EDJ Academy Black Belt Reunion Weekend Recap: Training, Learning, and Celebrating Together

This past weekend was a powerful reminder of what makes our community unique. From high-energy training sessions to seminars, workshops, and well-earned promotions, the mats were full of growth, connection, and dedication. Here is a full recap of an unforgettable weekend at EDJ Academy.

Friday: Competition Class & Grandmaster Joe Moreira Seminar

We opened the weekend with an intense competition class where teammates from Canada, Ecuador, New Mexico, Nicaragua, and our California academies trained together. The room was filled with energy as everyone pushed themselves, sharpened their skills, and set the tone for the days ahead.

Immediately after training, we had the honor of hosting Grandmaster Joe Moreira for an extraordinary seminar. Grandmaster shared technical knowledge, personal insights, and decades of Jiu-Jitsu wisdom. His lifelong dedication to the art continues to inspire our students and instructors, and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn directly from him.

Saturday: Judo Seminar, Belt Promotions, and Black Belt Workshops

Saturday’s Black Belt Reunion began with an excellent Judo seminar for both kids and adults. Coach Cain delivered strong instruction, giving students of all ages valuable tools to add to their martial arts foundation.

From there, we moved into our belt promotion ceremony, recognizing the hard work, consistency, and commitment of our students. These moments are always meaningful, as they highlight real progress—not just in technique, but in discipline, perseverance, and character.

The day continued with multiple workshops led by our black belts. Each session offered high-level technique, detailed instruction, and a chance for students to learn from different perspectives. The variety of teaching styles and specialties made the workshops a major highlight of the reunion.

Celebrating Our Global EDJ Academy Team

We were honored to welcome members of the EDJ family from Ecuador, Nicaragua, New Mexico, and Canada. Their presence made the weekend even more special and reinforced the strength of our growing international community.

Congratulations to All Who Were Promoted

A huge congratulations to everyone who earned a new rank this weekend. Your dedication to showing up, putting in the work, and supporting your teammates does not go unnoticed.

Black Belt Promotion

• Stephen Scanlan – A milestone achievement and a well-earned moment. Congratulations on your Black Belt.

  
  

Brown Belts

• Ben

• Wayne

  
  

Purple Belts

• Gina

• Anthony

  
  

Blue Belts

• Arlene

• David “Coppa”

• Jeffrey

• Elijah

We could not be more proud of your growth and commitment.

A Weekend to Remember

From beginning to end, this weekend showcased the values that guide our academy: hard work, respect, teamwork, and the constant pursuit of improvement. Thank you to every instructor, student, parent, and visiting teammate who helped make the event a success.

We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to continuing this journey with all of you.