George Rego Sensei (6th dan) is a Portuguese-American lifelong martial artist. Today he is widely recognized as one of the most prominent minds, masters, and practitioners in the art of Jukido Jujitsu. He is the author of the published book, The Founding of Jujutsu & Judo in America. As a direct private student of the founder of the the art, his mission as a martial artist is to personally personify and pass forward the highest possible expression of the art.
Shortly after beginning his training under Shihan Paul Arel (founder) at the International Kokondo Association’s honbu dojo (world headquarters) as an eight year old child it was apparent to many high-level sensei that Rego was a prodigy with an striking combination of talent, an obsession with technical perfection, and a passionate curiosity for continuous improvement. In an exceedingly rare break from his own conservative tradition in awarding teaching authority, Shihan Arel granted IKA Instructor Certification to Rego when he was teenage shodan (1st degree black belt). This achievement made Rego the youngest person to ever be awarded a full teaching license in the Kokondo martial arts. For a considerable number of years he remained the youngest Jukido Jujitsu sensei in the world.
Sensei wasn’t only entrusted with heading a dojo but given the responsibility of expanding the reach of the art when he moved to Palm Coast, Florida. The Southeastern United States was once uncharted territory for the style and association. Despite his young age, the founder maintained complete and total confidence in his young black belt. At the 1999 annual IKA New England awards banquet he staunchly declared, “George is going to head up Florida and do amazing things! I know he will! I know he will!” Within a few short years, Rego Sensei had the most well attended IKA dojo worldwide. In 2004 he expanded the dojo to a full-time storefront location. In 2005 he was awarded the IKA’s Martial Artist of the Year (renamed the “Master Robert Longo Award of Excellence) for greatly expanding the scope and standard of the art. His leadership style, technical mastery, contagious passion, and the deep care for those he teaches created a world-class dojo that is widely acknowledged and deeply admired within Flagler County community and beyond.
Like his sensei before him, Master Rego strongly advocates that martial arts provide a strong form of physical education but ultimately that this education should be most prominently focused on realistic, practical, and effective self-defense. His dojo, like all in the IKA, strongly and unapologetically emphasize that jujitsu be taught for it’s original purpose — to empower the smaller and weaker to defend themselves against the bigger and stronger in real-life combative encounters. With this in mind, Rego Sensei embraces fully the ideology of “combative completeness” so that his students and students of the art more broadly have a comprehensive set of skills to handle any reality in self-defense.
In teaching a comprehensive approach to self-defense, Rego Sensei does believe that randori (jujitsu & judo style sparring) and other competitive freestyle training methods do have an important role in a self-defense based art. Competitive training methods, as commonly practiced in many martial arts, can often be detrimental to self-defense oriented martial artists. However, Master Rego does believe that with strategic placement in the training regimen, appropriate training emphasis, and skill acquisition as the central focus (not scoring points, etc.) – this training methodology can be and should be critical to a self-defense oriented martial artist.
In teaching a comprehensive approach to self-defense, Rego Sensei does believe that randori (jujitsu & judo style sparring) and other competitive freestyle training methods do have an important role in a self-defense based art. Competitive training methods, as commonly practiced in many martial arts, can often be detrimental to self-defense oriented martial artists. However, Master Rego does believe that with strategic placement in the training regimen, appropriate training emphasis, and skill acquisition as the central focus (not scoring points, etc.) – this training methodology can be and should be critical to a self-defense oriented martial artist.
In studying this aspect of martial arts, for the purposes of both personal challenge and continuing education, — Rego became a multi-time champion in shiai (competition) and is recognized as a expert in the role of randori in Jukido Jujitsu. He is 7-time gold medalist in IKA shiai. Five of these gold medals being consecutive in the senior black belt division. He is only one of two lightweights in history to win the IKA Jukido Jujitsu Grand Championship (competition of black belt divisional champions, open weight). In 2010 at the IKA National Seminar in Seattle, Washington, Rego competed for the first time in several years in the 1st National Jukido Jujitsu Championship. He won the National Championship in the senior black belt division and secured his 7th and final gold medal in Jukido Jujitsu competition. In 2015, while in Louisiana, without any fanfare and very much on a whim, Rego Sensei decided to take part in the AAU National Freestyle Judo Championship. Although it was his first and only time competing in the freestyle judo format against experienced judo fighters and other grappling based martial artists (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, Wrestling, and other jujitsu systems) he won and became the AAU National Freestyle Judo Champion in the Master’s Lightweight division. In this national championship he was undefeated and didn’t concede a single point in his fights. He utilized this experience to deepened his personal experience in this aspect of martial arts and to better understand the pros and cons of the strategy/tactics utilized by full-time sport-based grapplers.
Sensei was the last person promoted to the rank of yondan (4th degree black belt) directly by the founder in 2008. In July of 2015 he was tested by the IKA’s board of masters and Kaicho Howard for the rank of godan (5th degree black belt) — an exceedingly rare event. After an exhaustive and comprehensive physical examination that in the words of one black belt, “was inspiring!” and in the words of another, “the most impressive display of martial arts I’ve ever seen!”— Rego was awarded the rank of godan and the title of “Master.” In the majority of Japanese martial arts “mastery” is officially recognized at 5th degree black belt. With this achievement Rego became one of only seven living sensei recognized as a master in the art of Jukido Jujitsu. Despite the title, Rego is the first to state, “There is always more learning to be had and higher levels of mastery to strive for. Without this, titles and ranks mean nothing. One might be a master in mind and in body but must always have a white belt somewhere in the heart!”
Master George Rego with Master Robert Robert
“He is not afraid to see what he sees or challenge normalcy. He continues to see the truth, speak the truth and act on the truth. He refuses to offer false choices and doubts in the will to lead. He speaks with clarity and strategizes opportunities from near and far. He prepares and challenges the status quo while facilitating kuzushi with power, speed and control. When he aims for perfection he realizes that moving targets are around him. Kokondo is a weaker art when he is not leading. He is a Master technician, He is now Master George Rego.”
~ Words by Master R. Robert after Rego’s promotion to 5th dan
George Rego
Journey
Step into my personal space where I share the adventures, reflections, and teachings that shape my path in Jukido Jujitsu - through stories, travels, and insights into the art we love.
What You’ll Find Here
Where Would You Like to Begin?
A living archive of reflections, teachings, and encounters from a lifelong journey in Jukido Jujitsu.
Stories & Travels
From dojo visits to cultural insights, explore reflections from my journeys around the world - meeting masters, teaching seminars, and learning across borders.
Teachings & Articles
Insights on discipline, character, and the deeper lessons within the art of Jukido. Written pieces for students, teachers, and seekers alike.
History & Legacy
Discover the roots of Jujitsu in America, including excerpts and thoughts from my book and archival research honoring those who walked before us.
About the Author
Meet George Rego
For over three decades, I’ve walked the path of Jukido Jujitsu - not only as a martial artist and teacher, but as a devoted student of its philosophy, people, and origins. This site is a place where I share reflections from my journey: moments of insight on the mat, lessons from travels across dojos and continents, and stories that honor those who came before us.
Chief Instructor Since
1999
Lifelong Martial Artist
Since Age 8
About my Book
The Book That Travels the Past
The Founding of Jujutsu & Judo in America invites readers on a rich, well-researched journey - from the first encounters with the art of jujutsu in the United States to the teachers, presidents (yes, even Theodore Roosevelt), and pioneers who shaped its path to becoming a part of American culture. It’s a story written out of reverence—for pioneers, for truth, and for every martial artist’s heritage.
Published Author
2022
Martial Arts & Sports History on AMAZON
Best Seller
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What Readers Are Saying
Kind words from readers and historians who’ve journeyed through its pages.
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Accessible & Informative
“An easily accessible, yet highly informative, account of how the Japanese fighting art made its way to the United States.”
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Readable History for All
“Whether you are a martial arts history aficionado or someone wanting a simple and readable history - THE FOUNDING OF JUJUTSU & JUDO IN AMERICA is for you!”
Antonio Aloia
Martial Arts History Chronicle
Rich Interviews & Unseen Archives
“It expands further … providing never‑before‑seen images and newspaper articles … interviews of postwar jujutsu and judo pioneers.”
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