Frank Morales

Frank Morales

Frank N. Morales Jr.

Judo Biography

Sometimes in life it is easy to overlook the influence and consistency of some people, maybe it is because of their ubiquity or their quiet, humble and behind the scenes presence. Occasionally we have opportunity to see beyond this humility and have a chance to reflect and realize how much we must give thanks for their contribution to our world. Frank Morales is one of these special people. He has quietly, without fanfare, trained and worked to be the best he can, while silently contributing to the successful growth and promotion of US Judo for the past half-century. Frank Morales began his judo life in 1968 studying under LA Police Officer Bob Jarvis, who was a student of Kuniyuki Sensei. His fascination and enjoyment with judo took off from there. He became a devotee of judo and making Shodan two years later in 1970. Just a year later Frank became one of the lead instructors under Chiaki Nakabayashi at LA Tenri. At this time LA Tenri was one of Los Angeles’ most successful and influential judo dojos. Becoming a person of influence there was no trivial feat. His influence continued for the next twenty years, with Frank training and preparing several senior national champions for the Olympics in 1975 and 1976. Over this period Frank continued to work behind the scenes at the local and national level, building his skills in Judo technique, teaching and refereeing. In 1990, Frank was drawn away from Los Angeles and served in the US Navy during Desert Storm. Although in the Navy, his influence and promotion of judo did not abate. Frank taught judo to US Navy SEALS and when he was in Puerto Rico for the Navy he started a judo club there. Upon his return to Los Angeles in the early nineties, Frank became the President/CEO of Nanka Judo Yudanshakai. He also continued to hone his refereeing skills and in 1992 was awarded IJF “A” Referee status. In this role he participated at very many elite and prestigious Judo Tournaments around the world. Including Junior World Championships in Egypt in 1994.

Dr. Melvin Applebaum, Osmil Milan, Frank Morales, Thomas Seabasty

Frank persistently continues to contribute to the world of Judo Refereeing. He was on multiple commissions and Refereeing Committees at the National (USJI and USJF) as well as the regional (Nanka) level. In recognition of his contribution in 2018 Frank along with Joon Chi was recognized at a special luncheon for their dedication to Judo by the USA Judo Referee Commission. To quote from the award – “Frank N. Morales, Jr. Presented in appreciation and recognition for over 20 Years as an IJF International Referee, Member and Chairperson of the USA Judo Referee Commission. Your Outstanding Leadership, Council, Congeniality and Resoluteness Enabled Your Immeasurable contributions to Judo and Refereeing in the USA. Thank You Very Much for Many Years of Dedicated and Diligent Service. November 10, 2018 Seattle, Washington”.

In the early 2000’s Frank decided to retire and was invited by Aoki Sensei to help 50th State Yudanshakai with their judo program. Frank was known for his easy manner, as a member of the USJI Referee Commission, he was focused on fairness, so refereeing came easy for him. Even so, he worked hard at his craft. Refereeing was about judging what was fair and equitable for those who joined in contesting to see who had the best technique and timing. Frank instinctively knew how to position himself to see judo being done at its best, no matter how difficult it was to decipher for others, he was regarded by his peers to be one of our finest “A” referees. What was even better was the fact that he was also good at showing others too how to be fair and equitable. He was not only a great “A” himself, but he was also the mentor of other great referees.

Like all great achievers, it is sometimes difficult to enumerate all their achievements. While some are plainly obvious others are just unsung verses in their song of life. In 1976 Frank was a member of the four-man mat Referee Supervision team at the Atlanta GA, Olympics. His role was to address any technical problems that might arise on Mat A or B. This is an attestation of the Commissions confidence in his ability to capably manage any issues. In Southern California, Frank will be remembered for his establishment of the Nanka “Junior Referees” Program. This program has become recognized as being one of the first of its type and remains one of the best. It is used to introduce and train young judoka as judo referees. Later he even used young talented referees to referee adults. This is a practice that came into being as Nanka had more and more tournaments that required more and more referees. At one point Frank joined a group of judo enthusiasts in a crazy race to make the Guinness Book of Records by participating in the longest continuous judo practice on record for more than 72 hours, only to be beaten out by a British team who did it a few extra hours before his groups practice could be officially authenticated. These contributions of time and talent warrant recognition of Morales Sensei’s lifetime of achievements in judo.

Frank Morales at the 2014 USJF Junior & Senior Nationals at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, July 3-6, 2014

Kwijoon Chi and Frank Morales

Frank Morales, Robert Fukuda and Kwijoon Chi

Hayward Nishioka and Frank Morales

Robert Fukuda and Frank Morales

Kwijoon Chi and Frank Morales

Joaquin Gonzales and Frank Morales

front row: Frank Morales, Robert Fukuda 2nd row: ???, Roy Uemura, Rose Knudsen

front row: Frank Morales, Robert Fukuda

2nd row: unknown, Roy Uemura, Rose Knudsen

front row: James Takemori, Kwijoon Chi, Frank Morales, Robert Fukuda 2nd row: Michael Hiatt, Roy Uemura, Bryce Oishi, Barbara Shimizu 3rd row: Akio Yokoyama, Joan Miller, Rose Knudsen

front row: James Takemori, Kwijoon Chi, Frank Morales, Robert Fukuda
2nd row: Michael Hiatt, Roy Uemura, Bryce Oishi, Barbara Shimizu
3rd row: Akio Yokoyama, Joan Miller, Rose Knudsen

Frank N. Morales Jr.

Judo Biography

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