Sensei Clifford R Wolff July 1, 1929-August 21, 2015

Two days ago the Judo world lost a quiet giant: Sensei Clifford R. Wolff, age 86. Quiet? He loved to talk, but what he said was worth listening to. He was against ‘kuchi waza’ (mouth techniques), or running off at the mouth, and could back up what he said. A giant because he began Judo training in 1943, at one time headed the largest USJA club in the nation, was a published author, taught/mentored/friended thousands of martial artists over his 72 year martial arts career.

Sensei Wolff was a proponent of ‘shibumi’, simple elegance. An excellent example of this was that in a martial arts world where people crave to be called ‘master’, ‘grandmaster’, ‘soke’, 11th degree black belt, etc. Wolff was simply called ‘Sensei’, ranked 3rd Dan at the Kodokan and 4th Dan with the USJA until 2014. On May 9, 2013 an informal testimonial dinner was held to celebrate his 70th anniversary in the martial arts. ‘Informal’ was Sensei Wolff’s style. Months before the dinner several of us martial artists started the ball rolling to get Sensei Wolff’s 5th Dan with the USJA. It took about a year, but he was awarded Go Dan in 2014. The paperwork and financial responsibilities were taken on by us, as he never cared about rank and would never have put in for promotion himself.

Sensei Clifford R. Wolff will be sorely missed in the martial arts world. Rest in Peace.

-Steve Gottwirt, USJA Patron LM #3070