SISTER SCHOOL PROMOTION: PURPLE BELT AND PRODIGEE OBTAIN ORANGE BELTS
We at the Des Moines Judo Academy have been blessed with amazing instructors since our founding by Bret Parkhill in the early 90s. Each instructor’s history and experience brings a unique perspective to our art, offering perspective and insight students might otherwise not benefit from. Sensei Leo Rodriguez, our Thursday evening instructor is not only a renown judoka, but is also a black belt in the art of Brazilian Jiujitsu (BJJ for short) under Gabriel Gonzaga, and heads Grinnell College’s chapter of the Squared BJJ Club. Both schools benefit from a sister school relationship, with members of one being permitted to attend events for the other at no costs, a benefit several members of our dojo have taken advantage of regularly for over a year. Sensei Leo encourages this cross training with a pragmatic “iron sharpens iron” rationale. The benefit of this cross training relationship is that some students from each school have begun to attain ranks in the other art, their interest piqued by their experiences against their opponents on the mat.
Most recently, on March 22nd, 2026, two students of Grinnell Squared BJJ have tested and advanced to the rank of gokyu in Judo; Will Schulte and Bolivar Aponte Rolon.
From Left to Right - WIll Schulte, Spiderman, Sensei Leo, Bolivar, Hot Blue
Note - No one took promotion pictures, so I made do. Lesson - Take promotion pictures.
Will Schulte is a former wrestler and long time student of Sensei Leo in the art of BJJ, as week as a decorated and seasoned competitor in that art, having previously relied primarily on his wrestling experience for takedowns, with some study of nage-waza (throwing techniques) to enhance his wrestling. However, soon after cross-training became a regular thing between the Des Moines Judo Academy and our sister school, Will began to see the benefits of developing his Judo. On March 9th, 2026, Will was awarded his purple belt in BJJ, marking his progress as being halfway to his black belt. In BJJ belts are awarded when an instructor believes you’re adequately accomplished, with no formal testing, and no language or history requirement. While Will finds the Japanese terminology and technique nomenclature challenging he is none the less a marvelous judoka, overcoming those portions of examination to make it to the technique demonstrations, where he shines. Will, like many former wrestlers, has an affinity for O-Goshi, and O-Soto-Gari. However, his recent experiences with those who primarily study judo, along with the influence of Sensei Leo, have seen him greatly improve his foot sweeps, namely Ko-Uchi-Gari and De-Ashi-Barai. Off the mat, Will applies his training in his work as a corrections officer, and spends time with his wife and daughters.
Bolivar Aponte Rolon (“Boli” for short) should be familiar to reader of this blog, having made his competitive debut at the 2025 Iowa State Championship, and sweeping each division with repeated used of his masterful Harai-Goshi, and remarkable athleticism. Boli also is a fan of Ippon Seoi-Nage, and lately has been broadening his mastery of koshi-waza (hip techniques) with Koshi-Guruma. While confident on the ground, Boli, unlike many BJJ practitioners, seems to almost prefer to begin engaging opponents standing. Off the mat, Boli spends most of his limited free time with this wife and daughter.
Congratulations to both of newly promoted members of our sister school, and may our continued association be fruitful.
