Meet the Brevard Judo Academy Instructors

Meet the experienced instructors at Brevard Judo Academy in Melbourne, Florida. Together, our instructors bring more than 175 years of combined judo experience, providing safe, traditional Kodokan Judo instruction for adults throughout Melbourne, Brevard County, and Florida's Space Coast. Every instructor at Brevard Judo Academy is committed to teaching traditional Kodokan Judo with an emphasis on safety, respect, proper technique, and lifelong learning. Our instructors bring decades of competitive, coaching, refereeing, and teaching experience to every class.

David J. Ellis, Chief Judo Instructor

David J. Ellis

Chief Instructor

Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) earned on July 11, 2024 from USJA

  • More than 51 years of judo experience; began training in Kodokan Judo in June 1975 in Brevard County, Florida
  • Has taught Kodokan Judo in Brevard County, Florida since 1980
  • Current IJF-B (Continental) Referee since April 19, 2018
  • USJA Certified Coach
  • Current background check, SafeSport (Abuse Prevention) training, and Heads Up concussion-awareness training
  • Was a competitor in both Shiai (for 12 years) and Kata (Forms) with several partners
  • Several times Florida State Champion in several different Kata (forms) with several partners
  • Won 3rd Place in Men's Ju-no-Kata (Forms of Gentleness) at the 1984 USJI Senior Nationals and Kata Championship with his father, John R. Ellis
  • USJA Certified Kata Instructor A-level for Nage-no-Kata, Kime-no-Kata, Katame-no-Kata, and Ju-no-Kata
  • USJA Certified Kata Instructor B-level for Kodokan Gohin-Jitsu and Itsutsu-no-Kata
Black Belt Promotion History
Promotion dates are based on official certificates and organizational records.
Rank Promotion Date Organization
Shodan (1st Degree) April 11, 1989 USA Judo (Certificate #895010518)
Nidan (2nd Degree) February 14, 1995 USA Judo (Certificate #955021370)
Sandan (3rd Degree) November 15, 1998 USA Judo (Certificate #985031871)
Yondan (4th Degree) June 29, 2005 USJA
Godan (5th Degree) April 7, 2017 USJA
Rokudan (6th Degree) July 11, 2024 USJA
Judo Training History
From To Dojo Chief Instructor(s)
April 2026 Present Brevard Judo Academy David J. Ellis
August 2005 March 2026 (same club with name changes) Space Coast Judo & Jujitsu/Harbor City Judo & Jujitsu/Samurai Judo & Jujitsu Frederick Fries, David Parritt
July 1994 August 2005 Melbourne Judokai David J. Ellis
September 1988 June 1994 Melbourne Judokai John R. Ellis
October 1988 June 1989 UCF Judo Club (David was attending both UCF Judo and Melbourne Judokai at the same time, this accounts for the dates overlapping) Betty Stamm
September 1980 August 1988 Palm Bay Judo Team John R. Ellis
June 1975 August 1980 Patrick Air Force Base Judo/Space Coast Judo Club (club changed names after moving off Patrick AFB) Patty McMahon, Dave Daley (Patty handed the club over to Dave when she left for college)
Wilfredo Torres Negron, Assistant Judo Instructor

Wilfredo Torres Negron

Assistant Judo Instructor

Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) earned on March 16, 2026 from USJA

  • More than 53 years of judo experience
  • Current background check, SafeSport (Abuse Prevention) training, and Heads Up concussion-awareness training
  • Has been a Shiai Competitor
Partial Black Belt Promotion History
Promotion dates are based on available official certificates and organizational records.
Rank Promotion Date Organization
Shodan (1st Degree) 1992 Federazione Italiana Judo Lotta Karate Arti Marziali
Yondan (4th Degree) January 9, 2012 USJA
Godan (5th Degree) March 16, 2026 USJA
Manon Saulnier, Assistant Judo Instructor

Manon Saulnier

Assistant Judo Instructor

Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) earned on July 30, 2024 from USJA

  • More than 36 years of judo experience
  • More than 30 years of teaching experience
  • Current background check, SafeSport (Abuse Prevention) training, and Heads Up concussion-awareness training
  • Has been a Shiai Competitor both in Canada and US
Black Belt Promotion History
Promotion dates are based on official certificates and organizational records.
Rank Promotion Date Organization
Shodan (1st Degree) August 8, 2019 USJA
Nidan (2nd Degree) July 30, 2024 USJA
Mike Allison, Assistant Judo Instructor

Mike Allison

Assistant Judo Instructor

Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) earned on April 29, 2026 from USJA

  • More than 35 years of judo experience
  • Current background check, SafeSport (Abuse Prevention) training, and Heads Up concussion-awareness training
  • Has been a Shiai Competitor
Black Belt Promotion History
Promotion dates are based on official certificates and organizational records.
Rank Promotion Date Organization
Shodan (1st Degree) January 27, 2008 USJA
Nidan (2nd Degree) April 29, 2026 USJA
Jose Merino, Assistant Judo Instructor

Jose Merino

Assistant Judo Instructor

Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) earned on May 8, 2026 from USJA

  • Current background check, SafeSport (Abuse Prevention) training, and Heads Up concussion-awareness training
Black Belt Promotion History
Promotion dates are based on official certificates and organizational records.
Rank Promotion Date Organization
Shodan (1st Degree) August 20, 2019 USJA
Nidan (2nd Degree) May 8, 2026 USJA

Interested in training with our instructors? Visit our Adult Judo Classes, FAQ, or Contact Us pages.

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