Mark Staniszewski

Mark Staniszewski; also known as Mark Stan (b. Aug. 1973) is an American born martial artist and the first athlete to win Pan American Championships in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo;^[1] and a Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee.^[2]

Biography

Staniszewski was introduced into the martial arts at the age of 5, studying various styles of karate, and Tae Kwon Do under 1988 Olympic coach Y.H. Park. An East Meadow High School wrestling team captain under Hall of Famer John Hamilton, Staniszewski went on to wrestle for Cortland State under Olympic alternate Gene Neiman. While in college he discovered the Olympic sport of judo. In 1996, Staniszewski was introduced to the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by childhood friend UFC veteran Matt Serra. Finding them to be perfect complements to each other, Staniszewski trained and competed in both disciplines for almost two decades. His unique style has been influenced by legendary martial artists and friends: Tom Dalvano, John Lucas (World Masters Judo Champion), UFC veteran Matt Serra, and the legendary coral belt Joe Moreira. Staniszewski has earned State,^[3] National, Pan American and World Championships.^[4][5]

Judo

• Rank: Yodan (Black Belt 4th degree).^[6][7][8][9]

• Certifications: USA Judo,^[10] United States Judo Federation,^[11] Kodokan;^[12] International Judo Federation.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

• Rank: Black Belt (2nd Degree) under the legendary 8th Degree Coral Belt Joe Moreira and 9th Degree Red Belt Grandmaster Francisco Mansor (Direct student of Helio Gracie).
• Certifications: IBJJF, USBJJF, USJBJJ.^{[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]}

Notable Accomplishments

• First athlete to win Pan American Championships in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.^{[22][23][24][25]}
• Captain of Team USA at the 2009 World Judo Masters Championships. Led the US to a bronze medal (tied with Russia).^[26]
• The only US athlete to medal in both the Elite and Masters divisions at the 2009 USA Judo Nationals and World Team Trials.
• Won both the Elite and Masters divisions at the 2009 East Coast Championships.^[27]
• USA Judo's Most Outstanding Masters Athlete for 2010.
• Most notable technique: sode guruma jime (Ezekiel choke). In 2009, Staniszewski used an ezekiel to defeat Jim Hannan in the finals of the Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championships; he defeated then undefeated submission grappler Steve Quinn in a charity Heavyweight Championship bout at Fight Club #4; and he defeated Nicholas Gohn by Ezekiel to advance to the medal round at the 2009 USA Judo National Championships and World Team Trials. In 2012, he defeated USA Judo's Ethan Stanley by sode guruma jime at the International Starrett Cup .
• On Oct. 2, 2009, Staniszewski competed in a charity main event against undefeated 300 lb (140 kg) fighter Steve Quinn.^[28] Staniszewski won by submission^[29] and raised thousands of dollars for martial arts based charities including: The Blind Judo Foundation, Rusty Kanokogi Memorial Fund, Jeff R. Lorio Memorial Scholarship Fund.^[30]

Career highlights

References