Sensei Rachel Matheney

Sensei Rachel E. Matheney
1st Dan (1st degree black belt) – Jukido Jujitsu
Branch Chief; Jukido Academy of Ormond Beach, FL

Rachel Matheney began her Kokondo training the art of Jukido Jujitsu on October 31, 2001. Ms. Matheney has been training regularly at the FJJA under Sensei George Rego since that time. In addition to regular attendance, Ms. Matheney has undergone private instruction with Sensei Rego. Ms. Matheney is also now a regular Florida attendee of the IKA’s International Seminar and the Florida Seminars with Shihan Arel. In her Kokondo training she has also had private instruction by Master Howard (7th dan).

As a senior kyu (below black belt) and now as a dan (black belt) Ms. Matheney has served as an assistant instructor in the youth Jukido classes at the FJJA main/Palm Coast dojo, including the FJJA’s Seminar instructed by Shihan Arel. In addition to this Ms. Matheney has been an asset to Jukido demonstrates conducted by the FJJA, especially in sessions relating to women’s self-defense.

In late 2004 Ms. Matheney was one of four brown belts to go through extensive training and testing for promotion to shodan (1st degree black belt). Along with three others Ms. Matheney was part of the 1st black belt testing in the history of Kokondo in Florida. The extensive testing consisted of six evaluations; 5 of which were conducted by her own Sensei and, and the final by Shihan Arel. She was promoted to probationary shodan (black belt) in the art of Jukido as a result of these tests in January of 2005. During the 2005 FJJA Seminar (December 11, 2005) Ms. Matheney was awarded permanent shodan rank.

Ms. Matheney is well known in the dojo for her powerful nage-waza, never say die attitude, and strong passion for the unity and family that is Kokondo. Like her mentor and sensei she also has a love of Jukido randori and enjoys it thoroughly. Ms. Matheney continues to be a student and instructor at the FJJA – she also attends private black belt training.

On December 10, 2006 she was elevated to the status of Sensei when she was awarded her instructors certification by Sensei Rego & Shihan Paul Arel – making her the 1st individual to start training in Florida from white belt to black belt, and become a Jukido Sensei. Now, as an internationally certified IKA Instructor, she is working closely with IKA Florida Kokondo Supervisor (and her own Sensei), Mr. George Rego on the new Ormond Beach Jukido dojo, located inside of the YMCA in Ormond Beach.