Ari started wrestling in the second grade. The majority of his early wrestling career was spent in California, Virginia, and Texas. When his father was transferred to Texas his senior year in high school Ari had to start with a new team. He managed to work his way to team captain, an undefeated year 31-0, 22 fall, and won the State Championship, 132#. Ari's achievements in wrestling opened the door to college wrestling at the University of Oklahoma.

Ari was introduced to the world of judo by a high school wrestling coach who encouraged the team to practice and compete in judo during the offseason. This introduction led to a passion for all grappling arts. This passion combined with a special talent for judo led him to years of competition and coaching. Ari has trained with and competed for the best coaches in the country, including more than a decade under the tutelage of two time Olympian and Olympic coach, Sensei Patrick Burris. His coaching style has been shaped by those years in college wrestling and especially by his years training under Sensei Burris at USA Stars Training Center in Moore, Oklahoma. Ari is a Godan (5th degree) and holds an international coaching license through USA Judo, the governing body for Olympic judo in the USA. Ari’s continued relationship with Sensei Burris has allowed us to bring you USA Stars East Judo, the east coast affiliate of USA Stars Training Center in Moore, Oklahoma.

 

• 1983 Texas High School State Champion

• 1983-1987 Wrestler for the University of Oklahoma

• 1997 Sambo National Champion

• 1997 Sambo Pan American Champion

• 1997- 2001 Ranked on the Judo National Elite Point Roster

• 2016 Assistant Coach, USA Judo Cadet & IJF Jr. Pan American  Team, Cordoba, Argentina

• 2017 Assistant Coach, Team USA Women's team, Ladies Belgian Open, Arlon, Belgium

• ​2017 U13, U15 Pan American Team Head Coach, Lima, Peru

• 2018 U13, U15 Pan American Co-Head Coach, Guayaquil,   Ecuador

• USA Judo International Gold Level Coach Certification

• IJF Level 2 Coach Certification

• ​2019 Jr. World Team Co-Head Coach, Marrakesh, Morocco 

• USA Judo Board of Directors, Coach Director, 2022-present

 

Ari competed and medaled in several national level Judo tournaments and represented the United States in many international Judo tournaments.

“ I continue to grow and learn from all of my Senseis’ coaches and teammates. My first Sensei Dr. Joel  Holloway, Shichidan. My Sensei, coach, and mentor Judo Olympian Patrick Burris, Hachidan (eighth degree), my coaches and teammates, Judo World Team member and World Sambo Champion Dr. Ron Tripp, Judo World Team member Amy Ehlenfeldt, and Judo National Champion, Kristi Burris. "