1st Place, US National Champion
60-65 Masters Division
6th Degree Black Belt

Imagine a 65 year old who not only teaches, but takes each and every bump with his students and still competes on an international level! Sensei Jack Krystek has been playing Judo for over 50 years, and the former Dutch Marine champion successfully returned to competition several years ago, routinely beating men as many as 40 years younger.

By Julio Rivera

The sport of Judo is speed and power personified. Simply practicing the throws,chokes and joint locks that make up the ever evolving techniques can be tough on even the youngest competitors.

Jack has since won the US nationals and a bronze medal (60-65 Masters Division) at the World Championships. The former professional boxer and marathoner shows no signs of slowing down. "I never say I can't do things I could do when I was twenty," says the 6th degree black belt. "I may not be as fast as I used to be, but you won't find a twenty year old that works harder."

It's that tough mental outlook that has helped preserve the never say die attitude Krystek had as a scrappy young boy in a tough coal mining town in Southern Holland. He decided to study Judo after witnessing his older brother Albert (now one of the best jiu-jitsu instructors in the world) get beaten up as a child. Seeing Judo in a popular comic book convinced 9 year old Jack it was the way for a smaller man to beat a larger opponent.

At age twelve, Jack played on his town's men's team, refusing to join the other kids. "If I had to play with the kids, I would have quit," he says. He once threw a grown man twice his size off a stage during an exhibition, winning the crowd, and giving young Jack the identity he'd been searching for.

Krystek enlisted in the Dutch Marine Corps at age sixteen. He spent his 18th birthday in the jungles of New Guinea, starting a Judo Club and becoming Dutch Marine and Navy Champion before being discharged. Soon after leaving the Marine Corps, Krystek headed for the U.S. He continued to compete in local Judo competitions while working for Pan American Airlines before a friend suggested he start a Judo School.

In 2002, after some of his students began competing, Sensei Jack decided to give competition another try, though he hadn't entered a tournament in 30 years. He only had one fear heading in: "I didn't want to disappoint my students," he says.

Krystek certainly didn't disappoint, winning the "Masters Over 40" division (at age 63) at the Liberty Bell Championship. He went on to place third in the World Championship, before winning first place at the Masters Nationals in 2003. Jack is unique because it used to be that your judo career was over in your forties. Seeing Jack give 110% and compete at 65 inspires students as well as competitors.

"If I see something works, I'm not afraid to incorporate it," says Jack. This applies to fighting techniques as well as the Advantig Team ProSport system Jack has added to his physical and mental training regimen. At 65 years of age with a tough round the clock teaching schedule, Jack relies on the ProSport System to help him end the day without fatigue. Since trying the program in Fall 2004, Jack is a true believer. At the F.I.G.H.T. certification program Jack attended in Connecticut, participants were easily 30 years his junior. Despite the 3 decade age gap, Jack was named the top graduate of the Hagana F.I.G.H.T. certfiication program. The instructor marveled at Jack’s endurance and stamina, while the younger competitors were huffing & puffing.

"I truly believe that the ProSport System gives my body the high quality nutritional supplementation that helps me continue to perform at my best. I'll keep going as long as I can breathe," he says. "I never want to say, I used to do this or that. As long as I'm healthy, I can."

Jack is currently 66 and getting better each year.