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The United States Judo Association promoted Karl Geis to Judan (10th degree black belt) at a presentation in Houston dojo on March 12th, 2014. Geis is one of the founding fathers of the USJA and has trained hundreds of judo leaders throughout United States including several Olympians in his over 60 years in judo.
Here is a letter from tonight's ceremony that was read by USJA President, Gary Goltz.
"Without reservation, I fully support promoting the judo legend Karl Geis to Judan. Karl and I studied judo together in Japan during the early 1950s. In those days he was truly a tiger on the mat and he had a chance to practice and study with Japan's top instructors and legends like Osawa, Daigo, Kotani, Otaki, Kobayashi, Mifune and Tomiki. When Karl returned to the USA he became a professional full-time instructor. We have always been in touch with each other and each time we would sign off with" I love you Karl" or he would say" I love you Hal". Most important I regard Karl as my brother. It is ironic, that I started out as Karl's teacher and later he became my teacher. In my opinion Karl not only had a brilliant mind but he was also a genius when it came to understanding the aspects of judo and aikido. Karl is truly a teacher's teacher.
Hal Sharp"
Here is another letter:
"Anything lower than Eleventh Degree would be an insult to Karl Geis. How many men or women are not only champions on the mat, but are champions off the mat. Karl walks on water in my book.
Keep smiling Gene LeBell"
Here is a letter from tonight's ceremony that was read by USJA President, Gary Goltz.
"Without reservation, I fully support promoting the judo legend Karl Geis to Judan. Karl and I studied judo together in Japan during the early 1950s. In those days he was truly a tiger on the mat and he had a chance to practice and study with Japan's top instructors and legends like Osawa, Daigo, Kotani, Otaki, Kobayashi, Mifune and Tomiki. When Karl returned to the USA he became a professional full-time instructor. We have always been in touch with each other and each time we would sign off with" I love you Karl" or he would say" I love you Hal". Most important I regard Karl as my brother. It is ironic, that I started out as Karl's teacher and later he became my teacher. In my opinion Karl not only had a brilliant mind but he was also a genius when it came to understanding the aspects of judo and aikido. Karl is truly a teacher's teacher.
Hal Sharp"
Here is another letter:
"Anything lower than Eleventh Degree would be an insult to Karl Geis. How many men or women are not only champions on the mat, but are champions off the mat. Karl walks on water in my book.
Keep smiling Gene LeBell"
