About Us
AJJF 50 Year Award: 1973 – Vern Brekke
Sensei Brekke is known as a talented and superb martial artist. His style is soft, but powerful; slow, smooth, and controlled. But is especially known for his creativity. For example, just for fun, he learned to execute the Yawara list… with his feet. Imagine that! Someone grabs your ankle and you escape with a Katate Hazushi— or should I say Ashi Hazushi— and he did this for the entire list!
Vern started jujitsu at the Nibukikan in Chico, California in 1973. He was promoted to Shodan in 1976. In 1978, as a new Nidan, he moved to Salinas, California to take over the Tanima Arashi Dojo when Sensei Dave Martin wanted to relocate to Sacramento. During his time in Salinas he studied TaeKwonDo and Wing Chun under Sensei John Marshal. This training was a turning point in his understanding of martial arts.
