ITS JUST THAT THING I DO CALLED BARRON SHEPHERD JUDO

At the end of 2020 I was looking to move and retire in Hilo Hawaii. Andrew Kinchen reached out and talked me out of retiring and starting a judo program at Carlson Gracie Winter Haven. I told myself if I started teaching judo again I would help everyone I could. At 60 years old at  a time when one thinks about slowing down and retiring, I work HARD at my craft every day. I teach more judo than I ever have. My body racked with pain every day despite this I keep going. 

My books have been successful and the Winter Haven freestyle judo program has been steadily growing. The scrimmages are becoming more and more popular among legitimate grapplers of all styles, Judo, BJJ, Folk style and Greco roman wrestlers have attended my scrimmages and freestyle judo clinics. 

You just never know who may be watching what you're doing and how you're doing it. Barron Shepherd Judo has been garnering more and more attention because of its progressive, dynamic and ballistic nature. This hasnt happened over night, it has taken years of dedicated training and commitment to what has become over the yeas, my craft and a lifestyle.  

Out of the blue one day, a Hollywood fight choreographer contacted me. It seems a friend of his had told him about my style of Judo. The next thing I knew I was on a video call. This fight choreographer and stunt coordinator works on a certain Tv series that has been on a streaming Network platform for multiple seasons. He has since kept in constant contact. They are interested in me training the show’s star in my style of Judo so he can use it for the show’s main character’s fight style. He and the star of the show want to train extensively with me because they like my ballistic style of Judo. Details about it will come out later. 

Several years ago when I was 51, I sustained permanent life altering injuries from being hit and run over, while on foot, by a semi truck. My body was literally dragged underneath the semi and crushed in the accident. No one could believe I was still alive after that. The many doctors and specialists I saw contributed one thing to my survival...JUDO. The years and years of taking repeated impacts from various judo throws had prepared my body and my mind. It was the only logical and medical explanation. 

I never really fathomed that a life long personal dedication to judo would not only save my life but create such opportunities for me now at this point in my life. It is exciting to think of the possibility that my style of judo might play a major part of the main character’s fighting style in a TV series in a new season of the show. 

JACK STERN'S JUDO FRAUD AND IT'S PERPETUATION CONCLUDED

According to the Kontei Judo Website, Jack Albert Stern served overseas in the Korean war and garnered his martial arts training while stationed there. Below is a quote from the website's lineage page

"Jackie Albert Stern, affectionately known as "Papasan," he started his Martial Arts career in 1947 while in the US Military in Chinhae, Korea, in Korean Yudo under Sensei Tae Ju Chung. After one year, Stern's unit was moved to Northern Luzon in the Philippines where he trained under Berabe Paragas in “Stick Fighting” for 2 years. Then he was transferred again, this time to Okinawa and Japan where he trained under O'Sensei Yamaguchi Gogen in Goju Ryu Karate for 8 months. In Japan, he also trained at the Kodokan under Mifune Kyuzo and earned his black belt in Judo, as well as trained in Kyokushinkai Karate under Grandmaster Mas Oyama at the main Hombu in Tokyo. In 1956, he was discharged from the military and stayed in Japan, living with the Otani Family while continuing his studies in the arts." 

The problem with the above statement is that Stern NEVER served overseas in the military. The following statement pertaining to Stern's military calims can be found here; https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/jackie-stern-man-bought-wore-medal-honor-didnt-earn.html

“When the Broward County Sheriff’s Department began questioning Stern about his military career and his path to the Medal of Honor, Stern fessed up, and his entire story fell apart. Not only did Stern not earn an official medal and its recognition, but the former soldier admitted that he’d never even left the U.S. during a conflict.”  

Stern never served overseas and obviously didn't train at the kodokan or anywhere else that is stated on the website. 

Jack Stern was exposed as a fraud back in 1996, it was indeed quite the story back then. Stern admitted to the Broward County detectives amidst his uncontrollable sobbing that he held no judo/yudo rank. He also stated that he had lied not to hurt anyone but because he didn't want people to think he was a loser. 

The Kontejudo website displays several judo credentials from various organizations that were supposedly Jack Stern's.  A total of seven cards from various judo organizations and a single Armed Forces Judo Association rank certificate that are supposedly Stern's displayed on Konteijudo.com. Several of these cards shown on the website have ID numbers as well as dates.... all of which can help in the verification process with the different judo entities.  However not one of these judo credentials checked out. 

KODOKAN CARD

The first one that caught my attention was Stern’s supposed Kodokan Member card. An email was sent along with a screen cap of the card and the Kodokan responded with that there was no record of a Jack Stern nor could the member card be verified.  No corresponding data could be found by name or birth date or card ID number. 

Also a picture is posted supposedly of Jack Stern sitting next to Kyuzo Mifune at the Kodokan. Despite what is claimed on the Kontei Judo website the kodokan has verified that they have no record of Stern ever training at the Kodokan. The man circled in the picture on the Kontei Judo website which is identical to the one below on the left is actually of judoka Hal Sharpe. Sharpe did indeed live for a time in Japan during the 50s and trained at the Kodokan and also with Mifune along with many other top Judoka at the Kodokan. This has been verified. 

1st picture: In 1954, Hal Sharpe (circled) won the title as “Japan Foreigner Judo Champion”. The tournament was conducted by Kyuzo Mifune (3rd from left), 10th Dan.  Center picture: Chu Kawakami, 9th Dan, and his son Rei Kawakami, 4th Dan, and Hal Sharp (circled), 3rd Dan and Captain of Kawakami’s dojo team. 3rd picture: Shinzo Takagaki and Hal Sharpe (circled).

THE ARMED FORCES JUDO ASSOCIATION MEMBER CARD AND RANK CERTIFICATE

There 2 documents from the Armed forces Judo Association, a member card and a rank Certificate that are supposedly Jack Sterns shown on the site. The USJA was formerly The Armed forces Judo Association (AFJA). The AFJA changed its name in the late 60’s to The United States Judo Association (USJA). 

According to the USJA there was no record of Stern holding any rank or even being a member of The AFJA or The USJA. The only record of Stern is in 2006 when he submitted falsified Korean documents for judo rank. The submission of these fake documents subsequently resulted in Stern being banned for life from the USJA (See email below).

THE JUDO BLACK BELT FEDERATION NEW YORK YUDANSHAKAI AND SHUFU YUDNSHAKAI CARDS

There are three other Judo member cards that are shown on the website that are supposedly Stern’s as well; The Judo Black Belt Federation, New York Yudanshakai and the Shufu Yudnshakai

The United States Judo Federation was formerly the Judo Black Belt Federation (JBBF). The JBBF was organized around regional/local Yudanshakai (black belt associations) two of these regional orgs was the Shufu Yudanshakai and the New York Yudnashakai. The purpose of these regional Yudanshakai was/is to promote judo in their own area.  In the 1960s entry into the JBBF was restricted to only Black belt judoka, regional Yudanshakai recognized black belts. 

The regional Yudanshukai and the USJF formerly the JBBF keep extensive records of its black belts, members and former members since the inception of the JBBF. 

The Hudson Yudanshukai formerly the New York Yudanshukai has no records of a Jack Stern. 

The USJF formerly the JBBF also confirmed that no records of rank or even membership can be found on Stern. See emails below.

KOREAN YUDO ASSOCIATION

The Broward County Sheriff’s dept had verified Sterns Korean Judo/yudo claims and his Korean rank documentation were false in 1996. By 2006, Stern tried to submit falsified Korean judo documentation for rank to the National Goerning bodies for Judo in the U.S. the NGBs banned Stern from ever being able to join. 

I don't think that the NGBs or the Broward county Sheriff's dept are lying. These two sources alone verify Stern held no ranks in Judo or Yudo that were recognized by the Korean Yudo Association. 

There is also a claim that Stern Started the Korean Yudo Association.  This also appears to be false. Jack Stern did not start The Korean Yudo Association (American branch) as stated online. The Korean Yudo association was the American affiliated branch of the Korean Judo Association, which is run by the Korean Judo Association. Bong yul Shin created the American branch of the Korean Yudo Association and since it's inception it has always been run by Korean alumni graduates from the Korean Judo College. 

It seems Stern may have trained with Mr. Shin but only to a very limited extent….. Not long enough to earn any rank from Shin. In the 1960s, Mr. Shin was mainly doing seminars and not teaching regular classes. Taking a seminar doesn't actually qualify as training under someone. 

Because of Bong Yul Shin’s extremely high rank internationally in judo and taekwondo, it is not surprising that some would latch on and claim to be a “former student” or to have "trained under" to try and claim a heritage/lineage. The three things that are verified are;

 1.) Shin started  the Korean Yudo Association – USA, NOT Jack Stern. 

 2.) Stern received no rank from Shin.  

3.) Did not train under Shin and may have only attended a seminar or demonstration. 

An email was also sent to the Korean Judo Association via the International Judo Federation with the picture from the Kontei Judo website of the Korean judo Association member cards that are supposedly Jack Sterns. They also stated they had no records of the card or Jack Stern. 

The above information pertaining the Korean Yudo Association parses with what the Broward County Sheriff's detectives found out during their investigation and what Stern confessed in 1996; that Stern held no rank in Korean yudo/judo nor did he start the American branch of KYA. stern was a fraud and any rank he issued was fraudulent and worthless. It was just a lie Stern told his own students. 

Not one of the eight old judo rank documents and cards that are supposedly Stern's checked out either by name, card number or member number with ANY of the organizational entities that supposedly issued them. Not single one had any records of jack Stern as a black belt or even a member. The only record from the NGBs pertaining to Stern was the lifetime ban he received in 2006 when he submitted falsified documentation in an attempt to get judo rank from the NGBs. 

Final Conclusion

ALL the judo member cards and the Armed Forces Judo rank certificate appear to be fabricated. Stern certainly had a history of fabricating and submitting fake documentation. By 2000 Stern was already in his 70's I don't see him being tech savy enough at that age to use photoshop. It's possible someone else fabricated these documents either for Stern or quite possibly they were fabricated after Jack Stern's death for the sole purpose to build a fake judo/martial arts resume. 

There is no reason to think that anything submitted on Jack Stern judo claims wouldn't be anything but falsified, made up, fabricated....FAKE!  Any rank issued by Stern would therefore be fraudulent and worthless. There is no reason to believe anything issued by Stern or  carried on by others is any thing other than fake. There is no reason to believe anything that is perpetuated by others is anything other than lies. 

Related articles:

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/jackie-stern-man-bought-wore-medal-honor-didnt-earn.html

https://theninjerkiller.blogspot.com/2023/09/kodokan-fraud-in-florida-pt-2-lineage.html

https://theninjerkiller.blogspot.com/2024/01/jack-stern-great-pretender.html

https://theninjerkiller.blogspot.com/2023/12/jack-sterns-lineage-details-are.html

WHAT DO DAN RANKS IN JUDO MEAN?

As in my last article regarding yonkyu (blue belt rank), this isn’t a all inclusive list of what is required at Winter Haven Freestyle Judo it is only meant to give a general idea and a brief over view of the level of proficiency and time it takes to achieve black belt in judo.

The most critical factor is technical performance and effectiveness in randori as it is in all ranks. The standards, needless to say, are high.

SHODAN

First and foremost, earning a black belt in judo is similar to earning a bachelor’s degree from a university. The standards are high and quite frankly second to none.

It normally takes approximately 6 years of hard work, literally thousands of hours on the mat to achieve the rank of Shodan. 

The minimum age required for Shodan is 18 years old. 

Must have met and fulfilled ALL previous rank requirements.

As stated before, one should consider earning the Shodan as the same as earning a bachelor’s degree from a university. In a judo sense, advancing through the black belt ranks is equivalent to further advancing one’s education in a college or university.

IT IS ESSENTIAL AND FUNDAMENTALLY IMPORTANT THAT WHEN DEMONSTRATING ALL TECHNICAL SKILLS IN A FUNCTIONAL, REALISTIC AND DYNAMIC MANNER IN RANDORI. AS AN EXAMPLE, IF BASED ON A SCALE OF 1 (BEING THE LOWEST) TO 10 (BEING THE BEST), THE APPLICANT MUST DEMONSTRATE A SKILL LEVEL OF AT LEAST A “7.” IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE APPLICANT TO DEMONSTRATE THIS LEVEL OF SKILL ON A REGULAR BASIS.

NIDAN

The rank of Nidan is an extension of Shodan and the judoka is expected to continue his progress and refine the skills he has learned for Shodan. Time in grade is important as the judoka matures and continues in his study of judo. This is also a time when the judoka assists a senior coach or starts teaching on his own so that he has a better understanding of as many aspects of judo as possible.

The student is required to attend as many JBBA clinics, seminars, workshops and classes as possible to improve his skill level. The judoka must progress in the quality of his technical skills and understanding of judo. If the judoka’s technical skill was a “7” on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as the best), then he should improve it to as close to “10” as possible to be a Nidan. It takes a minimum of 3 years (3 years being the minimum not the standard) to 6 years to reach Nidan. Must have met and fulfilled ALL previous rank requirements.

SANDAN

The rank of Sandan is considered an advanced rank, and as such, the judoka must possess an excellent skill level as well as participate fully in judo activities, clinics, scrimmages, tournaments and other events. Minimum time in grade from Nidan to Sandan is 5 years and must have met and fulfilled all previous rank requirements.

MUST DEMOSNTRATE AN ADVANCED LEVEL OF TECHNICAL, THEORETICAL AND FUNCTIONAL SKILL IN ALL PHASES OF JUDO. THE APPLICANT MUST BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE ALL TECHNICAL SKILLS IN A FUNCTIIONAL, DYNAMIC MANNER IN RANDORI.

Applicant must demonstrate all the skills required for Shodan with excellent skill (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best, the applicant should demonstrate skill at the “10” level).

YONDAN

The rank of Yondan is considered a senior rank and the person who applies for this level must possess excellent personal skill. Historically, the rank of Yondan has been required to be a recognized teacher, and because of this, a person ranked at Yondan, in addition to being able to demonstrate the required technical skills, must be able to teach others these skills. At this point in a judoka’s career, it is recommended that the applicant for this rank choose an area of expertise, either in coaching, working as a mat official or referee or in some other capacity.  Approximately a 25 year journey from gokyu to Yondan candidate must have met and fulfilled ALL previous rank requirements. 

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

IT IS FUNDAMENTALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE APPLICANT DEMONSTRATE ALL TECHNICAL SKILLS IN A FUNCTIONAL, REALISTIC AND DYNAMIC MANNER IN REALISTIC AND MOVING OR DYNAMIC SITUATIONS. THE RANK OF YONDAN IS A SENIOR TEACHING RANK AND THE APPLICANT MUST HAVE THE PRACTICAL TECHNICAL AND THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE BASED ON EFFECIVE MOVEMENT. MUST HAVE EXCELLENT  TECHNICAL SKILL (ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10 WITH 10 BEING THE BEST, THE APPLICANT SHOULD DEMOSNTRATE SKILL AT THE “10” LEVEL.).

WHAT DOES A YONKYU THE FIRST RANK EARNED IN JUDO MEAN

I get asked a lot of questions about how long it takes to progress through Judo at Winter Haven Freestyle Judo. I am going to start with the general requirements of the first adult rank earned in Freestyle Judo, Yonkyu or Blue Belt . 

The path of Judo isn't an easy road. It is a demanding one. Rank doesn't come in the measurement of months, it comes in the measurement of years. No short cuts are taken, nor is there a fast tracking of rank. Grading standards are high. 

This is a progressive fighting method, a game of inches and precise dynamic movement that is won and accomplished in stages. For the learning judoka, each rank presents a particular range of techniques to be learned at that rank. Generally rank and rank progression helps set learning goals. It also serves as an interim goal to strive towards. 

The adult ranks are as follows:

Fifth kyu (gokkyu) White belt

Fourth kyu (yonkyu) Blue belt

Third kyu (sankyu) Brown belt or Purple belt

Second kyu (nikyu) Brown belt

First kyu (ikkyu) Brown belt

BUILDING THE CORRECT FOUNDATION 

At Winter Haven Freestyle Judo, the rank of Blue belt (yonkyu) is the first promotion that a practitioner will achieve. It is the most important step in achieving long term goals in Judo. At the blue belt level, students gain a wide breadth of technical knowledge and undertake hundreds of hours of mat time to learn how to implement judo techniques efficiently.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR YONKYU BLUE BELT

MUST BE A MINIMUM AGE OF 14 YEARS OLD.

MUST HAVE EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE IN ALL CLASSES, WORKOUTS, AND SCRIMMAGES IS REQUIRED. MUST HAVE ACTIVELY STUDIED AND TRAINED FOR A MINIMUM PERIOD OF TIME OF TWO YEARS. (TWO YEARS IS A MINIMUM - NOT A STANDARD TIME IN GRADE.)

MUST DEMONSTRATE SKILLFUL JUDO IN BOTH STANDING AND GROUNDFIGHTING DURING RANDORI. MUST HAVE EXCELLENT FUNCTIONAL SKILL IN RANDORI AND UNDERSTANDING OF TECHNIQUES.

MUST HAVE A GOOD, FUNCTIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND ABILITY AT GRIP FIGHTING. MUST HAVE EFFECTIVE, FUNCTIONAL AND REALISTIC GRIP FIGHTING SKILLS IN RANDORI.

APPLICANT MUST DEMONSTRATE AND UNDERSTAND CONCEPT OF:

KUZUSHI/BREAKING BALANCE/POSTURE

TSUKURI/FITTING IN 

KAKE/EXECUTE TECHNIQUE

MUST DEMONSTRATE ALL REQUIRED BLUE BELT NAGE WAZA (THROWING TECHNIQUES) IN RANDORI

RENRAKU WAZA/COMBINATION TECHNIQUES -DEMONSTRATE A REALISTIC CONTINUATION OR COMBINATION OF ONE THROWING SKILL TO ANOTHER IN RANDORI.

RENRAKU WAZA/ CONTINUATION OR COMBINATION TRANSITION FROM STANDING TO GROUNDFIGHTING TECHNIQUES IN RANDORI

FUSEGI/DEFENSE AND KAESHI WAZA/COUNTER TECHNIQUES FOR NAGE WAZA (THROWING TECHNIQUES)-DEMONSTRATE REALISTIC DEFENSIVE SKILLS AND COUNTER ATTACKS IN RANDORI.

 

KATAME WAZA (GRAPPLING TECHNIQUES)

THE KATAME WAZA OF KODOKAN JUDO ARE THE GROUNDFIGHTING OR GRAPPLING TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS.

OSAEKOMI WAZA/IMMOBILIZATION (HOLDING OR PINNING) TECHNIQUES

GOALS-HAVE FUNCTIONAL SKILL AND UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO HOLD OPPONENT TO THE MAT IN RANDORI.

NEWAZA SKILLS

GOALS-STUDENT MUST POSSESS EXCELLENT FUNCTIONAL ABILITY AT CONTROLLING OPPONENT’S POSITION TO APPLY PINS OR SUBMISSION TECHNIQUES IN RANDORI. 

DEMONSTRATE EXCELLENT ABILITY AT LEG CONTROL, HIP CONTRAL AND HAND CONTROL AND HOW THESE SKILLS CONTROL AN OPPONENT. EFFECTIVE JUDO (IN THIS CASE, GROUNDFIGHTING) IS A SERIES OF CONTROLLING POSITIONS THAT ULTIMATELY LEADS TO DEFEATING HIM.

IMPORTANT- (WHEN DEMONSTRATING ALL BREAKDOWNS, GUARD PASSES OR GUARD SWEEPS, APPLICANT MUST IMMEDIATELY AND EFFECTIVELY MOVE INTO ANY PIN, CHOKE OR ARMLOCK OF HIS CHOICE.)

DEMONSTRATION OF BREAKDOWNS OR TURNOVERS WHEN OPPONENT IS ON ALL FOURS OR PRONE AND LYING FLAT ON FRONT

ALL REQUIRED NEWAZA SKILLS MUST BE DEMOSTRATED IN RANDORI

KANSETSU WAZA/JOINT OR ARMLOCK TECHNIQUES

GOALS-ABILITY OF APPLICANT TO PERFORM ARMLOCKS IN A FUNCTIONAL WAY IN RANDORI. 

HAVE EXCELLENT SKILLS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLLS AND SET UPS FOR A VARIETY OF ARMLOCKS. APPLICANT MUST BE ABLE TO PERFORM GOOD SKILL AT ARMLOCK DEFENSES. EXCELLENT SKILL AT LEVERS AND PRYING ARM FREE TO APPLY JUJI GATAME. ALL MUST BE DEMONSTRATED IN RANDORI

SHIME WAZA/STRANGLING AND CHOKING TECHNIQUES

GOAL-HAVE FUNCTIONAL SKILL IN STRANGLES AND CHOKES IN RANDORI. 

KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY WHEN USING CHOKES AND ABILITY TO USE POSITION TO SET UP THE STRANGLE OR CHOKE.