Sen. Reinaldo Novoa Jr. (a.k.a. Robbie)
Sensei Robbie was first introduced to Kodokan Judo in 1986 at Butokukai Judo Ryu at 94 Friar Drive, Phase II Central, Bon Air Gardens, Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago under the tutelage of Sensei Richard Vernette.
For seven years under his guidance Sensei Robbie was afforded a solid judo foundation which served him well in forging a very fruitful competition career. After grading for his black belt in 2000 under Sensei Noel Le Hecho, then 6th Dan, a thirst for refined knowledge was awakened and Sensei Robbie began his research.
In 2004 Sensei Founded Muga Mushin Judo School with the aim of firstly preserving the essence of judo while still affording judoka the option to aspire to their Olympic dreams. Also in 2004 he was selected to attend a 6 month International Trainers Course (ITK) in Judo at Leipzig University in Germany where he studied Judo, Olympic Judo, sport psychology, sport science, sport pedagogy, sport medicine and combat sports theory.
It was here that Sensei Robbie was introduced to the Kawaeshi categorization of nage waza, a principle centered approach to Judo and was able to train at one of the Olympic training centers in Germany.
Sensei Robbie adopts a principle centered approach to teaching judo and firmly believes that teaching judoka a technique only gives them one option. However, teaching them a principle opens their minds to unlimited possibilities.
Sensei’s Judo History Timeline
1980’s – 1990’s
Born: October, 25 1980
- 1986 Started Practising Kodokan Judo under Sensei Richard Vernette at Butokukai Judo Ryu at 94 Friar Drive, Phase II Central, Bon Air Gardens~ Arouca.
- June 14th 1987 – Graded Yellow Belt.
- December 6th 1987 – National Judo Championships – 3rd (Bronze Medal.)
- May 27th 1988 – Graded Orange Belt.
- November 6th 1988 – Graded Green Belt.
- October 29th 1989 – National Judo Championships – 1st (Gold Medal)
- April 14th 1990 – Ne-Waza Competition 1st (Gold Medal)
- 1991 – Did not compete – “Common Entrance Exam”
- November 7th 1992 – National Championships Weight Category – 1st (Gold Medal.)
- November 7th 1992 – National Championships – Open Category – 1st (Gold Medal.)
- April 16th 1994 National Championships -1st (Gold Medal.)
- June 20th 1994 – International Olympic Tournament – 1st Place – (Mug) (Also executed the “Most Spectacular Throw” of the Tournament, Morote Seoinage).
- August 1994 – Due to close of Butokukai Judo Ryu started Training under Sensei Robert Rollock at the Olympic Martial Arts Centre, 22 Belle Smythe Street Woodbrook, Port of Spain.
- October 1st 1994 2nd Grand Tournament – 1st (Gold Medal) (Also awarded for “Outstanding Skills Trophy”)
- October 23rd 1994 – Barbados Independence Tournament – 2nd (Trophy).
- December 17th 1994 Graded Blue Belt
- June 10th 1995 – National championships – 1st (Gold Medal).
- July 15th 1995 International Tournament 1st (Trophy).
- July 15th 1995 – International Tournament – Team Fighting – 1st (Gold Medal),
- December 2nd 1995 – Barbados Independence Tournament – 3rd (Trophy).
- June 8th 1996 – National Tournament – No one else in weight category Competed in Senior Category – 3rd (Trophy).
- 1997 – Did not compete because of CXC Exams.
- November 21st 1998 – National Championships – Seniors 65Kgs – 2nd (Trophy)
- December 5th 1998 – Barbados Independence Tournament – 4th (Bronze Medal)
- January 29th 1999 Secondary Schools boys under 19 Tournament – 1st (Gold Medal)
- March 26th 1999 – Secondary Schools boys under 19 Tournament 2nd (Red Ribbon)
- March 26th 1999 – Secondary Schools boys open Category – 1st (Blue Ribbon).
- 1999 – Graded Brown Belt.
- June 6th 1999 – Secondary Schools boys under 19 Tournament – 2nd (No Award)
- June 6th 1999 – Secondary Schools boys Open Category – 1st (Gold Medal)
- August 7th 1999 – Bishops Anstey Tournament – Open Category – 1st (No Award).
- September 19th 1999- 3rd Central America and Caribbean Championships Santo Domingo Under 60Kgs – 5th
- November 27th 1999 – National Championships – 2nd (Trophy)
2000’s to Present
- 2000 – Graded Black Belt
- 2000 – Did not compete due Knee Injury
- May 19th 2001 – National Tournament – under 75kgs Category 1st (Gold Medal)
- 2001 – Started Training under Sensei Linus Brown (Olympic Style Martial Arts)
- May 4th 2002 Inaugural Clyde Thomas Classic Inter Club Tournament – 1st Place (Trophy) (Also awarded for “Most Exemplary Judoka Trophy”)
- November 16th 2002 – National Judo Championships – under 73kgs 1st Place (Trophy) (Also awarded for “Most Outstanding Judoka”)
- 2002 Nominee for Witco Sportsman of the Year Judo
- June 2004 Established Muga-Mushin Judo School at The Martial Arts Institute #213 EMR El Dorado
- 2004 / 2005 – Diploma Judo – University Leipzig Germany
- 2005 – Graded 2nd Degree Black Belt (Germany)
- 2005 – Clyde Thomas Inter Club Tournament – 2nd (Silver Medal)
- 2005 – 3rd Inter Club Tournament – 3rd (Bronze Medal)
- 2007 – 2009 Technical Director Trinidad and Tobago Judo Association
- 2008 – Certificate TTJA Referee
- March 2008 – Hosted Instructor Training Course Certification Level 1 (TTJA)
- April, 2010 – Graded students of Santa Cruz School for the Visually Impaired with their sensei, Sensei Linus Brown
- 2016 Vice President Judo Trinidad and Tobago (JudoTT)
- 2016 – November – Resumed competition participation after over a decade
- November 20th 2016 – National Judo Championships – 1st (Gold Medal)
- Resumed Trinidad and Tobago National Team training
- April 7th 2017 – Bahamas Open – 2nd (Sliver Medal)
[Unfortunately dislocated his ACJ in gold medal match] - 2017 – IJF Certified Judo Manager (Certificate)
- 2018 – IJF Certified Judo Manager (Diploma)
- 2020 – Undergraduate Diploma in Judo Management (Diploma)
- 2020 President Judo Trinidad and Tobago (JudoTT)