Two-time Olympic Medalist and World Champion, Jimmy Pedro, has teamed with Buck Wessell, 2004 Olympic Team Leader of the Boulder Judo Training Center in Colorado, to provide a Professional Judo system and holistic approach to the development of well-rounded athletes.

"Team FORCE" is a full-time resident training program for judo players looking not only to advance their level of success in the sport of judo, but also want to become well-rounded athletes and successful leaders within their community.

FORCE stands for “Focus On Results, Civic Responsibility and Education".

The Team FORCE program is designed to help athletes succeed in every aspect of their life. Team FORCE will provide young adults with the opportunity to train in the sport of judo in pursuit of their Olympic dreams while learning valuable life skills and leadership traits that will arm them for success in life after sport.  Team FORCE places emphasis on education, positive role modeling, civic responsibility, and life long skills that will help impact society in a positive way.

Pursuit of Olympic Dreams

Working to develop both mental and physical skills, Team FORCE athletes will train year round to perfect their abilities within the sport of judo by attending practices and tournaments locally, nationally and internationally.  Ultimately, many Team FORCE athletes will be serious contenders to represent the United States in the Olympic Games and the World Championships.

Life Skills Development

Team FORCE athletes will also participate in monthly leadership sessions that focus on the key attributes and characteristics that leaders and champions possess, including setting goals, focus, discipline, confidence, communication skills, and visualization.

Team FORCE athletes will also serve as role models and mentors by speaking to schools in their community, instructing classes for younger athletes and participating in civic events within their area.

Community Service

Team FORCE members will give back to the community and fulfill their civic responsibility by participating in the Aim Higher program offered by the Boulder Judo Training Center.  The Aim Higher program provides judo and sports programs for underprivileged and adjudicated youth within the community.   Team FORCE athletes will foster the progress of these youth by serving as coaches and peer advisors in this program.

Team FORCE members receive financial assistance for the following:

Travel

Education Expenses

Housing

Training Camps

National and International Events

Elite Program Costs

Team FORCE Application Information

Team FORCE is an application based program.  Elite athletes interested in learning valuable life skills and who aspire to become a judo champions are encouraged to apply.

Athletes interested in applying to the Team FORCE program should read and complete the following forms:

Pedro's Judo Center Team FORCE Members

Pedro's Judo Center is proud to have four of their Elite athletes participating in the
Team FORCE program.

Asma Sharif	Category: 78kg Currently ranked #6 in US Rank: Sandan DOB: 9/27/1983 Place of Birth - Los Angeles, CA Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA Residence – Wakefield, MA Started Judo at age: 8 Professional: Currently employed at Harvard School of Public Health as a Research Assistant. Education: UCLA, Class of 2006 Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry	Career Highlights: 1st: 2001 High School National Championships 2000 High School National Championships 2nd: 2002 Jr. Pan American Championships (70kg) 2002 US Senior Nationals (70kg) 3rd: 2004 US Senior Nationals (78kg) 2003 US Senior Nationals (70kg) 2000 US Senior Nationals (70kg) 5th: 2006 US Senior Nationals
Radu Brestyan	Category : 73kg Currently ranked #2 in US Rank: Nidan DOB: January 22nd, 1983 Place of Birth – Arad, Romania Hometown – Medway, MA Residence - Wakefield, MA Started Judo at age: 8 Professional: Currently employed at Critical Therapeutics, Inc in Lexington, MA as Purchasing/Supply Chain Logistics Associate Education: Brown University, Class of 2005 BA in International Relations	Career Highlights: 1st: Irish Open (Dublin) 05 New York Open 06 2nd: Scottish Open (Edinborough) 05 US Senior Nationals 06 3rd: US Senior Nationals 05 US Open 05 Rendez-Vouz Canada 05 5th: New York Open 05
Rick Hawn	Category: 81kg Currently ranked #3 in US Rank: Sandan DOB: 9/15/1976 Place of Birth-Chicago, IL Hometown-Eugene, OR Residence-Wakefield, MA Started Judo at age 12 Professional: Currently employed at Home Depot in Wakefield, MA working as Head Cashier Education: High School Graduate, South Eugene High School, Eugene, Class of 96'.	Career Highlights: 2004 US Olympic Team Member (9th place) 1st: 2000 US Senior Nationals 2002 US Senior Nationals 2003 US Senior Nationals 2001 Rendezvous – Canada 2nd: 2006 Tre Torri International - Italy 2006 US Senior Nationals 2005 US Senior Nationals Senior 3rd: 2005 US open 2004 US Open 2003 US Open 2003 Korean Open 2002 Pan Am Championships 1999 Pan Am Championships
Dan McCormick	Category: +100kg Currently ranked #1 in US Rank: Shodan DOB: 5/30/1986 Place of Birth-Arlington, TX Hometown-Arlington, TX Residence-Wakefield, MA Started Judo at age 15	Career Highlights: USJF International Youth Male Athlete of the Year 2005 2004 Junior World Team Member 2005 Junior Pan American Team Member 1st: 2006 San Jose Buddhist Memorial 2006 Northglenn Invitational 2005 National Collegiate Championships 2005 Fall Classic 2005 Dallas Invitational 2005 Irish Junior Open 2004 US Jr. Olympics 2004 USJA Jr. Nationals 2004 Jr. US Open 2004 Golden State championships 2004 Dallas Invitational 2004 Northglenn Invitational 2003 US Jr. Olympics 2003 USJA Jr. Nationals 2nd: 2006 Midwestern Judo Championships 2005 Jr. Pan American Championships 2005 US Senior Nationals 2005 San Jose Buddhist Memorial 2005 Northglen Invitational 2004 Swamp Classic 3rd: 2006 Senior US Open 2006 US Senior Nationals 2006 Fall Classic 2006 Liberty Bell Championship 2005 Senior US Open 2005 Senior British Open 2005 Jr. British Open 2005 Irish Senior Open 2004 Rendezvous 2004 Fall Classic 2004 High School Nationals