Sensei Dave Puerner

Sensei David Puerner

David retired from the US Air Force in 2003 after almost 23 years of service to our country. He spent much of that time traveling around the world as a C-130 Loadmaster. He began studying Judo in 1992 while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He was attracted to Judo because he had been a wrestler since second grade and Judo looked like it would be fun to learn. From that point on he carried his judogi with him everywhere while in the Air Force, even while deployed to Afghanistan. He was always hoping to find a Judo partner that he could work out with.

After leaving the military David began studying and teaching Judo in Anchorage, Alaska. As a green belt his daughter Emily asked him to help her start a dojo in her school; they later moved that dojo to a Boys and Girls Club in an underserved area of the city. His mentor Sensei Dee High supported his vision to bring Judo to as many kids as possible. He has never accepted money for teaching Judo – so that as many kids as possible have access to the sport. He frequently invested his own money to buy judogi’s, national memberships, and pay tournament fees for students who could not afford them. While in Alaska he won the Ron Hildebrand Award which honors a person who contributes above and beyond the call of duty, often at a great personal sacrifice, for Judo development in the State of Alaska.

Dave’s philosophy is that Judo should be fun – it’s something that he asks his kids during every session: “Why do we do Judo?” and the answer he expects is “Because it’s fun!” The louder the response the bigger the smile it brings to his face.

As a disabled veteran, who is now fully retired, David has the remarkable opportunity to teach Judo in Yuma, Arizona a Yuma Territorial Judo during the winter months. The rest of the year he tries to relax and fish (though rarely manages it).

Sensei David a Nidan and is a national level coach with USA Judo, a lifetime member of US Judo Federation, a member of US Judo Association, a member of the AAU, and the Judo Black Belt Association.

Sensei Jeff

Sensei Jeff has been with us for 3 years, he is a Shodon - his bio is coming...