Instructors (Sensei)
Instructor Bert Becerra
is a seventh degree black belt in judo and a eighth degree black belt in
jujitsu. He started judo in Cuba in 1954 spending years training and competing internationally.
Becerra spent time teaching at the N.J.I. (National Judo Institute) in
Colorado Springs. After several years of teaching at N.J.I., he was
invited to train/teach at the Kodokan in Japan (the official school for
Judo in Japan). Becerra spent 15 years in Japan in his earlier years.
While there he trained in various martial arts. He earned an 8th Dan in
Goju-Ryu Karate from Neko-Do Systems.
Mr. Becerra currently teaches Jujitsu at Richland Junior College in
Dallas, TX., and has his own Judo Club. He's the head instructor of the
Becerra Judo & Jujitsu Club in the Dallas suburb of Garland, TX.
Becerra is a member of the International Black Belt Hall of Fame in
Pittsburgh, PA, and recently received their Pinnacle Award for Success.
Becerra is a certified instructor in sexual harassment, assault and
rape prevention for women by PPCI Management Systems, Inc. & The
Institute for Control & Restraint Research, Inc. He is a certified
professional consultant and speaker on child safety and danger
awareness from the National Security Alliance. He is certified by USA Judo
as a master teacher class A, he's a level A International coach with
USA Judo. With USJA
he holds a master judo rank examiner, a master jujitsu rank examiner
and he's also a master coach. He is a life member of the USJA and
USA Judo
and he is also a life member of Texas Judo. He also frequently holds
seminars and workshops on grappling. He was a coach to the 2006 USA
Judo High School All-American team that went to Japan and selected as
Volunteer Coach of the Year by the United States Olympic Committee.
Becerra is a member of the Texas Promotion Board and is the development
director of Texas Judo. He is also a member of USA Judo National
Promotion Board from 2007 to Present. In 2009 he received the certificate for
the Continental Judo Course in Mexico City. Member of USA Judo Coaches
Education Committee. Team USA Head Coach of the 2009 Jita
Kyoei International Cup in Lima, Peru. Team USA Coach to the 2010
José Ramón Rodríguez and
Judogis Dorados Tournaments in Havana, Cuba.
Instructor Gary Norton is a sixthdegree black belt in judo. He started judo while living in Hawaii in 1958. Norton was formerly the National High School Chairman. He has been an Active manager and Coach for USA JUDO (Europe, Japan, and South America numerous times). Norton is an International A Coach and has produced over 200 National Champions - including Junior National, High School National and Senior National champions. He has had 8 students selected for US Olympic trails and one student selected for the US ParaOlympic team in Athens and Beijing. Team USA Coach of the 2009 Jita Kyoei International Cup in Lima, Peru. Team USA Coach to the 2010 José Ramón Rodríguez and Judogis Dorados Tournaments in Havana, Cuba.
Instructor
Rita Law is a third degree black belt in judo with 15 years of
experience. She has competed in shiai and kata. She has studied kata under Keiko Fukuda
Sensei (9th Dan). She has also studied under Jacques LeGrand Sensei
(9th Dan) and Vince Tamura Sensei (9th Dan). Rita received her Nidan
under Becerra Sensei. She is a member in good standing of the USJA and
USJI. She is in charge of teaching the beginners class at Becerra Judo
and Jujitsu Club. She is certified as a E-level coach through USA Judo.
In April 2006, she took 2nd place in the International Masters Division
(57 kg) at the Senior National Championships in Houston, TX. In July
2006, she attended Joshi Judo Camp in San Jose, CA under the direct
instruction of Fukuda Sensei, Shephard Sensei and Anno Sensei. In March
2007, she placed 1st in Masters Division (lt) at Texas State
Championship in San Antonio, TX. Rita has been a real asset to the club.
Instructor Dr. Bill Hwang has just received his 2nd degree black belt under Sensei Bert Becerra, & has been studying judo since 1983. He graduated from the Tamura Judo Institute when Sensei Vince Tamura retired, and thereafter traveled to seek more knowledge of Judo. After encountering the excellence that the Beccera Judo offers, he became a valued asset to the coaching staff. He has studied under such Sensei's as Sensei’s Franco, Kawasaki, Vince Tamura, Jim Webb, Gary Norton, and Bert Becerra. He is proficient at Judo minimalism, the least effort with great efficiency. He is a member of USA Judo. He devotes much of his time assisting the head coach, Becerra Sensei, at Becerra Judo's Richland College Class, as well as assisting the coach, Norton Sensei , teaching the advanced juniors and seniors at Becerra Judo's main dojo.
My mentor, the man who started me in judo at the age of six. Mr. Jesus Alvarino, a great Cuban actor. But most of all a great human being.
A. Kolychkine: Becerra's first teacher and the Father of Cuban Judo
Sensei Bert Becerra and his teacher, Hon Shihan Isao Okano,
2 time World Champion, 1 time Olympic Champion, and 2 time
All Japan Judo Champion
Photo taken at San Jose State University at the USJI Coaches' C Level Certification
His first Japanese teacher in Cuba; Mazayuki Takahama Sensei, circa 1954
Sensei Bert Becerra and his last coach, John Osako,
a great judo champion, referee and friend
Miami in the 80's with the Cuban Judo Power - Larry Labrador, Heriberto, Garcia, John Osako, Bert Becerra and some students in the dojo
Sensei Bert Becerra and his Cuban National Team coach the legendary Ricardo "El Loco" Valdez
Sensei Bert Becerra with one of the first judo Olympians Ben Campbell, great champion and good friend. Ben recently retired from the Colorado senate.
Sensei Bert Becerra's rise to fame started at age 6 with coaches Fernando Yi and Moc Kan Sent - 2 time Cuban National Champion.
Becerra speaks English, Japanese and Spanish.
When you are ready to learn, please call me.
BERT BECERRA
Sensei
PHONE: (214) 682-4624
E-Mail