-master Ernie Cates (8th dan Kodokan Judo), “Grand Master Dong was promoted to 6th degree in Judo. Sensei Ed Szrejter, Executive Director of the U.S. Judo Association made the presentation.”4 Additionally, for 17 consecutive years (from 1990-2007) Professor Cates was an invited instructor at Cuong Nhu’s Annual Trainning Camp where Professor/Grandmaster Cates’ classes were so popular and well-received that there never seemed to be enough mat space available to accommodate all those eager to learn from one of the teachers and oldest friends of Cuong Nhu’s founder.

Similarly Doshu Colangelo benefited and was influenced by the over 17 years that Professor/Grandmaster Ernie Cates took Doshu Colangelo under his wing and directed, guided, mentored, advised, trained and evaluated him on a regular basis. This instruction focused on Judo, Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu, Ju Jitsu, military and law enforcement control techniques, as well as martial arts in general. During this time Doshu Colangelo also received years of focused training in Judo from Sensei Carol Widop-Sonka and Sensei Remi Gallix. Doshu Colangelo earned his 1st degree - Shodan (1995) and 3rd degree - Sandan (2007) in Judo being examined and promoted by Professor/Grandmaster Ernie Cates (similar to Grandmaster/Dr. Ngo Dong). All promotions were confirmed by the President, Executive Director, as well as the Chairman of the Board of the
U.S. Judo Association. In 2007, Professor/Grandmaster Ernie Cates (USJA National Jujitsu Board of Examiner) evaluated and promoted Doshu Colangelo to the rank of 6th degree - Rokudan in USJA JuJitsu. Promotion to 6th dan in USJA Jujitsu was also confirmed by USJA’s Jujitsu’s 10 member panel including Sensei Ed Szrejter (who similarly promoted Grandmaster/Dr. Ngo Dong in Judo). Also in 2007 Doshu Colangelo was also evaluated and promoted by Professor/Grandmaster Ernie Cates (Founder of Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu) and Grandmaster Moose Cates (current Soke Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu) to 6th degree - Rokudan in Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu.

As his passion, abilities and knowledge in martial arts grew and matured with over 30 years combined experience (28+ years in CN Karate), Doshu Colangelo developed his own ideas, strategies, philosophies, direction and leadership style concerning martial arts to the point that he took “the road less traveled”, and in a demonstration of true leadership and courage, publically stepped out on his own and announced the creation of Go Jiu Bujitsu (The Way of Hard & Soft Martial Arts) in 2007.

Doshu Colangelo, like Grandmaster/Dr. Ngo Dong and others before him, utilized the hard-soft principle in creating a unique and extremely effective hybrid/mixed martial art.
“Go Jiu” is the Japanese equivalent to the words hard – soft. He, like Grandmaster/Dr. Ngo Dong, was deeply humbled and honored to also have as an advisor, mentor, sponsor and friend-Professor/Grandmaster Ernie Cates.
           

The most unique aspect of Go Jiu Bujitsu is in its’ blending and utilization of multiple traditional martial arts in a traditional fashion (not diluted or modified).  These arts are Shotokan, Jiu Jitsu and Judo. A strong traditional foundation to the intermediate or advanced level is achieved in these component martial arts prior to exposure to Aikido, Wing Chun Kung Fu and Tai Chi, coupled with military and law enforcement techniques, and Chi Gung exercises creating a truly balanced mixed martial artist. From traditional kata and traditional techniques, to point-sparring, to Judo/Jiu Jitsu randori, to weapons defense, to no nonsense self-defense, to board breaking, to character building philosophy, Go Jiu Bujitsu is a modern martial art that appeals equally to traditionalists, mixed martial artists and students of self-defense.

4 Quote from http://www.cuongnhu.com/Founder.aspx Copyright 2002-2208 CNOMAA, Inc.

Doshu Colangelo’s purpose, through Go Jiu Bujitsu, is to create competent, well-rounded mixed martial artists, and to positively impact and transform the lives of the arts’ practitioners by enabling them to “learn to make the seemingly impossible, into a reality” in their study of martial arts, as well as in all aspects of their lives.

In 2007 the World Head of Family Sokeship Council Board of Directors:

1. reviewed and evaluated  Doshu Colangelo’s Instruction and Training Manual for Go Jiu Bujitsu;
2. conducted a surprise intensive personal interview of Doshu Colangelo; as well as,
3. surprised him with requiring an on-the- spot, detailed physical demonstration of techniques from Go Jiu Bujitsu.

As as result, in May 2007 Doshu Colangelo: was awarded their “Founder’s Award”; was recognized by; was inducted into; and became a member of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council.

This immense honor provided immediate international recognition of Go Jiu Bujitsu as a new and legitimate hybrid/mixed martial art with Doshu Colangelo as the arts’ Shuso (Founder) and Soke (Headmaster).

Doshu Colangelo also currently serves on WHFSC’s Technical Advisory Committee.

The WHFSC is one of the largest, most elite and prestigious Grandmasters councils in the world and is composed solely of 9th and 10th dan Grandmasters and their equivalents.