Sensei Matt Simmons

Rank: Sandan (3rd Degree Black)

Sensei Matt began studying Judo in September 1991 at the age of 35 with the Offutt Air Force Base Judo Club in Omaha, Nebraska. He was promoted to Shodan (1st degree black belt) in June 1997 before his reassignment to Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. He worked as a volunteer instructor with the US Air Force Academy Cadet Judo Team from 1997 until his retirement from the Air Force in 2001. He was promoted to Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in September of 2006.

He started the Eastside Judo Club in 1998 as a means for sons of single mothers to have Christian men in their lives. Since then the club has evolved into a family club where parents and kids of all ages can practice Judo together.

Sensei Matt is a certified USA Judo Regional Coach and Regional Referee. He was the Assistant Coach for the 1999 and 2000 USAF Academy Cadet Team at the National Championships and was a 1999 National Silver Medalist in the Masters Division. He is currently the Secretary of the Colorado Judo League.

Sensei John Walker

Rank: Sandan (3rd Degree Black)

Sensei John started Judo in 1983 at prestigious Cumberland College University and was promoted to Shodan in 1985. While at Cumberland his Judo team won two National Championships and Sensei John was the National Collegiate Heavy Weight Champion twice and the Open Division Champion his Junior year. He was promoted to Nidan in 1986. After graduation, he was a member of the Wakaishu Judo Team in Louisville, Kentucky until he was invited to train at the Olympic Training Center (OTC) in the spring of 1987. He remained at the OTC until retiring from competition in 1992.

His Judo Accomplishments include:

1984 National Collegiate - Silver Medalist
1985 National Collegiate - Heavy Weight Champion
1985 National Collegiate - Open Division Runner-up
1986 National Collegiate - Heavy Weight Champion
1986 National Collegiate - Open Division Champion
1986 National Ladder Tournament - Bronze Medalist
1987 National Collegiate - Silver Medalist
1987 National Collegiate - Open Division Runner-up
1987 U.S. Invitational - Silver Medalist
1989 U.S. Senior National - Bronze Medalist
1989 U.S. Invitational - Silver Medalist
1990 U.S. Senior National - Bronze Medalist
1990 U.S. Invitational - Bronze Medalist
1990 U.S. Olympic Festival - Bronze Medalist
1991 U.S. Senior National - Open Division Champion
1991 U.S. Olympic Festival - Gold Medalist
1992 Olympic team alternate