Masters
Who we support
MASTERs develops high-potential judo athletes at the cadet and junior levels. It also supports proven senior athletes who are working toward representing the United States at the Olympic Games. Our main focus is producing Olympic judo athletes, and we prioritize athletes from lower-income backgrounds. We also give grants to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes from low-income households and from communities that are underrepresented in the sport. We’re based in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area and support athletes nationwide.
Support the Athletes
What Your Donation Funds
Travel and lodging for competitions, including international events for top performers
Coaching and mentoring from MASTERs coaches, including a 2004 Olympian as high-performance advisor
Scouting and match statistics for every fellow
Training camps with subsidized travel
Entry fees and equipment
Mental-performance support
Off-the-mat advising, which has helped fellows win college scholarships, including wrestling scholarships
Training grants for proven US athletes, including 2024 Olympian John Jayne
Our Athletes
Our Track Record
MASTERs fellows have earned places on US World Teams:
Chloe Williams, Rhadi Ferguson Jr and Rufus Ferguson
Chloe Williams and Rhadi Ferguson Jr
Our athletes have also won IJF World Tour medals and medaled at Senior Nationals and the US Open. Off the mat, fellows have earned college scholarships, including in wrestling.
Featured Story
Chloe Williams, On the Mat and Beyond
Chloe Williams, a MASTERs athlete fellow who competes at 70kg, has represented the United States on both the Cadet and Junior World Teams. In November 2025 in Montreal, at 17, she won a medal in all three divisions she entered at 70kg:
Gold at the Cadet Pan American Cup
Bronze at the Junior Pan American Cup
Bronze at the Senior Pan American Open, an IJF World Tour event, against adult competitors
MASTERs grants helped cover her training and competition costs along the way. In August 2026 she spent two weeks training in Japan with fellow MASTERs athletes. Her coaches also worked with her off the mat. Through MASTERs advising, Chloe earned a wrestling scholarship to Delaware State University, a Division I program, so she can build her future while she keeps chasing her Olympic goals.
Source for the results: USA Judo
Athlete Achievements
More Results
Marley Garland won gold at 63kg, opening with an 11-second ippon.
bronze at the IJF San Salvador Pan American Open.
11 fellows trained for about two weeks at Shukutoku University, Waseda University, Shutoku High School and with the JR corporate team.
received a competition grant through our accessibility program and took silver in Cadet Novice 81kg at the US Open.
Justin Mata took silver at the US Open in both the Junior and Senior divisions. Maddie Solis took silver at Senior Nationals. Rhadi Ferguson Jr won four divisions at Senior Nationals.
three straight Senior National team titles, #2 club in the US for 2025, and the first DC club to win a national championship.
How Funds Are Used
Financial Transparency
FY24, August 2023 to August 2024
Total Income
Total income was $67,729, made up of $17,218 in cash gifts, $42,823 in donated goods and services (memberships, equipment) and $7,688 from events.
Spending
Athlete support
46.5%
Events
39.1%
Operations
11.5%
Instructor training
2.9%
FY25 figures will be posted once our Form 990 is filed.
Make an Impact
Support the Next Generation of Athletes
MASTERs (Martial Arts for Social Transformation, Equity and Rights) is a 501(c)(3) public charity, EIN 93-2846996. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. No goods or services are provided in exchange for your gift unless noted on your receipt. A financial statement is available from the State Office of Consumer Affairs in the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218.