Graduate Student Judoka ends Absence with Promotion!

Left to Right - Sensei Formaro, Jaehyeok, Sensei Suhr

One of the constants in Judo is diversity.  From the numerous variations on each technique, to the variations in strategy and style, to the judoka themselves, practicing judo is an exploration of diversity.  Despite that, it’s often easy to forget that diversity also manifest in each person’s path of progression. 

Jaehyeok’s (Jae for short) journey with judo has been eccentric.  He first came to the Des Moines Judo Academy in early 2024, progressing through “gokyu” or orange belt.  Unfortunately, at that time Jae’s situation led him to returning to school for graduate studies at ISU.   While he was fortunate to be able to practice with the ISU judo club, Jae chose to continue to attend classes at our dojo, and delay promotion until he could do so at his home dojo.  While this choice may have delayed his promotion, it finally came on Monday, June 9th, 2025, when he was promoted to “yonkyu” or green belt.

Jae has been a frequent competitor, representing and claiming medals across the Midwest since his earliest competitions.  He favors a highly mobile style of play and high collar grips, often using foot sweeps to set up uchi-mata, harai-goshi, or o-soto-gari.  Jae prefers to avoid newaza if possible, relying on his throws to seize victory. Outside of judo and his studies, Jae is a fitness enthusiast with an (over-)fondness for neck exercises, a love of parties and a taste for fine alcohol.

Jae is a true example of the adage “all that wander are not lost,” and we’re glad to see that, although his journey has taken him on a more meandering path, he is still progressing and moving forward.  Congratulations!