08/04/2026

Tulsa Judo is not moving. Thomas Williams is moving his BJJ academy out of the current location shared with Tulsa Judo over the past four years. We at Tulsa Judo certainly wish Thomas and his players all the best at their new location. When Thomas announces the site of his new location, it will be shared here.

08/04/2026

Tulsa Judo proudly promoted Quinn Brasseux to shodan this past weekend. Over the last 30 years (at least), Quinn is the first person who started as a junior at Tulsa Judo to promote all the way to black belt. Quinn is most deserving of this rank. Quinn competes at every state tournament and most regional tournaments in adjoining states, often refereeing before and after his matches. As a young referee, he has caught the attention of USA Judo’s Olympic referees (IJF-A) for promotion to national referee, an attainment very few competitors achieve. Quinn has competed in numerous national championships, even winning the High School Nationals last year. Moreover, Quinn assists coaching the juniors’ practice, which involves much energy and time. As his coach (Sensei Chris), it has been a pleasure to watch Quinn mature into an exceptional young man. Judo is about far more than sport or winning matches, and Quinn exemplifies the higher purpose of judo.

05/30/2026

Sensei Gary Frame (Godan) recently passed away. Gary was a coach at Tulsa Judo for more than 30 years, and he both coached me (Sensei Chris) and my daughter. Gary was happy to donate his time and money to help make Tulsa Judo a successful dojo. Most importantly, Gary was simply the nicest person in the world. Kind, gentle, and positive would be the best way to describe Gary. On the mat, he was always willing to randori with the younger, bigger, and stronger but novice judoka, that is, those nobody else was willing to work with. Outside judo, Gary was a proud Marine Corp combat veteran. Moreover, you knew Gary’s truck because it was the one loaded down with what must have been a 1000 pounds of tools from his trade as a locksmith for American Airlines. Those of us who knew Gary were sad when he had to retire from judo. And though he was no longer on the mat, he continued to donate to Tulsa Judo during the tough years of the pandemic when funds were short. Personally, I will be forever grateful for this generosity. I will also cherish the memories of years of randori with Gary at the club. For those of us who shared a mat with Gary, his death is deeply felt. Rest in peace, my friend.

05/11/2026

Congratulations to head coach Chris Vanlandingham for taking 2nd place at Senior Nationals. He endured several hard fought matches in a crowded division.

05/11/2026

Bert was a good friend to Tulsa judo.

It is with profound sadness that the Becerra Judo Club shares the news of the passing of our beloved Sensei Bert Becerra.

Sensei Bert was far more than a coach — he was a mentor, a guide, and a cherished friend to countless athletes, families, and members of this community. His dedication to the sport of judo and, more importantly, to the people who practice it, left an indelible mark on generations of students who were fortunate enough to learn from him.

His passion, wisdom, and unwavering commitment were the foundation upon which this club was built. The lessons he instilled — in discipline, respect, and perseverance — will live on in every athlete he ever touched.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask that our community keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Sensei Bert's spirit will forever be present on every mat, in every bow, and in the heart of every judoka he inspired. He will be deeply and forever missed.

🙏 Rest in peace, Sensei.

04/28/2026

More than two years after the Paris 2024 Olympics, Riner is set to compete at the 2026 Lausanne Grand Slam. Find out everything you need to know about the seven-time Olympic medallist's comeback.

04/06/2026

From building strength and resilience to making lifelong friends, learn how stepping onto the tatami can transform your body, boost your confidence, and teach values that last a lifetime.

04/06/2026

This International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (6 April), Olympics.com takes a look at how judo has the power to transform the lives of its practitioners, and perhaps the world.

03/19/2026

Steve was Michael Ballestero's first judo coach and beloved friend. Michael stayed in contact with Steve over the years since he left Arizona, and through Michael, Steve was a friend to Sensei Chris, too. Chris and Steve would always find each other at national tournaments to discuss the sport we love, sometimes over dinner. Steve was a wonderful human being, and his loss will be deeply felt in Tuscan and Arizona.

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Arizona Judo legend, Sensei Steve Owen, AZ State Association and Judo TucsonDojo Judo President.
Sensei Steve dedicated his life to the art of Judo and to the countless students he mentored over the years. His passion for the sport, his deep knowledge, and his commitment to teaching helped shape generations of judoka throughout Arizona and beyond. Many of us stepped on the mat because of him, and many more stayed because of the values he lived and taught every day—respect, discipline, perseverance, and humility.
Sensei Steve’s impact on the Judo community cannot be measured. He was not only a great instructor, but also a mentor, a leader, and a friend to many. His legacy will continue through the students, coaches, and clubs that he inspired.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones, especially Cherri, during this very difficult time. We ask the Judo community to keep them in your hearts and give the family the time and space they need.

Rest in peace, Sensei. Your spirit will always live on in the dojo and in the hearts of your students. 🥋🙏