Darian Stokes

Sensei Darian Stokes has been studying judo for over 25 years. A 4th degree Black Belt in Judo and a 3rd degree Black Belt in Neko-Ryu Goshin Jitsu, Sensei Stokes has won championships in North Carolina, South Carolina,California, Virginia, Maryland and Nevada. Sensei Stokes is dedicated to building communities by giving guidance to young people.
He is an adoptive father and a foster parent. His experience includes working as a correctional officer, a counselor , and as a Family Support Coordinator and Mentor. Sensei Stokes founded the Bushido Judo School in Durham in 1995 to address the growing concerns about our youth. Sensei Stokes was also featured in the Durham Newspaper "The Herald Sun" for working with students in the "Kids Get Fit " Scholarship program and for one of his national and Judo International Champions over the past 13 years. He has three students in the United States Judo Association Hall of Fame for 2004, 2007 and 2009 as Outstanding Junior male competitors for North Carolina. His student Austin Cook is ranked nationally and is now training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado. One of his students, at war in Iraq, honored him with news that Sensei's teachings saved his life in real life combat. Sensei Stokes won the 2010 "Selfless Sensei" contest ,hosted by Karate Depot, out of approximately 300 entries