Meet Our Instructors

Sensei John Paccione

Head Instructor

7th Degree Black Belt

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.

Certifications:

  • Certified 7th degree black belt in Judo

  • Certified 6th degree black belt in Jujitsu

  • Certified National Rank examiner Judo and Jujitsu

  • Certified Technical Official

  • Certified Regional Referee

  • Certified Nage No Kata Instructor

  • Certified Katame No Kata Instructor

  • Certified National Level Coach

Sensei Jennifer Paccione

3rd Degree Black Belt in Judo

Cardio Kickboxing Instructor

Sensei Jennifer Paccione began her martial arts career in 1996 training in Karate at Tiger Schulmann's under Sensei John Delaney where she achieved a red belt which is equivalent to nikyu brown belt in Judo. Sensei Jennifer met Sensei John Paccione in 1998 and was invited to train at Staten Island Judo.

After working out in several Judo and Jujitsu classes she realized that Judo was more practical as a form of self defense and began serious training by attending weekly classes, inter-dojo training at Cranford Judo, tournaments and clinics given by Sensei Yoichiro Matsumura and other highly competitive Judoka throughout the year.

After having two children, she remained dedicated and continued to teach Cardio Kickboxing for women who did not want to endure the heavy training workouts in Judo or Jujitsu. In 2006 Sensei Jennifer was graded and promoted to Shodan and then was promoted in 2010 to Nidan. She continues to train and coach children in Judo, women in Cardio Kickboxing and proudly gives her support to her children and husband in the ventures of their family business.

Certifications:

  • Certified Third Degree Black belt in Judo

  • Certified Regional Coach

  • Certified Technical

  • Certified Nage No Kata Instructor

What Our Students & Parents Have to Say...

I've been practicing various martial arts for over 20 years - everything from Tae Kwon Do to Aikido, to Jujutsu, and now Judo. Not only is Judo, by far, the most complete, effective martial art of everything I've been exposed to, but this dojo is the absolute best that I've experienced. That's why I train here and why I bring my kids here to train as well.

Todd Getts

Judo Student & Parent

This was my first exposure to any martial arts & while it was very competitive, they were still very welcoming to a beginning adult. It has a great family atmosphere and the coaches and families are very welcoming. Great people & great experience!

Leah Benedict

Judo Student & Parent

I came here to acquire the shape of my body I had half a year ago. I was quite surprised with a range of services they offered me.Moreover, you can benefit from their group training.

Julia Smith

Manager at iStep Co.

I came here to acquire the shape of my body I had half a year ago. I was quite surprised with a range of services they offered me.Moreover, you can benefit from their group training.

Julia Smith

Manager at iStep Co.

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