One of the instructors at a karate school nearby where I live claims to be ranked nidan in Judo under a Sensei Isaku Suzuki. I can't find any records regarding either Isaku Suzuki or the instructor, Robert Ornes, simply by searching Google or the USJI/F/A sites. Is there an efficient way to confirm or discredit this rank?

This probably should be moved to MABS as you are doing an investigation.

In short, ask the guy under which national organization he was awarded his rank.

Alright, thank you. I didn't want to jump the gun and call this a serious MABS investigation until I knew the next step to take, but I will ask soon enough.

The website, for anyone interested, is www.askd.us - American Shodokan Kodokan Dojos.

...In short, ask the guy under which national organization he was awarded his rank.

This would be the first step :)

-Ken

Just glancing through that website raises red flags for me, but I can't find anything much about it either here or on e-budo.

Alright, thank you. I didn't want to jump the gun and call this a serious MABS investigation until I knew the next step to take, but I will ask soon enough.

The website, for anyone interested, is www.askd.us - American Shodokan Kodokan Dojos.

You might inquire as to where/when he studied Judo with Mr. Suzuki, that would help narrow things down.

I didn't see any mention of Judo instruction on the website, did I miss something?

You might inquire as to where/when he studied Judo with Mr. Suzuki, that would help narrow things down.

I didn't see any mention of Judo instruction on the website, did I miss something?
http://www.askd.us/head_instructors_bio

Skip down to Robert Ornes and then to his other ranks held. Its the first one listed.

Other ranks held by Sensei R. Ornes
2nd-degree Black Belt in Judo earned by Sensei Isaku Suzuki

Apparently the rank held by Ornes was earned by Suzuki.

http://www.askd.us/head_instructors_bio

Skip down to Robert Ornes and then to his other ranks held. Its the first one listed.

I saw the claim of rank, but nothing on the website about teaching Judo, just karate.

Ben

The instruction there is, as far as I have been informed, just karate. Basically the Strip-mall Shotokan Special: pressure points, point-sparring and kata.

The instruction there is, as far as I have been informed, just karate. Basically the Strip-mall Shotokan Special: pressure points, point-sparring and kata.

Run away, then, if they are not teaching Judo his rank claim doesn't really matter.

I can update that a little bit: they go over "Judo" on occasion, which has been described thusly: "We get on our knees, grab the other guy's gi here (indicating collar) and try to turn him onto his back."

I can update that a little bit: they go over "Judo" on occasion, which has been described thusly: "We get on our knees, grab the other guy's gi here (indicating collar) and try to turn him onto his back."

Thats not judo ...thats Foreplay

Thats not judo ...thats Foreplay

That's hilarious... :P

I am a nanadan in Google-fu and I find NO other reference to an instructor named Isaku Suzuki.

I can't say there isn't one... but chances are low...