Global JiuJitsu Pioneer | KoKoDo JuJutsu Hanshi | BJJ Black Belt | Author | Educator

Few martial artists embody the fusion of ancient tradition and modern combat like Michael.

With a journey that began in the early 1980s on school wrestling mats, Michael has spent over four decades mastering the grappling arts. From freestyle wrestling to Judo and Aikido, his path eventually led him to the rare and sophisticated system of Hakkoryu JuJutsu, and later to the elite world of KoKoDo JuJutsu—an art renowned for its precision, grace, and healing wisdom.

In 1995, Michael earned his black belt in Japanese JuJitsu and Goshin-jutsu. But this was just the beginning.

Under the guidance of two legendary teachers—Sensei Jim Fry and Menkyo Kaiden Shihan Sandai Kichu Michael J. LaMonica—Michael was personally introduced to Irie Soke, the Head of the global KoKoDo Organization and a master of both martial and healing arts. By 2000, he was making regular pilgrimages to Japan to study directly under Irie Soke himself.

A Global Authority in KoKoDo JuJutsu

Michael’s dedication has earned him recognition at the highest levels. Today, he is a Director of KoKoDo, and one of only two people in the world to hold the rank of 8th-degree black belt and the title of Hanshi Menkyo Kaiden Shihan KoGyoku.

He also holds the historic distinction of being the first Westerner to receive the Hombu Jikimon Shinan Yaku teaching license in Kappo Shiatsu—a revered Japanese healing art closely guarded within the KoKoDo system.

A published authority, Michael has written four foundational books on KoKoDo—three covering the dan ranks of JuJutsu and one devoted to Kappo Shiatsu, making this ancient knowledge accessible to practitioners around the world.

Bridging Tradition and Modern Combatives

Michael’s expertise extends beyond traditional arts. As a professional in protective services, he developed real-world defensive skills and discovered the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). After training with Royce Gracie in a law enforcement seminar, his BJJ journey became a serious pursuit.

In 2013, Michael introduced a full BJJ program at his Sadohana Academy, and in 2014 became an official Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Affiliate. On November 26, 2022, he was promoted to black belt in BJJ by Professors Rodrigo Pagani and Dean Toews at the Curucuruland BJJ Winter Camp.

Today, he is the head instructor at Curucuruland BJJ Vancouver, proudly representing Team Six Blades in the 604.

Teaching, Traveling, and Inspiring the Next Generation

Whether he’s teaching a packed seminar overseas or guiding students in a private session at home, Michael’s mission remains the same: to pass on the powerful legacy of KoKoDo JuJutsu and BJJ to the next generation.

Together with his wife and family, he continues to run group classes, private training, international seminars, and healing workshops—sharing the wisdom, skill, and spirit of the martial arts with students worldwide.

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