Located in North Port, Florida, Nokido offers quality martial arts instruction in a safe and fun family environment.

If you’re looking for a great method of self-defense and to learn about all aspects of the martial arts, then Nokido Ju-Jitsu, Judo, and BJJ is for you. Our curriculum is designed for all ages, genders, and physical abilities. Students practice real-world techniques under watchful instruction. Nokido training is a year-round activity and a life-changing experience. Come join the fun and be a part of our family!

First Lesson Is Free

We encourage you to visit our dojo to observe class and speak with our friendly, professional staff.  Once your questions are answered, you may try a full lesson before enrolling.  If you know of a friend who is interested, please feel free to invite them as well.

Beginners and those with previous training are welcome.

We look forward to seeing you on the mat!

location

1050 Innovation Ave., Unit B109

North Port, FL 34289

HOURS

Monday - Friday

5:00PM - 8:30PM

contact

senseichris.r@gmail.com

(941) 258-5652

class schedule

Nokido is located in the business complex behind Imagine Schools of North Port.

location

1050 Innovation Ave., Unit B109

North Port, FL 34289

HOURS

Monday - Friday

5:00PM - 8:30PM

contact

senseichris.r@gmail.com

(941) 258-5652

What is Nokido Jujitsu?

no-ki-do (pronounced: no-key-doh) (Japanese) literally translates in English as “of spirit way” which means “the way of the spirit”.

ju-jit-su (pronounced: joo-jit-soo) (Japanese) – noun –  a method developed in Japan of defending oneself without the use of weapons by using the strength and weight of an adversary to disable him.

While the true origin of Ju-Jitsu/Jiu-Jitsu/Ju-Jutsu is not clear, the practice of Ju-Jitsu methods can be dated before Christ.  Many different theories exist about Ju-Jitsu originating in India, China, and Japan.  Japanese Ju-Jitsu grew during the Feudal era of Japan and was expanded by the Samurai Warriors.  There are hundreds of different Ju-Jitsu styles that have been documented and are practiced even today, one of which is our style of Ju-Jitsu, Nokido Ju-Jitsu.  Ju-Jitsu has also produced many other styles of Martial Arts including Judo, Aikido, Aikijutsu, Russian Sambo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  Ju-Jitsu, the Samurai’s Martial Art is said to be the father of all Japanese Martial Arts.

For a more in depth look at the history of Ju-Jitsu check out the article on Wikipedia.

Nokido Ju-Jitsu can be traced to the Nokido Shrine in the town of Kamo-Cho located in the Tsuyama prefecture, just as the Shinto Yoshin Ryu style of Ju-Jitsu can be traced to the Shinto Shrines.  It is currently unknown how long Nokido Ju-Jitsu has been in existence.

Hanshi Andrew Gruenwald was the Director of Nokido Ju-Jitsu in the United States until the year 2000 when he passed away from a brain tumor. Hanshi Gruenwald studied the Martial Arts while stationed in Japan serving in the U.S. Army Special Forces. Sensei Gruenwald made frequent trips back to Japan to continue his studies after returning to the United States to pursue a career in Law Enforcement. Hanshi Gruenwald opened two Martial Art schools in the Chicago Area. Hanshi Gruenwald was a Hachidan, (8th Degree Black Belt) in Nokido Ju-Jitsu and Isshin –Ryu Karate and a Shichidan (7th Degree) in Judo. Hanshi Gruenwald was posthumously promoted to 9th Degree Black Belt by Nokido Ju-Jitsu in 2010, ten years after his death.  Hanshi Gruenwald improved Nokido Ju-Jitsu by blending the best techniques from all of the different styles of Martial Arts that he studied.

Before Shihan Gruenwald passed away, he advised his Senior student Shihan Earl DelValle that it would be up to him to continue the teachings of Nokido Ju-Jitsu in the United States.  At that time Shihan DelValle was a 5th degree black belt and had learned most of the Nokido system from Hanshi Gruenwald.  Unfortunately much of the Japanese history of Nokido Ju-Jitsu was lost upon the passing of Hanshi Gruenwald.  Shihan DelValle then continued to evolve Nokido Ju-Jitsu by adding effective techniques from the different styles of Martial Arts he has studied such as Judo, Aikido, Shito Ryu Karate, Defensive Tactics and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

In 2001 Nokido Ju-Jitsu was certified by the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation and International Ju-Jitsu Federation.  Since 2001, Nokido Ju-Jitsu has produced many Judo and Ju-Jitsu champions, including National Champions.  Nokido Ju-Jitsu is also certified by the USJA, Wolf Pack BJJ, and Jujitsu America.  Nokido Ju-Jitsu continues to move forward through its students and teachers.  As they progress and improve, so will the style of Nokido Ju-Jitsu, “The way of the Spirit”.

Sensei Chris Ritchie is the current owner and operator of Nokido Jujitsu in North Port, Florida.

Sensei Chris Ritchie was born in Bangkok, Thailand and moved to the United States at a young age. Sensei Ritchie grew up playing competitive organized sports and enjoys competition. Sensei Ritchie started his martial arts journey when he moved to Florida in the beginning of 2005. Some of Sensei Ritchie’s passions include, cooking, hunting, fishing, and anything martial art related. Sensei Ritchie is married and his wife also practices Nokido Ju-Jitsu and Judo.  Sensei Ritchie and his wife were founding members of the Special Team of Role Models (Storm Team).

Sensei Ritchie began to study Martial Arts at the North Port Family YMCA with Sensei Paul Lockwood, a certified Black Belt under Shihan DelValle. Sensei Ritchie instructed classes at the YMCA as an orange belt when Sensei Lockwood moved to Sarasota to pursue a law enforcement career. Sensei Ritchie taught at the YMCA until Shihan DelValle agreed to help Sensei Ritchie continue teaching classes in North Port. Sensei Ritchie is an excellent instructor and is continuing his education in Martial Arts while teaching classes. Sensei Ritchie has studied Nokido Ju-Jitsu & Judo and continues to pass on his knowledge of Nokido techniques in their purest form.

Sensei Ritchie is nationally certified by the USJJF, Jujitsu America, Wolf Pack BJJ and the USJA. Sensei Ritchie accomplishments include, 2007 Disney Martial Arts Festival Gold medalist in Gi Grappling, 2008 Disney Martial Arts Festival Silver medalist in Sport Ju-Jitsu, 2009 Gold medalist and National Champion for the U.S. Ju-Jitsu National Championships in Niagara, New York. Sensei Ritchie was awarded the Ohana award by Jujitsu America at the 2010 Jujitsu America convention. Sensei Ritchie is the first of Shihan DelValle’s Black Belts to reach Nidan, second degree black belt.

In 2012, Sensei Ritchie was promoted to Nidan by Jujitsu America and was certified as a National Coach for Judo. Sensei Ritchie was promoted to Purple belt by Professor Charles Dos Anjos and Shihan DelValle.  Sensei Ritchie became the first independent owner of a Nokido Ju-Jitsu chartered dojo and continues to lead Nokido Ju-Jitsu into the future.

In 2013 Sensei Ritchie attended the Gracie Immersion Camp and was promoted to Nidan in Judo by the USJA.

In 2015, Sensei Ritchie was promoted to Sandan in Nokido Jujitsu, JA and U.S. Jujitsu.

In 2016, Sensei Ritchie received his brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

In 2020, Sensei Ritchie was promoted to Yondan in Nokido Jujitsu, JA and U.S. Jujitsu.

Sensei Ritchie’s Certifications:

United States Ju-Jitsu (Yondan, Instructor, National Champion – Ju-Jitsu fighting Gold medalist, Nokido Ju-Jitsu & Judo Instructor, and Kata Certified in Ju-Jitsu & Judo, Sandan USA-TKJ)

Jujitsu America (Yondan, Ohana Award, National Champion – Self Defense Silver medalist, 2016 Instructor Of The Year)

United States Judo Association (Nidan, Instructor, Judo & USJA Ju-Jitsu, Technical Official, Referee, Kata Certified, National Coach, VI Coach.)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (IBJJF, Black belt, Self Defense Instructor, under Earl DelValle)

Nokido Jujitsu Yudansha

This Nokido Jujitsu Yudansha list is current with those certified under Nokido Jujitsu. Individuals that made rank under Shihan Andrew Gruenwald before his passing in 2000 are not included on this list. Nokido Jujitsuka past/present outside of the United States of America are also not included on this Yudansha listing. For more clarification please contact Chris Ritchie.

Hanshi Andrew Gruenwald, 9th Dan (1942 – 2000)

Shihan Earl DelValle, 7th Dan

Chris Ritchie, 4th Dan (Certified Instructor)

Jim Bobenchik, 2nd Dan

Kaye DelValle, 2nd Dan

CJ Thompson, 1st Dan

Kierstin DelValle, 1st Dan

Jim Conway, 1st Dan

Mike Morris, 1st Dan

Dave Kruger, 1st Dan (1964-2014)

Heather Langmann, 1st Dan

Jeff Conn, 1st Dan

Chris Rasmussen, 1st Dan

Paul Lockwood, 1st Dan

Randy Gonzalez, 1st Dan (Retired)

Nokido Jujitsu Ranking Structure

Almost every Martial Art has its own version of a belt system, with the Black Belt and White Belt being present in almost every style.  The belt system concept has only been around since 1886, which is very recent considering Martial Arts training (formal and informal) has been around for as long as humans have walked the planet.  Judo founder Dr. Jigoro Kano was the first person to signify martial arts ranking with a cotton belt.  It should be noted that belts/ranks are not transferable between the different styles of martial arts and each art is vastly different with it’s requirements for rank advancement.

Our style of Ju-Jitsu follows a fairly common belt progression for under ranks and follows the Judo belt structure for the black belt ranks.  Ranks are based on ability level of student, knowledge of required material, time in grade, age of the student, ability in randori/sport/grappling and commitment to Nokido Ju-Jitsu.  Like in most arts each color belt up to brown represents a single level at the class (kyu) ranks. Junior Ranks are divided into the Solid belt with a black horizontal stripe.  Brown belt has three levels and is considered an advanced level regarding skill in Ju-Jitsu/Judo.

Black belt is a substantial rank for the Nokido style and takes an average adult a minimum of five years to obtain with regular training.  When an individual reaches 1st Degree Black belt in Nokido Ju-Jitsu they will receive ranking in both Traditional Ju-Jitsu (Nokido) and in Judo. At 4th Degree Black Belt one is considered an expert technician and may wear a black and red panel belt.  Expert status comes after about 10 years of hard training at the black belt level.  When one reaches 6th Degree Black Belt one may wear a white and red panel belt which signifies a master teacher.  This follows the tradition of Judo.

Red belt is the highest rank in Nokido Ju-Jitsu and is awarded at 9th Degree Black Belt.  Red belt represents Senior Master and one should expect to be involved with Nokido Ju-Jitsu for 50 years to obtain this status.

Below is a more detailed list of the progression and classification of each rank in Nokido Ju-Jitsu.

NEW STUDENT – White Belt (10th Class)
Student learns rules of class, class etiquette, base stances and movements, how to break fall, and is introduced to throws/ joint locks/grappling/hand strikes/kicks.

BEGINNER LEVEL – Grey/Yellow/Orange Belt (9th – 7th Class)
Student begins to use basic moves in randori (sparring) and starts to build knowledge base of throws/joint locks/chokes/grappling/hand strikes/kicks.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL – Green/Blue/Purple Belt (6th – 4th Class)
Student continues to build knowledge base and begins to learn more complex moves and counters.

ADVANCED LEVEL – Brown Belt (3rd – 1st Class)
Student has a vast knowledge base and is learning how to use multiple counters/attacks in randori without exerting much effort.  Brown Belts are held to a higher standard and must begin to assist with instruction.

SKILLED TECHNICIAN – Black Belt (1st – 3rd Dan)
Student has become very proficient with standing and ground combat.  At this stage student is molding the art into their own personal style of Ju-Jitsu.  A student must be at least 16 years old to be awarded black belt status.

EXPERT TECHNICIAN – Black & Red Panel Belt (4th – 5th Dan)
Student/Teacher has the majority of moves and concepts of the Nokido system and is still refining the art to his/her physical and mental abilities.

MASTER TEACHER – White & Red Panel Belt (6th – 8th Dan)
Individual has mastered the Nokido Ju-Jitsu system and is now responsible for spreading knowledge to the state and national sector.

SENIOR MASTER TEACHER – Red Belt (9th – 10th Dan)
Individual has reached the apex of the art and is responsible for spreading Nokido Ju-Jitsu across the world.  Hanshi Gruenwald was the only person in the United States to be promoted to this level.

Explore the list below to visit Nokido's associations and affiliations.

USJJF

United States Ju-Jitsu ® Federation (USJJF), founded in 1971, is the National Member and USA National Governing Body for Ju-Jitsu with the World Ju-Jitsu Federation (WJJF), World Ju-Jitsu Kobudo Organization (WJJKO) and the Martial Arts International Federation (MAIF). USJJF is an all-inclusive national organization for all styles or systems of the ancient ju-jitsu art.

USA-TKJ

The mission of the USA Traditional Kodokan Judo (USA-TKJ) is to unify American judoka with a foundation of mutual respect and mutual benefit for all and to provide services and guidance to foster technical excellence, fellowship and human character development.

Kyoshinkan

Nokido is a proud affiliate of Kyoshinkan, a traditional style karate dojo under the direction of Hanshi Lenny Jordan.