Photo & Video Gallery

David J. Ellis at the Patrick Air Force Base Judo Club (1976)

This photograph of David J. Ellis was originally published in the Patrick Air Force Base newspaper in 1976 as part of an effort to encourage other children to join the Patrick Air Force Base Judo Club. The original newspaper photograph was later colorized by David's stepsister.

Taken near the beginning of David's judo training, the photograph preserves an early chapter in the experience and traditions that would eventually help shape instruction at Brevard Judo Academy.

David J. Ellis' Judo Teachers and Lineage

This photograph was taken during the promotion of David's father, John R. Ellis, to 1st Degree Black Belt at the Palm Bay Recreation Center in Palm Bay, Florida. Although the exact date of the promotion is unknown, it occurred during David J. Ellis' early years of judo training.

David's first Sensei was Patty McMahon, shown in the photograph. Standing to her left (the viewer's right) is her instructor, Tai Yosheda. David's second Sensei was Dave Daley, shown second from the left, and his third Sensei was his father, John R. Ellis, standing in the center of the group. Also pictured is Louis Peronard, who attended the promotion ceremony. Like Patty McMahon, his Sensei was Tai Yosheda.

Together, these instructors represent an important part of David J. Ellis' judo lineage. Their instruction and traditions continue to influence the teaching of Kodokan Judo at Brevard Judo Academy today.

David J. Ellis competing in Shiai (Match) at the Cocoa Recreation Center during the 1980s

David J. Ellis competing in Shiai at the Cocoa Recreation Center during the 1980s, sometime between 1983 and 1986. David is the competitor standing upright in the photograph. The photograph documents David J. Ellis during his early years of shiai competition, long before the establishment of Brevard Judo Academy.

April 1984 - 1984 USJI Senior Nationals & Kata Championships - Orlando, Florida

Men's Ju-no-Kata - 3rd Place
Tori: John R. Ellis
Uke: David J. Ellis

The image on the right is an enlarged version of the photograph identified by the red circle in the image on the left. The photograph on the left was published in the Judo Journal among the results of the 1984 USJI Senior Nationals & Kata Championships held in Orlando, Florida. The photograph on the left is courtesy of Jerry Hays.

This image preserves a part of David J. Ellis's competitive kata judo history, documenting his participation in national-level kata competition alongside his father, John R. Ellis, decades before the founding of Brevard Judo Academy.

1985 Sunshine State Games Judo Results

Lakeland Ledger, July 15, 1985. The published results list John Ellis and David Ellis of Palm Bay taking 1st place in the Nage No Kata Expert Division and Kime No Kata Expert Division. They were the only team listed in each of those divisions. Complete results for the 1985 Sunshine State Games Judo competition are available from Florida Judo Inc.

Historic Nage-no-Kata (1980s)

John R. Ellis (Tori) and his son, David J. Ellis (Uke), perform Nage-no-Kata during a competition in Lakeland, Florida, sometime between 1983 and 1988. The event included Masters (30+) shiai as well as kata competition. The tournament director was Jack Woolverton. David competed only in the kata portion of the event, performing Nage-no-Kata with his father. The video documents an early part of David's competitive kata history and his experience practicing and competing in kata with his father. This video was digitized from an original VHS recording that had been viewed many times over the years. The video and audio quality reflect the age and condition of the original tape.

Historic Kime-no-Kata Demonstration (Late 1980s)

This historic video features father John R. Ellis (Tori) and son David J. Ellis (Uke) performing Kime-no-Kata, one of Kodokan Judo's traditional kata, at the Palm Bay Recreation Center in Palm Bay, Florida, during the late 1980s (approximately 1987–1989). Although recorded decades before Brevard Judo Academy was established, it preserves the lineage, instruction, and traditions that continue to shape the dojo today.

David J. Ellis and Ted Zorsky Win Nage-no-Kata Gold at the 1999 Sunshine State Games

Published May 31, 1999, this newspaper article recognizes David J. Ellis and Ted Zorsky for winning the gold medal in Nage-no-Kata (Forms of Throwing) at the Sunshine State Games in Tampa, Florida. At the time, Ellis was 31 years old and served as head instructor at Melbourne Judokai in Indian Harbour Beach. The article notes that Ellis had been involved in Judo since 1975 and had recently been promoted to Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) in Kodokan Judo. The article provides a firsthand historical record of Ellis's competitive, teaching, and judo development more than 25 years before the founding of Brevard Judo Academy.

Betty Stamm and David J. Ellis at the January 27, 2018 workout at Metro Orlando Judo Kai

Betty Stamm and David J. Ellis together at the January 27, 2018 workout at Metro Orlando Judo Kai in Orlando, Florida. Betty Stamm was David's Sensei at the UCF Judo Club from October 1988 through June 1989. This photograph documents their continued connection nearly three decades after Stamm was one of David's judo instructors.

2018 Joint workout - Metro Orlando Judo Kai in Orlando, Florida
June 23, 2018

A joint workout bringing together members of the Central Florida judo community. At the time, David Parritt was the Chief Instructor of Harbor City Judo & Jujitsu, along with instructors David J. Ellis and Manon Saulnier. This photo represents part of the history and connections that preceded the establishment of Brevard Judo Academy.

Single-Leg to Uchi-Mata

A technical demonstration of a counter to a single-leg attack using Uchi-mata, demonstrated by David J. Ellis with Mike Allison as Uke. The video was recorded while Ellis was teaching a judo class at a BJJ club in Florida and is presented as an instructional demonstration rather than a competition performance.

Group shot at Brevard Judo Academy First judo class on the April 2, 2026

Group shot at Brevard Judo Academy during the April 2, 2026 class. April 2, 2026 was the first judo class of Brevard Judo Academy.

Group shot at Brevard Judo Academy during July 2, 2026 class

Students train together during a regular Thursday evening class (July 2, 2026) at Brevard Judo Academy. These sessions emphasize safe ukemi, throwing fundamentals, and cooperative practice.

Group shot of instructors at Brevard Judo Academy during July 2, 2026 class

Taken during the July 2, 2026 class, this photograph shows the instructional team at Brevard Judo Academy. The instructors work together to provide adult students with quality instruction in Kodokan Judo. Having multiple experienced black belt instructors on the mat allows students to receive personalized feedback while practicing throwing techniques, ukemi (breakfalls), ne-waza (groundwork), and kata (forms) in a safe, supportive learning environment.

Student at Brevard Judo Academy doing a back fall

A beginning student practices ukemi (back breakfall), one of the first safety skills taught at Brevard Judo Academy.

Mike Allison teaching a student during July 16, 2026 class

Taken during the July 16, 2026 class at Brevard Judo Academy in Melbourne, Florida, this photograph shows instructor Mike Allison teaching student Kai a Kodokan Judo throwing technique. Students receive individualized instruction from experienced black belt instructors, allowing them to improve balance, timing, kuzushi (off-balancing), and throwing techniques while training in a safe and supportive dojo.

Randori (Free Practice) during the August 4, 2026 class

Taken during the August 4, 2026 class, students participate in randori (free practice) at Brevard Judo Academy. Unlike competition, randori emphasizes learning rather than winning. Partners work together to apply techniques with control, helping one another improve timing, movement, balance, and technical skill while practicing the Kodokan Judo principle of mutual welfare and benefit.

Black Belt Key Chains Presented at the Ceremony

David J. Ellis, Chief Instructor of Brevard Judo Academy, presented these black belt key chains during the July 2, 2026 Black Belt Ceremony and Celebration. The ceremony was held at Team Camilo.

Manon Saulnier - Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt)

Manon Saulnier was promoted to Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) on July 30, 2024. During the July 2, 2026 Black Belt Ceremony and Celebration, David J. Ellis, Chief Instructor of Brevard Judo Academy, presented her with a black belt key chain and a copy of her Nidan rank certificate.

Mike Allison - Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt)

Mike Allison was promoted to Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) on April 29, 2026. During the July 2, 2026 Black Belt Ceremony and Celebration, David J. Ellis, Chief Instructor of Brevard Judo Academy, presented him with a black belt key chain and a copy of his Nidan rank certificate.

Wilfredo Torres Negron - Godan (5th Degree Black Belt)

Wilfredo Torres Negron was promoted to Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) on March 16, 2026. During the July 2, 2026 Black Belt Ceremony and Celebration, David J. Ellis, Chief Instructor of Brevard Judo Academy, presented him with a black belt key chain and a copy of his Godan rank certificate.

David J. Ellis - Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt)

David J. Ellis was promoted to Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) on July 11, 2024. During the July 2, 2026 Black Belt Ceremony and Celebration, Wilfredo Torres Negron and Dr. Andre Merrill presented him with a black belt key chain and a copy of his Rokudan rank certificate.

David J. Ellis presented yellow belts to students during the September 10, 2026 Yellow Belt Ceremony

David J. Ellis, Chief Instructor of Brevard Judo Academy, presented yellow belts to students during the September 10, 2026 Yellow Belt Ceremony. The ceremony was held at Team Camilo.

Kai Rittgers - Rokyu (Yellow Belt)

Kai Rittgers was promoted to Rokyu (Yellow Belt) on August 24, 2026. During the September 10, 2026 Yellow Belt Ceremony, David J. Ellis, Chief Instructor of Brevard Judo Academy, presented him with a yellow belt.

Iverson Izidore - Rokyu (Yellow Belt)

Iverson Izidore was promoted to Rokyu (Yellow Belt) on August 24, 2026. During the September 10, 2026 Yellow Belt Ceremony, David J. Ellis, Chief Instructor of Brevard Judo Academy, presented him with a yellow belt.

Wanderley Camilo - Rokyu (Yellow Belt)

Wanderley Camilo was promoted to Rokyu (Yellow Belt) on August 24, 2026. During the September 10, 2026 Yellow Belt Ceremony, David J. Ellis, Chief Instructor of Brevard Judo Academy, presented him with a yellow belt.

Gabriel Ferreira da conceicao - Rokyu (Yellow Belt)

Gabriel Ferreira da conceicao was promoted to Rokyu (Yellow Belt) on September 2, 2026. During the September 10, 2026 Yellow Belt Ceremony, David J. Ellis, Chief Instructor of Brevard Judo Academy, presented him with a yellow belt.

Nicholas Romeo - Rokyu (Yellow Belt)

Nicholas Romeo was promoted to Rokyu (Yellow Belt) on September 4, 2026. During the September 10, 2026 Yellow Belt Ceremony, David J. Ellis, Chief Instructor of Brevard Judo Academy, presented him with a yellow belt.

David J. Ellis refereeing at the 2022 Sunshine State Games on June 18, 2022

David J. Ellis refereeing on June 18, 2022, at the 2022 Sunshine State Games at AdventHealth Fieldhouse in Winter Haven, Florida. David J. Ellis served as an IJF-B (Continental) Referee at the event. This photograph documents his continued involvement in judo competition as a referee, several years before the founding of Brevard Judo Academy.

David J. Ellis refereeing on April 25, 2026 at the 2026 Southwest Florida State Judo Championship

David J. Ellis refereeing on April 25, 2026 at the 2026 Southwest Florida State Judo Championship. This event was held at Ida Baker High School in Cape Coral, Florida. David J. Ellis serves as an IJF-B (Continental) Referee and regularly officiates regional and national tournaments. Refereeing helps instructors stay current with the latest IJF competition rules, bringing that knowledge back to Brevard Judo Academy students.

Referees for Mat 3 of the 2026 USA Judo Senior Nationals

Referees assigned to Mat 3 pose during the 2026 USA Judo Senior Nationals. The 2026 USA Judo Senior Nationals were held at Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Chief Instructor David J. Ellis served as an IJF-B (Continental) Referee, helping officiate one of USA Judo's premier national championships alongside experienced officials from across the United States.

Referees for Mats 9 & 10 for Day 2 (July 25, 2026) of the 2026 US Open Judo Championships

Referees assigned to Mats 9 and 10 pose during Day 2 of the 2026 US Open Judo Championships. Chief Instructor David J. Ellis worked alongside national and international referees to help ensure the safe and consistent application of IJF contest rules.

Referees for Mats 9 & 10 for Day 3 (July 26, 2026) of the 2026 US Open Judo Championships

Referees assigned to Mats 9 and 10 pose during Day 3 of the 2026 US Open Judo Championships. Officiating at major national and international tournaments helps instructors remain current with IJF competition rules and referee standards. That experience is brought back to Brevard Judo Academy, where students benefit from instruction grounded in current international practices.

David J. Ellis refereeing on Day 3 (July 26, 2026) of the 2026 US Open Judo Championships

David J. Ellis refereeing on Day 3, July 26, 2026, of the 2026 US Open Judo Championships. The 2026 US Open Judo Championships took place at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The US Open Judo Championships are among the premier international judo tournaments held in the United States, attracting competitors, coaches, and officials from around the world. David J. Ellis serves as an IJF-B (Continental) Referee and regularly officiates state, national, and international judo events. His continued involvement in tournament refereeing reflects an ongoing commitment to the technical standards and traditions of Kodokan Judo.

David J. Ellis Refereeing At 2026 USA Veterans Open - Baytown, Texas

David J. Ellis serving as an IJF-B referee at 2026 USA Veterans Open, held on August 29, 2026, at the Baytown Community Center in Baytown, Texas. Baytown is just outside Houston. The Veterans division is for judoka age 30 and older.

Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) Certificate - David J. Ellis

David J. Ellis, Chief Instructor of Brevard Judo Academy, was awarded the rank of Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) by the United States Judo Association on July 11, 2024. The rank reflects more than five decades of experience in Kodokan Judo as a student, instructor, coach, and referee.