Senseis

Our Senseis

All the Senseis encourage students to visit other Dojos to increase their knowledge and skills. Visitors are welcome to share the knowledge and skills they have. It is our belief that this practice is beneficial to the level of Judo that is practiced by both students and teachers.

Tony Truskowski

In 1968 at the age of 33, Tony started Judo at Racine Kyu Dojo at the YMCA under the instruction of Ron Hansen. He earned the rank of Shodan in 1980, moved up to Nidan in 1987, and currently has the USJI rank of Sandan, earned in 1994. He has competed at the national level, taking 1^st place in 1987 Masters and 3^rd place in 1988 Masters.

In 1979 when Racine Youth Sports was founded, he approached the committee and volunteered to teach a judo class. RYS Judo Club was founded by Tony in 1981, almost 100 years after the founding of the Kodokan.

During his judo career, Tony has earned 21 trophies, which include 9 First Place, 8 Second Place, and 4 Third Place. He is a certified IJF Referee R2, and currently is the Chairman and Head Coordinator for Scorekeeping and Timing for the Midwest Judo Association. He is also the recipient of the Robert Schneider Memorial Award , in appreciation for loyal support and dedication to the sport of Judo.

Tim Feest

Tim first saw Judo in the 60’s watching his cousin Mark train under the instruction of Ron Hanson. He has been hooked ever since. In 1974 he got the chance to audit Judo out at U.W. Parkside with Mr. Hanson teaching. For the next 6 years Tim trained under several outstanding coaches learning different techniques and philosophies from each. Shortly after taking the State Championship in 1979 Tim’s competition ended with a knee injury playing basketball. After a 10 year break he decided to give back learning RYS had a program with long time friend Tony Truskowski. In 1992 Tim achieved his Black Belt progressing to Nidan (2nd Degree) in 96 and currently holds the rank of Sandan (3rd Degree. Tim is also a National Referee. Certified in 1995. He feels refereeing local events as well as National Championships are a valuable coaching tool.

John Peterson

John started Judo in 1973 at UWParkside under the instruction of Ron Hansen. He was 20 yrs old. He was a well known and respected competitor. He placed in the top three in local, state and regional tournaments. He placed in the YMCA nationals hosted by the Racine YMCA in 1973. All ranks prior to Shodan were earned Batsugan. (This means he had to beat 5 players with higher rank than himself in the same tournament. His division in the state tournament had 16 competitors. The average was around 8.) He was an active competitor until 1980. He earned the USJF rank of Shodan in 1978. He currently holds the USJI rank of Nidan, earned in 1982.

Cindy Peterson

Cindy started judo in 1969 at the YWCA Shushin-Kan Judo Club under the instruction of Ron Hansen. She was 15 years old. When judo was discontinued at the YWCA, she studied at Racine Kyu Dojo at the YMCA and at UWParkside. As a competitor, she earned recognition in both, Kata and Shiai. She placed in the YMCA Nationals in 1973 in Shiai. Prior to the early ‘70s Kata was the only recognized form of competition for women at the national level. The Kata team of Pat Adams as Tori, and Cindy as Uke, competed and placed in Katame-No-Kata, Nage-No-Kata, and Ju-No-Kata at the local and state level. In 1974 and’75 with Barb Hansen as Uke, Cindy as Tori, they placed 1^st in Katame-No-Kata at the Wisconsin State Championships. In 1974 Women’s Shiai was introduced at the AAU-USJF Senior Nationals. Cindy competed in both Kata and Shiai at the State and National 1974 and ’75 Championships. She placed 3^rd at the 1975 USJF-AAU Senior Nationals in Shiai in the Under 110lb. division. There were 33 players in the division. She earned a USJF Shodan in December 1974. At the time, she was the youngest female in the state to do so.