O Sensei Claude Woodson was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1948. While growing up in Chicago in the 50s Dr. Woodson lived on the outskirts of Chinatown. Many of his friends were Oriental and practiced martial arts. Because of the friendship he formed, he was given a favor within the Asian community and among the families there, where he learned pure jujitsu as a way of living, and not as a sport as it is looked upon by many today. While in the military Sensei Woodson studied with Sensei Cliff Wilson and was left with the awesome responsibility to continue the art of Jukite Jujitsu.

Jukite Jujitsu is a primitive form of fighting which utilizes the entire body as a weapon. Those who practice it and become skillful are very mindful of their destructive capability and grief any inappropriate or unintentional harm done to others. The teachings of Jukite Jujitsu work to develop character and, to address physical confrontation as a means to an end, if all other avenues of communication have failed in order to preserve life.

A typical workout session for Sensei Woodson would last at least two hours per day. This would include always going over the basics i.e. stances, movements, falls breaking and defensive techniques. To protect the privacy of the art Sensei Woodson and his Sensei worked out behind closed doors. Classes were small in number and each student was given preferential treatment during those days. Pictures were not considered as something we wanted to do. During his training days, emphasis was not on rank but rather on acquiring knowledge and skill in performance of the technique in defending one’s self. This in and of itself necessitated hard work and much physical endurance for conditioning and mental alertness. The rank of Black Belt came early for sensei Woodson but more important than this, was his ability to live up to the expectations of what was taught.

While in the Air Force Claude Woodson was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota serving in missile security. Dr. Woodson taught Jukite Jujitsu at the Rapid City YMCA. The start of the school in Rapid City required a lot of thought because Claude Woodson is black, small in stature and he was not certain how he would be received by a predominantly white population. Much of his time as an instructor was spent demonstrating his physical ability and mental capabilities. Subsequently, the word got around, and resulted in classes forming. The classes were packed at least three times per week until sensei Woodson’s left Rapid City. Grand Master Woodson recalls that each class was uniquely different and a lot of fun. Dr. Woodson continued to travel back and forth for further instruction in Jukite from Sensei Wilson.

He promoted three students to the rank of Shodan in Rapid City. The students promoted were Al Salazar, Gary Herren, and Dennis Rush. When he transferred from Ellsworth, Claude chose Al Salazar to lead the school in Rapid City. Turning over the operation of his classes to Mr. Salazar was very easy for Sensei Woodson he considers Mr. Salazar a very dedicated person in his commitment to the art of Jukite Jujitsu. He is a man of vision, drive, and capability, is sincere in heart in what he believes, and strives to accomplish. Al Salazar maintained Contact with Grand Master Woodson from the Jukite Jujitsu school in Rapid City and after his move to Houston in 1978.

After his Air Force commitment, O’Sensei Woodson returned to St. Louis, Missouri, where he continued training in Jujitsu establishing Jukite Jujitsu schools in the St. Louis area. (See O'Sensei Woodson's complete Bio in under Jukite Ju Jitsu Instructors)

Al Salazar - Kudan

Al Salazar was born and raised in Houston, Texas.

After his Air Force discharge, he continued to live in Rapid City. From 1965 to 1969 Al Salazar was a student in the art of Jukite Jujitsu taught by Claude Woodson at the YMCA in Rapid City. In 1969, Grandmaster Woodson was transferred out of Ellsworth Air Force Base and passed the Chief Instructor position of the Jukite Jujitsu School to Sensei Al Salazar. Al Salazar is also proficient in Kodokan Judo, Shodokan Karate, Aikido and Kendo.

Al instructed Jukite Jujitsu at the Rapid City YMCA from 1969-1978 during this time he had many students that he continues to admire and remember. This list includes but is not limited to Rod Holmes, Dave Morehouse, Dennis Rush, Craig Hendrickson, Fred Lorenzen, Vince Braun, Chris Lampert (The first lady Black Belt in Jukite), Dr. Patrick Clinch, Al’s sons Christopher, Jason, Josh and Jordan, Fred weeks and many others. Al is proud of the fact that several of the students that were in his first class in the late 60s and early 70s in Rapid City continue to be involved in Jukite Jujitsu today (2009). The last time Al counted, there were 21 Black Belts from his martial arts lineage teaching in 19 states.

Before returning to Houston in 1978, Sensei Salazar passed the Chief instructor’s role and the YMCA Rapid City Dojo to Sensei Rod Holmes.

Upon returning to his home in Houston TX. Master Salazar taught Jukite Ju-Jitsu with the City of Houston Parks and Recreation department managing the martial arts program. Al was responsible for supervising five other martial arts instructors in 52 parks through the 1980’s and 1990’s. The student attendance for this training is estimated between 300 – 700 students. Our humble Master instructor says it was 300.

After 12 years in Houston Master Salazar returned to the Rapid City, his involvement with the dojo at this time was minimal as not to disrupt the leadership of Sensei Holmes. After several more years in Rapid City Master Salazar relocated to a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama called Homewood. In 2008, Master Salazar secured a position as the martial arts instructor for the Homewood Alabama parks and recreational Department.

In 2009, Hanshi Al Salazar announced to the leadership of the Jukite Jujitsu Federation that he would be retiring from active instruction in martial arts. Hanshi Salazar has 40 years of experience in Jukite Jujitsu and 50 years experience in martial arts. Hanshi Salazar now ranks as a Kudan (9°) Black Belt in Jukite Ju-Jitsu continuing under the leadership of Grand Master Claude Woodson.

Master Doug Langworthy - Kudan (Rushmore Ju Jitsu)

After studying other types of martial arts early in his life Master Langworthy began his training in Jukite Ju-jitsu in 1983, earning his Black Belt (Shodan) in 1987. Dr. Claude Woodson, 10th degree black belt and Grand Master of the art of Jukite Ju-jitsu, promoted Master Langworthy to 9th degree black belt June 2009. He and his school are members of the American Ju-jitsu Association, Dojo #2400, and he has been recognized through this national organization as a certified instructor.

Master Jef Rice - Rokudan (Premier Ju Jitsu)

Master Jef Rice began his martial arts career at about the age of 12 first studying Judo in Los Angeles, California until the age of 14 at which time he moved to Rapid City to finish High School.

In 1981, Master Rice was hired by the Rapid City Police Department. While working as a police officer, Master Rice was still very much interested in continuing his training in the martial arts. Master Rice started his training in Jukite Ju Jitsu in 1983 at the YMCA Jukite Ju Jitsu School of Self-Defense. After several years of training, Master Rice received his black belt in 1990. It was on December 1^st, 1990 that Master Rice started his first school in Spearfish, South Dakota. This School was later turned over to Sensei Ross Boone until Sensei Boones relocation in 2006. Master Rice also started a second school in Sturgis, South Dakota.

In 2007, Master Rice began started Premier Ju Jitsu in Rapid City, and was promoted to Rokudan by Osensei Woodson, Master Salazar and Master Langworthy. Master Rice continues to teach at Premier Ju Jitsu and is currently developing a school back in the Spearfish area with one of his head instructors, Sensei Ron Hoard.

Master Rice is currently a Deputy Sheriff, and assists with the training of law enforcement personnel. He is also attending classes for the University of South Dakota pursuing a degree in criminal justice.