Pedro’s Judo Honors and Awards 9 NEW Black Belts and 2005 Athletes of the Year
Pedro’s Judo Center
19 New Salem St.
Wakefield, MA 01880
978-973-6238
jimmypedro@zebramats.com
On Friday, December 16th over 200 members of the community and students of Pedro’s Dojo gathered at Pedro’s Judo Center in Wakefield, MA for the first-ever Black Belt Extravaganza and awards night. Nine individuals were awarded the highest honor in judo – the achievement of black belt and Special Awards were presented in the following categories: 2005 Athlete of the Year, Jim Pedro Sr. Award – Male & Female, and Outstanding Service and Dedication.
Pedro’s Judo Center is owned and operated by 2 Time Olympic Bronze medalist – Jimmy Pedro. The Center is located on 19 New Salem St. in Wakefield, MA and has been producing leaders and champions on and off the mat for 9 years. This year Mr. Pedro decided to “…bring together the entire dojo and community for this special night of Honor to celebrate the great achievement of these individuals who have made a lifelong commitment to learning the martial art of judo as well as a commitment to our dojo, to teaching others, and to giving back to the art. I am very proud of each and every one of them.”
Black belt promotions:
Jim Pedro Sr. (Lynn, MA) was awarded the rank of Shichidan – 7th degree Black belt. Mr. Pedro is a lieutenant on the Lynn Fire Department and has been actively participating in the martial art of judo since the age of 19.
Rick Hawn (Woburn, MA) was awarded the rank of Yondan - 4th degree Black belt. Rick was a 2004 US Olympian in the sport of judo and moved to the Boston area five months ago to train with the Pedro’s in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Jim Holland III (Nahant, MA) was awarded the rank of Sandan – 3rd degree Black belt. Mr. Holland has been actively participating in the sport of judo for the past 40 years and is one of the Instructors of Pedro’s Judo Center.
Radu Brestyan (Medway, MA) was awarded the rank of Nidan - 2nd degree Black belt. Radu is currently ranked #2 in the United States at 73kg.
Norman Winsor (Lynnfield, MA) was awarded the rank of Nidan – 2nd degree Black belt. Norman work as an electrician for the John Penny Corporation and is an active instructor at Pedro’s Judo Center.
Mugsie Samuelson (Lynn, MA) was awarded the rank of Nidan – 2nd degree Black belt. Mugsie works for the City of Lynn Water department and is an active instructor at Pedro’s Judo Center.
Butch McIlwain (Lynn, MA) was awarded the rank of Nidan – 2nd degree Black belt. Butch works as a property manager for GLMH and is an active instructor at Pedro’s Judo Center.
Shirley Yacubowicz (Andover, MA) was awarded the rank of Shodan – 1st degree Black belt. Shirley is one of Mr. Pedro’s original students, a multi-time national place-winner, and currently is a sophomore student at RPI in New York.
George Kwmuntis (Peabody, MA) was awarded the rank of Shodan – 1st degree Black belt. Goerge owns his own construction company and is an active instructor at Pedro’s Judo Center.
2005 Special Awards:
The Athlete of the Year Award recipient was Radu Brestyan (Medway, MA). He is currently ranked #2 in the United States at 73kg and placed 3rd at the US National championships, 3rd at the US Open, and 3rd at the Rendez-vous in Canada. He also won a silver medal at the Scottish Open and a Gold medal at the Irish Open.
The Jim Pedro Sr. Award recipient for Males was Luke Boyle (Boxford, MA). Luke was a 2005 National Champion and winner of the AmCan International, Morris Cup, and Chaves Invitational.
The Jim Pedro Sr. Award recipient for Females was Antonia Vinciarelli (Lynn, MA). “Toni” was a two-time National Champion and won gold medals at the Am Can International, Pedro’s Challenge, and Morris Cup.
The Outstanding Service and Dedication Award recipient was Robert Kwmuntis (Derry, NH). Robert has been actively coaching at Pedro’s Judo center for the past three and a half years and attends every competition possible.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR PHOTOS, contact Jimmy Pedro at jimmypedro@zebramats.com or 978-973-6238
 Black Belt recipients From left to right: Rick Hawn, Radu Brestyan, Shirley Yacubowicz, George Kwmuntis |
 Black Belt recipients From left to right: Norm Winsor, Butch McIlwain, Jimmy Holland, Mugsy Samuelson |
 2005 Jimmy Pedro Sr. Award Recipients: Front row (L to R): Luke Boyle and Antonia Vinciarelli Second row (L to R): Radu Brestyan and Robert Kwmuntis |
 Pedro's Judo Center Player of the Year Radu Brestyan with Sensei Jimmy Pedro |