Sensei John Paccione started his training in 1979 at the age of 14 under Sensei Lenard Deluca. Lenard Deluca owned and operated Staten Island Judo-Jo “which stood for Judo DOJO” on North Railroad Avenue in Staten Island, New York.

During that time period Sensei Deluca rented space to Jujitsu instructors and Goju Karate instructors. Sensei Deluca encouraged his students to train with them as well as Judo. Sensei John Paccione took full advantage and tested his skills in each class. Sensei Deluca himself taught Goshin Jitsu and Judo. Sensei Paccione trained intensely in both arts.

On off days the members of Staten Island Judo would go to other DOJOs such as Richmond County Judo and trained with Sensei John Bassano. Although Sensei Bassano was not his instructor Sensei John Paccione benefited from the training and took in all he could.

As time went on Sensei Deluca retired from teaching and left the DOJO to his two students that remained loyal. Both Sensei John Paccione and Sensei Darren Buneo took the DOJO over and began to pass on what they knew to others.

Sensei Darren Buneo left Staten Island Judo after having a personal situation that he had to attend to and Sensei John Paccione became the sole, owner. Sensei John then began to further sharpen his skills and began training at Cranford Judo and Karate Center in New Jersey on Thursday nights. Competition came from all over the area to train and Randori which is fighting in Judo. At the same time Sensei John started training in Aki Jitsu in Brooklyn. This training took place in an under privileged neighborhood where Sensei John was targeted for his employment as a Police Officer. This only led to better training and testing of his skills.

In 1998 Sensei John Paccione was introduced at a tournament to Sensei Yiochiro Matsumura 8th Dan. Sensei Matsumura trained the Empire State Judo team, the New York Athletic Club Judo Team as well as many Olympians. Sensei Matsumura came to Staten Island Judo approximately once a month to give competitive instruction to its Judoka. Sensei Matsumura to this day comes to Sensei John’s DOJO which is now Kodokan Judo of Cape Coral.

In 2006 Sensei Jim Bregman “the President of the USJA and 1964 Olympic Bronze Medalist” came to Staten Island Judo to grade Sensei John for fifth Degree Black Belt. Shortly after the grading the USJA promotions board ratified the grade at the USJA Jr. Nationals in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Sensei John was officially promoted.

In 2011 Sensei John Paccione, at the age of 46, entered the USJF East Coast Championship and became a bronze medalist making him the 3rd place East Coast Champion in his division.

Sensei John was also awarded the United States Judo Association Coach of the Year for 2011.

Sensei John Paccione has trained many State, National and International Champions in both the senior and junior divisions.

Sensei John is the former President of the United States Judo Association (USJA). Sensei John is a Coach instructor that certifies others to have the ability to coach at competition.

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