# Worldwide Martial Arts Association (WWMAA)

> Global non-profit martial arts organization founded in 1995 by O-Sensei Philip S. Porter, the Father of American Judo. WWMAA unifies all martial arts disciplines under one association, providing certification, rank promotions, instructor credentialing, school accreditation, and a global community of 9,000+ members.

## Services
- Belt rank certification from Rokyu (6th kyu) through Judan (10th Dan)
- Instructor credential program with 5 levels (I1 Assistant through I5 Senior Examiner)
- School and dojo accreditation (Associate, WWMAA School, Elite tiers)
- Tournament sanctioning and event hosting
- Lineage documentation and printable certificates
- Membership tiers: Free ($0), Basic ($25/year), Premium ($75/year), Lifetime ($500 one-time)
- Background check compliance tracking
- Honorific title nominations and board voting

## Martial Arts Supported
Judo, Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Taekwondo, Aikido, Kendo, Muay Thai, Self-Defense, and all martial arts disciplines worldwide.

## Membership
- Free ($0/year): Member profile, community directory access
- Basic ($25/year): Training resources, event notifications
- Premium ($75/year): Unlimited tournament entries, exclusive training materials, video tutorials, instructor networking
- Lifetime ($500 one-time): All Premium benefits permanently, priority support, mentorship

## Belt Ranking System
16 rank levels with Time-in-Grade (TIG) requirements:
- Kyu ranks: Rokyu (0.5yr TIG), Gokyu (0.5yr), Yonkyu (0.75yr), Sankyu (0.75yr), Nikkyu (0.75yr), Ikkyu (0.75yr)
- Dan ranks: Shodan (1yr), Nidan (2yr), Sandan (3yr), Yodan (4yr), Godan (5yr), Rokudan (6yr), Shichidan (7yr), Hachidan (8yr), Kudan (9yr), Judan (10yr)
- Junior ranks: half the senior TIG, capped below Shodan

## Instructor Credentials
- I1 Assistant Instructor: Shodan, 100 teaching hours
- I2 Associate Instructor: Nidan, 300 hours
- I3 Instructor: Sandan, 600 hours
- I4 Instructor Examiner: Yondan, 1,000 hours (can examine I1-I3)
- I5 Senior Instructor Examiner: Godan, 2,000 hours (lifetime credential)

## School Categories
- V (Associate): Affiliated schools supporting WWMAA mission
- W (WWMAA School): Fully recognized, meeting WWMAA standards
- E (Elite School): Schools with WWMAA-certified instructors, highest quality standard

## Key People
- President: Dr. Michael Makoid
- Vice President: Dr. S. Omar Ahmad (9th Dan Judo/Jujitsu, Ph.D. Neuroscientist)
- Secretary: Louise Marsh
- Founder: Philip S. Porter (1924-2011), 10th Dan Judo, Father of American Judo

## Platform Data
- 9,976 registered members
- 76 accredited schools and dojos
- 42 upcoming events
- 20 blog articles
- 4,212+ training resource vectors in search

## Links
- Website: https://wwmaa.ainative.studio
- Membership: https://wwmaa.ainative.studio/membership
- Schools Directory: https://wwmaa.ainative.studio/schools
- Events: https://wwmaa.ainative.studio/events
- Blog: https://wwmaa.ainative.studio/blog
- Programs: https://wwmaa.ainative.studio/programs
- Instructor Certification: https://wwmaa.ainative.studio/certification/instructor
- Rank Certification: https://wwmaa.ainative.studio/certification/ranks
- School Accreditation: https://wwmaa.ainative.studio/certification/schools
- API: https://athletic-curiosity-production.up.railway.app/api