Titles & Positions:

• Chief Instructor, Jukido Jujitsu Academy
• Senior Director — Strategy & Technical Standards, IKA
• Member, IKA Board of Directors & Masters
• Author – The Founding of Jujutsu & Judo in America
• IKA Martial Artist of the Year (Longo Award for Excellence – 2005)

Ranks & Qualifications:

• Rokudan (6th degree black belt): Jukido Jujitsu (2026)
• Sandan (3rd degree black belt): Kokondo Karate (2019)
• IKA Instructor Certification – Jukido Jujitsu (1999)
• IKA Weapons Qualified Certification (2004)

George Rego Sensei (6th dan) is a Portuguese-American lifelong martial artist and is widely recognized as one of the most prominent minds, technicians, 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 art, his mission as a martial artist has always been to personally embody and pass forward the highest possible expression of Jukido Jujitsu.

Rego began training at the International Kokondo Association’s honbu dojo (world headquarters) under Shihan Paul Arel at the age of eight. From an early point in his development, it became apparent to many senior sensei that he possessed an uncommon combination of natural ability, an obsession with technical precision, and a deep curiosity for continual refinement. In an exceedingly rare departure from his traditionally conservative standards for awarding teaching authority, Shihan Arel granted IKA Instructor Certification to Rego while he was still a teenage shodan (1st degree black belt). This distinction made him the youngest individual ever awarded a full teaching license in the Kokondo martial arts, and for many years he remained the youngest Jukido Jujitsu sensei in the world.

Despite his youth, Rego was entrusted with responsibilities that extended well beyond leading a single dojo. Upon relocating to Palm Coast, Florida, he was charged with expanding the reach of the art into the Southeastern United States—at the time, uncharted territory for both the style and the association. The founder’s confidence in his young black belt was publicly affirmed at the 1999 IKA New England Awards Banquet, where Shihan Arel declared, “George is going to head up Florida and do amazing things! I know he will! I know he will!” Within just a few years, Rego Sensei established the most well-attended IKA dojo worldwide. In 2004, the dojo expanded into a full-time storefront location, and in 2005 he was awarded the IKA’s Martial Artist of the Year honor (later renamed the Master Robert Longo Award of Excellence) in recognition of his role in expanding both the scope and standards of the art. His leadership, technical depth, passion for teaching, and genuine care for his students created a world-class dojo that remains widely respected within the Flagler County community and beyond.

Like his sensei before him, Master Rego firmly believes that while martial arts provide exceptional physical education, their ultimate purpose lies in realistic, practical, and effective self-defense. His dojo—like all IKA-affiliated schools—places an unapologetic emphasis on jujitsu’s original function: empowering the smaller and weaker to prevail against the larger and stronger in real-world combative encounters. Central to this philosophy is Rego’s commitment to “combative completeness,” ensuring that students develop a comprehensive and adaptable skill set capable of addressing the full spectrum of self-defense realities.

Within this framework, Rego Sensei also recognizes the value of randori (jujitsu and judo-style sparring) and other competitive training methodologies when applied thoughtfully. While competition-focused training can be detrimental when improperly emphasized, he maintains that—when strategically placed within a broader self-defense curriculum and focused on skill development rather than point-scoring—such methods are not only appropriate, but essential to the growth of a well-rounded martial artist.

As part of his continued study of this dimension of martial arts, Rego became a multi-time champion in shiai competition and is widely regarded as an authority on the role of randori within Jukido Jujitsu. He is a seven-time IKA gold medalist, including five consecutive gold medals in the senior black belt division. He is also one of only two lightweights in history to win the IKA Jukido Jujitsu Grand Championship, an open-weight competition among black belt divisional champions. In 2010, at the IKA National Seminar in Seattle, Washington, Rego returned to competition after several years away and won the inaugural National Jukido Jujitsu Championship in the senior black belt division, securing his seventh and final gold medal. In 2015, while in Louisiana and largely on a whim, he entered the AAU National Freestyle Judo Championship—his first and only appearance in the freestyle judo format against seasoned competitors from judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, sambo, wrestling, and other grappling arts. Rego became AAU National Freestyle Judo Champion in the Masters Lightweight division undefeated, conceding no points throughout the tournament. He later incorporated the lessons of this experience into his teaching, refining his understanding of both the strengths and limitations of sport-based grappling systems.

In 2008, Rego became the final individual personally promoted by the founder to the rank of yondan (4th degree black belt). In July 2015, he was tested by the IKA Board of Masters and Kaicho Howard for the rank of godan (5th degree black belt)—an exceedingly rare and demanding examination. Following an exhaustive evaluation described by one senior black belt as “inspiring” and by another as “the most impressive display of martial arts I’ve ever seen,” Rego was awarded the rank of godan and formally recognized with the title of “Master.” In most Japanese martial traditions, mastery is acknowledged at this level. With this promotion, Rego became one of only seven living individuals recognized as masters in the art of Jukido Jujitsu. Despite this distinction, he remains quick to emphasize that mastery is never final, often stating, “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 body, but must always have a white belt somewhere in the heart.”

“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

In recognition of his lifelong dedication, unique talents, and leadership, Rego was appointed Co-Director of the Jujitsu Division of the International Kokondo Association in January 2016. As Director of Jukido Jujitsu, he assumed responsibility for the oversight, expansion, and long-term vision of the art and its sanctioned dojo worldwide. In July 2025, he was promoted to the rank of rokudan (6th degree black belt). In January 2026, he was appointed Senior Director of the IKA—a role that, in coordination with the Chairman and Vice Chairman, places him in a primary position for establishing and overseeing both the strategic vision of the organization and the technical standards of Kokondo’s martial arts.

Master Rego is widely acknowledged as one of the finest technicians in the history of the art.

His approach is characterized by cerebral prioritization of balance, efficiency, and the intuitive application of sudden, overwhelming tactical superiority. His primary influence remains his first sensei, Shihan Paul Arel. Kaicho Howard, who has mentored Rego since childhood, has also had a profound and lasting impact on his technical development. Rego regards Kaicho Howard as the original technical benchmark for the jujitsu branch of the Kokondo system and the first, aside from the founder, to fully demonstrate the art’s potential under its most capable technician. Rego has consistently endeavored to honor and carry forward that legacy. Master R. Robert has likewise played a significant role, particularly in shaping Rego’s views on Jukido Jujitsu as a true fighting art, the importance of creativity, and the balance between authenticity and evolution.

Beyond these influences, Rego has studied the work of numerous martial masters whose contributions have indirectly shaped his thinking, including Jigoro Kano, Mikinosuke Kawaishi, Kyuzo Mifune, Yukio Tani, Mitsuyo Maeda, Gunji Koizumi, Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki, Hiroshi Katanishi, Alfredo Vismara, Rickson Gracie, Hidetaka Nishiyama, Mas Oyama, and many others.

Rego Sensei has long rejected the saying, “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.” He has consistently emphasized—both in himself and in his most senior students—that effective leadership must be grounded in genuine technical ability. As he often states, “I’m sometimes the teacher, but I am always the student.” In this spirit, Master Rego continues to pursue the highest standards of excellence in his own practice, in his direct students, and in the broader Jukido Jujitsu community worldwide.