08/25/2026
“Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are not fundamentally different martial arts. They are different sporting expressions of the same grappling lineage. Judo’s rules selected for throwing and rapid transitions; BJJ’s rules selected for prolonged groundwork and submission development. The sports diverged more than the underlying art did.”
make an ig graphic stating this. and make it by me
Dr. Rhadi Ferguson
2004 Olympian
Shichidan - Judo
5th Degree Black Belt - BJJ
08/22/2026
🌎 TOP 7 IN THE WORLD. 🇺🇸🥋
Rhadi Ferguson Jr. finishes 7th at the 2026 Cadet World Judo Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
What a difference a year makes.
In 2025, Rhadi’s Cadet World Championship ended in the opening round.
In 2026, she returned to the world stage, defeated a tough opponent from Ukraine, battled competitors representing Russia and Chinese Taipei, and walked away with a 7th-place finish in the world.
That is PROGRESS.
From a first-round exit to TOP 7 IN THE WORLD in twelve months.
This result is about more than a placement. It represents another year of training, international competition, technical development, maturity, sacrifice, and learning how to compete against the best young judoka on the planet.
And nobody reaches this level alone.
Rhadi’s development has been supported by an outstanding coaching team:
🥋 Dr. Rhadi Ferguson — 2004 U.S. Olympian
🥋 Dr. Chris Round
🥋 Sensei Heidi Holz
Each has played an important role in her preparation and continued development.
As her father and coach, I could not be prouder of the progress.
Last year, she experienced what the World Championships felt like.
This year, she proved she belongs there.
We celebrate the accomplishment, appreciate everyone who has contributed to the journey, and then we get back to work.
Because the most exciting part isn’t simply where she finished.
It’s where she’s headed.
🇺🇸 RHADI FERGUSON JR.
🌎 2026 CADET WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS — 7TH PLACE
🥋 +70 KG
📍 Guayaquil, Ecuador
TAMPA FLORIDA JUDO
08/13/2026
There is a difference between raising a child who obeys you and raising a child who can eventually govern herself.
That distinction matters.
The goal of parental authority is not permanent control. The goal is to build the judgment, discipline, competence, and self-command that eventually make your control unnecessary.
That does not happen by simply handing a child autonomy.
It happens through graduated responsibility.
You make decisions she is not yet equipped to make.
You establish boundaries she does not yet understand.
You require commitments she may not yet appreciate.
Then, as her capacity grows, you deliberately transfer more of that authority to her.
Piece by piece.
The destination is not obedience.
The destination is self-governance.
I exercise authority now precisely so that she can exercise it over herself later.
That is parental stewardship.
— Ferguson
08/12/2026
“Whatever else your family does in these summers, read. Every day. Out loud when they are small, alongside them when they are older, and in front of them always, because a child who never sees an adult read will conclude that reading is a thing done to children.” - Ferguson (excerpt from new and upcoming book )
