Master Jan Finkbeiner started
Judo training in 1972 under coach Lanny Reed in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
He also trained under Ishikawa
Sensei and Phil Porter Sensei (10th Dan).
For many years he competed in Judo competitions at the state, national,
and international levels. During his years in competition he competed in
more than 325 Judo matches.
Master Finkbeiner was the
head Judo coach at Juniata College for 15 years where he coached several EJCA
Judo champions. In 1997 he was awarded the EJCA National Collegiate
Outstanding Coaches award. In 1998 the Juniata College judo team competed
in the Eastern Collegiate Judo Nationals tournament in Annapolis, Maryland.
Juniata College placed second of 28 competing teams that year, with all six
competitors placing first in each of their weight classes. Some of
the competing teams were Army-West Point, Navy - Annapolis, Slippery Rock
College, NYU, Temple University and Brown University. Master Finkbeiner was
voted
NCAA Coach of the Year by the EJCA at that tournament.
Master Jan Finkbeiner also assisted
in training two-time world Sambo champion David Brown. He currently holds
the ranks of Rokudan (6th Dan) in
both Judo and Ju-Jitsu through the United States Judo Association.
