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Chief Instructor
 Jeffrey
A. Cook began his martial arts career in Judo and Aikido in 1979 at the age of
17 in Gainesville, Florida. As a member of the United States Judo Association,
he successfully competed in local and AAU-sanctioned events, including a Bronze
Medal in the AAU United States Junior Olympics.
After moving to Sarasota, Florida in the early
'80's, he continued his judo training, and for a short while in aikido
(approximately four years). He also began receiving intense private instruction
in White Dragon kung fu and Taekwondo.
Always hungry for more techniques and training
methods, he moved on to Wado Ryu Karate and Shinto Yoshin Jujitsu, which were
taught by the same instructor. This period of his training had a tremendous
impact on Jeff. Although elements of all arts he trained in are evident in his
style, this training profoundly influences his current approach to martial
principles.
While being completely immersed in his study of
Wado Ryu and Shinto Yoshin Jujitsu, Jeff also began earnestly training in Shuri
Ryu Karate, and picked up many more valuable lessons. He shortly reached black
belt level in this style, and became certified in the Christian Karate
Association.
Wabujitsu™ International and the hombu dojo
were founded in 1996. Although competition is not emphasized
nor encouraged, the club has produced tournament champions in Kumite, Jujitsu,
and Traditional Kata. The latest competition in which Wabujitsu was represented
was the U.S. Open 2000. All Wabujitsu™ competitors placed in the top three in all
entered events.
Wabujitsu™ International has students across the
US, including a club in Los Angeles, CA. led by J. Nicole McDargh, and a club in
Brandon, FL led by Michael Pancer. In addition to overseeing the instruction
at the clubs, Jeff provides seminars across the country in traditional martial
arts as well as a very popular down-and-dirty combatives program. He is also
heavily involved with Canemasters International, and has been awarded the level
of Canemaster by his friend, mentor and instructor of the cane, Master Mark
Shuey, the founder/president of the organization. Jeff and Master Shuey
collaborated on a project, which resulted in the production of a popular
training video for Canemasters on the use of the mini-cane for law-enforcement
and security use. Additionally, Jeff assists at various local judo dojo
with instruction and tournaments.
Early on in his martial arts career Jeff joined
the military. His exposure to Army training has tremendously enhanced his skills
as a teacher and leader in the martial arts. Among his numerous military
accomplishments, he has achieved US Army instructor certification, is a
certified Master Fitness Trainer, and is a certified Modern Army Combatives
Program instructor. He is also an expert in the use of various military weapons
and weapons systems. Jeff is a senior non-commissioned officer.
In addition to his military job, running his
organization, and conducting national seminars, Jeff ran his own security
consultation service for 15 years. He provided consultation services for very high-risk civilian events
and also executive protection services. This
experience has also tremendously impacted the way he approaches martial arts.
Jeff has survived numerous violent encounters involving the use of deadly force
in this line of work, and applies that experience to his training programs.
CURRENT STATUS: Vice President United States
Martial Arts Federation, Regional Representative (Florida), United States
Ju-Jitsu Federation, International Board of Directors CaneMasters International,
Founder of Wabujitsu™ International, Member of Kokusai Gendai Budo Renmei, Member
of Florida League of Martial Artists, United States Army Modern Army Combatives
Program Instructor, United States Army Master Fitness Trainer.
These are Jeff's current martial arts
ranks: Rokudan (6th degree black belt) Ju-Jitsu/Wabujitsu™, United States
Ju-Jitsu Federation; Yondan (4th degree black belt) Judo, United States Ju-Jitsu
Federation USA-TKJ; Sandan (3rd degree black belt) Judo, United States Judo
Association; Shodan (1st degree black belt) Shuri Ryu Karate, Christian Karate
Association; Master of the cane, CaneMaster's International. Jeff is
also currently training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; he
holds the rank of Brown belt in BJJ under Charles Dos Anjos, Wolfpack Jiu Jitsu.
Jeff is a Certified Examiner and a Certified
Referee for the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation.
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