JMJC Claim 5 National Titles

RENO, NV — Athletes from the Glenville, NY based Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) enjoyed phenomenal results at the US Senior Nationals, May 15, 2021, winning 11 total medals including 5 gold at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. 

Ari Berliner (22) went 4-0 on the day to win his first National title at 66kg. Melissa Myers (25) also went 4-0 as she captured her maiden National championship winning the 70k division. Nicole Stout (23) was the third JMJC athlete to claim their first National title as she posted a 3-0 record, winning all of her matches by ippon (full point) in the 78kg weight class. 

Iain Berliner (17) was a surprise finalist taking a silver medal in the 60kg category, while JMJC teammate Zach Judy (28) placed third in the same division. This is Berliner’s and Judy’s first medal at nationals. Iain competed later in the 60kg brown belt division and went 3-0 to take gold. 

Yusef Houssni (18) was a double medalist as well, winning a silver in the 73kg division, then dominated in the 73kg U21 category to capture a gold. 

Veteran, Tony Sangimino (31) picked up a silver medal in the 81kg weight class, losing only in the final in an overtime thriller. Sangimino now resides in San Francisco where he trains boxers as well as MMA fighters. 

Kell Berliner (26) was fighting up a weight class and captured the bronze in the 90kg division. 

Victoria Ferrante (23) closed out the JMJC medal count, picking up a bronze in the 63kg brown belt division. 

The JMJC has now produced an impressive 133 medalists and 41 champions at the US Senior Nationals in its 20-year history.