Welcome to the Home Page of the MJJA Midwest Jiu-Jitsu Association

History

Dojos

Active Instructors

Pictures

Videos

Activities

Patch

Congratulations to Sensei Kevin Ensinger who passed his Ni-Dan test on February 23, 2018!	Congratulations to Michael Torok for successfully completing his Yo-Dan (4th Degree Black Belt) Test on September 18, 2015
Mark Melocik - Ik Kyu Test (Brown Belt) 4-10-2016	Video of Michael Torok - Double Nunchaku and Self Defense in Millennium Tournament May 5, 2013
Video of the MJJA members giving a demonstration for Chinese New Year at the Asia Town Market on February 9, 2013	Chinese Spear and 8 Foot Staff Demo with John Ruppert, Michael Torok and Hugh Cassidy at the Better in Mentor Days on September 22, 2012
See More Videos of the MJJA in Action on our Videos Page
Normal Class Time - Jiu-Jitsu Class Sunday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Kajukempo Dojo 7667 Mentor Ave., Mentor, Ohio 44060, http://www.mentorkarate.com, (440) 951-0463.  The Dojo is located behind the stores on the North side of Rt. 20 near Great Lakes Mall, accross from Best Buy.

History

The MJJA was founded in 1972 by William Twigger who passed away in November, 2001, and Richard Jackson (retired). The organization started with 20 Black Belts and three Dojos with William Twigger as the first President. The style Amerika Shiki Ju Jutsu (Jiu-Jitsu) was founded in February of 1974. The main Dojo was the Garfield Academy of Self Defense on Warner Road in Garfield Heights, Ohio.

Harvey Torok, Yon Dan (4th Degree Black Belt) was the leading force behind the MJJA since its inception. His son Michael Torok, San Dan (3rd Degree Black Belt), and John Ruppert, Ni Dan (2nd Degree Black Belt currently run the main class.

Dojos

We are located at the Kajukempo Dojo, 7667 Mentor Ave., Mentor, Ohio 44060, http://www.mentorkarate.com, (440) 951-0463.  The Dojo is located behind the stores on the North side of Rt. 20, accross from Best Buy. 

For more information, contact Hugh Cassidy at hugh@cwcreate.com.

Michael Torok, Yon Dan Brian Cosner, San Dan Tim Hanacek, San Dan Pat Tomazic, Ni Dan Bob Repas, Ni Dan Al Gall, Ni Dan Hugh Cassidy, Ni Dan Chris Torok, Ni Dan Kevin Ensinger, Ni Dan Dan McDonald, Ni Dan John Vosicky, Ni Dan Mark Melocik, Ni Dan		Tom Blechschmid, Sho Dan George DeSantis, Jr., Sho Dan Tom DiFranco, Sho Dan Jim DiFranco, Sho Dan Ron Lanci, Sho Dan Beth Riha, Sho Dan Chuck Sabetta, Sho Dan MatthewTorok, Sho Dan Mark Torok, Sho Dan Tom Koons, Go Dan Isshin Ryu Marc Breen, Sho Dan Kevin Roske, Sho Dan
In Memory In memory of the passing of Grand Master John Ruppert on December 4, 2016. Rest in Peace Sensei John, you will be missed. Obituary Grand Master John Ruppert, December 4, 2016 Sensei Tom DeSantis, July, 2011 Sensei Harvey Torok, Yon Dan, June, 2006 Sensei Robert Peto, November 2001 Sensei Joe Fink, Ni Dan Sensei Terry Jarzab, July 1986

Pictures

Congratulations to John Ruppert, Michael Torok, and Hugh Cassidy for being inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame in June 2013. Thanks go out to Ron Balas and Dennis Janes for their sponsorship.

 

Class Picture 4-11-2016

MJJA Class - February 2014

 

Last class picture taken with
Sensei Harvey Torok
on April 23, 2006

 

A picture of the Black Belts from the
Bedford YMCA (Late 1970s), Courtesy of Sensei Tim Hanacek

Dave Stock, Tim Hanacek, Chuck Schmid, Brian Cosner, Ray Loew

 

Below - Class picture taken January 2nd, 2005
Last Class Picture at the Lost Nation Dojo

A Family Tradition

The MJJA was developed by several people in the Cleveland area, but primarily by the efforts of Sensei Harvey Torok.  Now the tradition is being carried on by his family.  The picture below represents the five Toroks currently active, they are from Left to right standing:  Matt Torok (Sho-Dan), Harvey Torok (Yo-Dan), Michael Torok (Yo-Dan), and kneeling: Chris Torok (Ni-Dan), and Mark Torok (Sho-Dan).   
 

Below is a Picture of the class of Sensei Harvey Torok taken in March 2001.

Left to right Back row: Matt Torok, John Ruppert, Harvey Torok, Mike Torok, Ron Lanci
Middle Row: Hugh Cassidy, Bob Repas, Chris Torok, George DeSantis
Front Row: Ardeshir Agahi, Mark Torok, Ted Keeney, Ron Lanci, Jr., David Nyitrai, Shawn Agahi

Click here to see more pictures of our class.

Activities

Belt Tests

Congratulations to Mark Melocik for being promoted to Ni Dan on April 7, 2023.

Congratulations to Senseis Marc Breen and Keven Roske for being promoted to Sho Dan on March 5, 2021.

Congratulations to Senseis John Vosicky and Dan McDonald for being promoted to Ni Dan on March 13, 2020.

MJJA Picnic

The picnic will be held at Chagrin Lagoons Yacht Club on August 1, 2020. 35111 Halsey Dr. Eastlake Oh. 44095.
Contact Tom Koons: 440-463-2074 for information.

Harvey Torok Open Golf Outing

Thanks to Chris Torok for putting on another successful Golf Outing in 2019. Hope to see everyone this year at Pine Ridge Country Club in 2020. The address is 30601 Ridge Rd. Wickliffe, Oh. 44092. $40 per person. All players need to wear a collared shirt and buy beer from the course.

Multi-Dojo Jiu-Jitsu Seminar

In November 2020, the MJJA plans to host a Jiu-Jitsu clinic, similar to the one held in August of 2018. We hope to have several area Dojos join us for in-depth seminars based on the specialties of the attending Dojos. If you represent a dojo and would like to participate, contact Hugh Cassidy at 440-479-5682. Date to follow.

 

Contact Hugh Cassidy for more infomation - hugh@cwcreate.com

The MJJA Patch

The MJJA patch shown at right was designed by Terry Jarzab, a Shodan at our dojo in Garfield Heights.  Terry, who was a Sign Painter by trade, passed away at the age of 42 in 1986.  Terry had a great sense of humor and we are glad that this patch, and the insignia at the top of this page, live on in his honor.  The Dragon and Eagle on the patch represent the integration of the Asian Martial Arts carried on in America.