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Head Sensei
Sensei Jean-Pierre Lucas GoDAN (5th DAN)
Sensei Lucas is the ranking instructor at the Smithtown Judo Club. He started training in Judo at five years old, in 1963, under the guidance of Sensei John Brisbois. During those early years, Sensei Lucas was part of the Smithtown Tournament Team and
traveled all over the United States competing in the AAU National Championships
and many other events. Sensei Lucas became quite an accomplished junior competitor. As he reached junior high age it was very natural to gravitate towards wrestling because
of the similarities. Sensei Lucas enjoyed a very successful high school career
for Smithtown West
High School, while still training in Judo. After High School he went on to wrestle for the University of
Buffalo where he was Captain of the team, All-Regional, All Conference, Honorable
Mention All-American and received MVP
"Wrestler of the Year". Sensei Lucas's wrestling career wasn’t over after
college due to his constant cross training with Judo; he was actually a better Olympic Freestyle wrestler. Sensei Lucas qualified and made the U.S. National Freestyle Team and wrestled for team U.S.A, competing
and medalling in many international events including the Montreal Open and International Clubs Cup Championships.
Focusing on Judo always, and after having traveled all over the U.S., Canada, Europe
and Japan for both competition and training under great teachers, Sensei Lucas has taken this expertise and added that to
his traditional Judo program to create a hybrid of sorts that over the years has been very successful on the competition circuit
as well as developing a system of self defense that is truly effective in real life.
Because of Sensei Lucas's accomplishments, in 1995 he was inducted into the Smithtown
Sports Hall of Fame. To this day, he is still training and competing and helping
all the students become all they can be from the Little Tiger Program to our mature adult class.
The philosophies of the club go back to the philosophies of Jigoro Kano (founder of
Judo) and the philosophies of a lifetime of training.
“Maximum Efficiency, Minimum Effort”
The strong man is the humble man”
“Train the mind and the body together forever”
“Self confidence is self-defense”
Judo Career Highlights
-
World Masters Champion
- 2x World Masters Silver Medalist
- World Masters Bronze Medalist(Open Division)
- 7x US National Masters Champion
- 5x Am Can International Champion
- 4x Empire State Games Champion
- 3x Liberty Bell Champion
- 3x East Coast Champion
Email Sensei Jean-Pierre Lucas
Sensei
Sensei Joe Prizzi YoDAN(4th DAN)
Sensei Prizzi has been involved with Judo since 1968,
when he started training with Sensei Lucas as kids under the guidance of the Sensei John Brisbois. As assistant director to the club, Sensei Prizzi helps to monitor the other instructors and maintain
our traditional curriculum. He is a very accomplished competitor who has medalled at many top-level tournaments
including the East Coast Champs, Empire State Games, U.S. Nationals and the Liberty Bell Classic. Sensei Prizzi, pound for pound, at only 145 lbs is probably one of the quickest athletes ever to come through
the program. Many students are very impressed with his cat-like reflexes,
speed and his incredible ability to off balance and throw much larger opponents. Sensei
Prizzi is a classic example of technique over power.
Career Highlights
- Bronze Medal US National Championships(Master's Division)
- East Coast Champion
- 3x Empire State Games Medalist
We Remember
Sensei Jeff Iorio SanDAN(3rd DAN )
(1961 - 2007)
Sensei Iorio, also a SanDAN
(3rd DAN) in karate, was with us for more than 10 years. He focused on Judo
because, in his own words, "this is the real deal”, due to its similarities to real life situations. His contributions
to our program will be greatly missed.
- Bronze Medalist World Masters Championships
- 3x Empire State Games Medalist
Sensei
Sensei Jason Brodsky NiDAN(2nd DAN )
Sensei
Brodsky also started under Sensei John Brisbois. An accomplished wrestler both
in High School and at Oneonta State, he is very good with our
younger athletes.
Career Highlights
- Empire State Games Champion
- 5x Empire State Games Medalist
Sensei Mark Staniszewski SanDan(3rd DAN)
Sensei Mark Staniszewski, an accomplished wrestler both
in high school and Cortland State, spends a lot of his time not
only competing in Judo but also on the grappling (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) circuit. He is very helpful for our competitors
wishing to gain that experience.
Career Highlights
- 3x US National Masters Champion
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2x
US National Masters Medalist
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4x Empire
State Games Medalist
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Gold
Medalist New York State Brazilian JiuJitsu Championship
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Gold
Medalist North American Grappling Championships
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Currently "Ranked #1" in the U.S. by the North American Grappling Association (Brazilian
Jiu Jitsu Rules)
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