Eager Giant Earns Promotion
From Left to Right - Karsten Lappe, Sensei Suhr
Karsten Lappe stands out not only in our dojo, but everywhere he goes due to his extreme height and boisterous personality. For those were present when he first came to our dojo, Karsten has long stood out for his drive and intensity; while many new students gas themselves out in their first training sessions, Karsten worked so hard he upset his stomach. While he has tempered his eagerness, his drive has never diminished. This fire has kept him on the practice mat, and carried him all the way to the gold in his first competition earlier this year, which he attended as a yellow belt.
On or about June 23rd, 2025, Karsten tested for, and earned, the rank of “Gokyu,” and the right to wear an orange belt. This promotion comes after approximately six months of study from his rank test.
When he first got on the mat at our dojo, Karsten called heavily on his past wrestling experience and preferred familiar attacks like O-Uchi-Gari. However, like many judoka, he soon became enamored with Uchi-Mata, which he has been working on since he was a white belt. Lately, he’s also been seen to demonstrate both familiarity and a refined level of control with O-Soto-Gari.
Congratulations to this dojo member. We look forward to seeing him develop further in the future.
Jujitsu Promotion
Logan Ballanger was promoted this past Sunday, November 10th, 2024, at an open mat, receiving his first stripe on his white belt. Logan currently holds the rank of “gokyu” or orange belt in Judo and frequently represents the Des Moines Judo & Sambo Academy at competitions through out the midwest. Logan’s recent use of ground fighting techniques at the 2024 Iowa State Championship the day before his promotion, no doubt contributed to the decision to award his first stripe.
Jujitsu, unlike judo, does not , typically issue a new belt with each rank, instead adding stripes to a black area on the practitioner’s belt until they accumulate their 4th stripe, after which their next promotion results in them being awarded a stripeless belt of a new color.
Dojo Represented at 2024 Paul Owens Memorial Tournament
The Des Moines Judo & Sambo Academy was present at the Paul Owens Memorial Tournament, held Saturday, October 12th, 2024. A sole Judoka from our dojo, Jacob van Cleaf, made the trip to the Lincoln Martial Arts center to attend this annual event. In addition to the hosting school, several other dojos were present in force, including Uprise Judo Club from York, Nebraska, and Sempai Judo Academy from the Omaha area, both of which were welcoming and willing to adopt the rogue attendant from our Academy for the day. Numerous competitors of all sizes were present, offering the super heavy weight competitor not only several matches with new opponents, but the rare opportunity to compete in the masters age bracket, had he chosen to do so.
Jacob, an orange belt or “gokyu,” competed in the novice and open divisions for his weight, earning a bronze and silver medal respectively.