Biography

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Associate Professor Denise Gonzales, Rokudan is the niece of the late Professor Antone Gonzales.  She has been actively practicing martial arts since 1964 and started her training in Judo, Dan Zan Ryu Jujitsu and Small Circle Jujitsu under Professors Wally Jay and Lee Eichelberger at Island Judo & Jujitsu Club in Alameda.  Denise completed in many Judo tournaments both regionally and nationally earning both gold and silver medals and was presented with Island Judo’s Hall of Fame award. 

 

In the 1990s she became one of Team Sacramento’s Judo instructors and coach for 17 years. She also cross-trained in Brazilian Jujitsu under Casio Wernick and in Krav Maga (3rd level) under Sifu McMahon.

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