High Noon becomes the Number 2 club in the United States for 2025
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA — Martial Arts for Social Transformation, Equity and Rights is proud to announce that the team of our Northern Virginia partner gym, High Noon Judo, has been recognized by USA Judo among the Best All Around Clubs. Just one medal shy of first place, the High Noon Judo team took second Best All Around. Led by Sensei Christopher Round, has had a phenomenal showing in its short period of existence.
The High Noon team at the 2025 Presidents Cup where they accepted their banner for winning the 2025 Senior National Championships
High Noon Judo began in 2022 and in two short years won the USA Judo Senior National Title in 2024. In an impressive fashion, the young team would come back in 2025 and repeat the same victory. Under Sensei Round’s creative and dedicated coaching, the team has been able to see victories and achievements at all levels of judo competition. The team had the highest points total across Senior Nationals, Youth Nationals, the President’s Cup, and the Junior Olympics.
MASTERs athletes guided by Sensei Round and Sensei Rhadi Ferguson of Tampa Judo have significantly contributed to the wider success of High Noon Judo. Athlete fellows Chloe Williams, Rufus Ferguson, and Rhadi Ferguson Jr were all on the US Junior World Team, the greatest number of members from a single team. Additionally, the team had members on World and Pan Am teams from Cadets and Juniors, bringing home bronze at the Cadet Pan Ams. On the International Judo Federation side, judoka Chloe Williams had a successful year competing at Junior and Cadet.
The success of High Noon Judo is not only the work of the higher ranking, elite level athletes, but a holistic one. This is a culmination of matches and medals won by everyone. The team has brought home medals from intermediate, juvenile, cadet, IJF junior, adult novice, brown belt, senior black belt, and veteran levels. The team continues to prove that they can succeed regardless of age group or venue thanks to a game group of judoka ready to travel, show up, and give their best on the mat.
The team thanks all of its supporters, coaches, and colleagues in the grappling space. High Noon Judo in cooperation with MASTERs anticipates another successful showing on the local, regional, national, and international stages in 2026, while elite MASTERs athletes look to 2028 and the road to the Olympics.
For media inquiries regarding MASTERs or High Noon Judo, please contact:
Dr. Christopher Round
Executive Director, MASTERs
roundce@martialartsforsocialgood.org
martialartsforsocialgood.org
