"We fight to fight." Dustin Thomas
Mike Thomas, Head Coach DLT Welcome Mat
Mike really does believe in Welcome Mat's motto. Success is an on-going process and Mike does his best to live by that motto. By training on the mat at least 4 times each week at four different Welcome Mat facilities in the Kansas City area, studying a variety of books, magazine and Internet sites and actively coaching at
his DLT Welcome Mat, Mike lives the club motto.
Mike started judo at the age of 5 under the coaching of Steve Scott at Welcome Mat in Kansas City North. His involvement in judo has been a lifetime pursuit, but he also was an accomplished boxer and never missed a chance to take a fight when offered.
As an athlete in judo, Mike won the 1993 USJA National Judo Championship, and has been the Missouri State and Kansas State Judo Champion several times. He's also won the Missouri Valley AAU Judo Championship several times. Additionally, he's also competed internationally, recently winning the gold medal at the Judo Open in Canada.
Mike's credentials as a coach are the following; 3rd Grade Black Belt in both Judo and Shingitai Jujitsu. Accredited Shingitai Jujitsu Instructor and Accredited Judo Coach. Mike founded the DLT Welcome Mat in 2008, and serves as the Head Coach.
He's attended numerous coaching clinics for both judo and jujitsu as well as technical clinics to do everything possible to learn the most effective skills and how to teach them.
Mike is married and has three sons, with everyone in the family active in judo. Judo and jujitsu are very much part of the Thomas household and everyone pitches in to do everything possible to make DLT Welcome Mat a real success. Mike's top three loves in his life are:
1-His family.
2-Helping his family be the best they can be (in life as well as in judo).
3-Judo!
Brad Shelton, Assistant Coach DLT Welcome Mat
Brad and Mike are completely on the same page when it comes to ethics, training standards, and dedication to Judo.
Brad is educated in Judo, Jujitsu, Welcome Mat, DLT, we fight 2 fight, weight lifting, dieting and being a champion!
Brad as well believes in Welcome Mat's motto. Success is an on-going process and he too proves this by training on the mat at least 3 times each week at DLT Welcome Mat’s facilities in Blue Springs. Brad is a student of the art and is constantly studying a variety of books, magazines and internet sites and actively assisting the success of DLT and their athletes by helping coach kids classes as well as being a “fill in” coach for Mike.
Brad started judo a number of years ago in a recreational, family class and quickly moved to DLT. He began training under the coaching of Mike Thomas at DLT Welcome Mat for an aggressive, competitive approach. His involvement in judo has grown in to a full time dedication. He once told me “I got into Judo to help me be better in the gym. I now go to the gym to be better at Judo.” Brad has made helping the success of DLT a lifestyle. He is on a consistent pursuit to have as much knowledge and as many fights as possible. Brad has also become a great athlete in the world of Jujitsu.
As an athlete in judo, Brad has won the AAU National Freestyle Judo Championship, He placed second in the AAU Grand National Judo Championships as well as the Missouri State Judo Championships. He's also placed and won in the local and regional arenas several times. He was recently named 1st and 2nd Seat on the AAU Judo All American Team. Additionally, he's also competed internationally, recently placing second in the Pan America Masters in Boston and has been invited to compete in the IJF Worlds in 2010.
Mike takes the title coach very seriously and does not just issue that to anyone. However, with that being said Mike feels that Brad brings a different element to the club that will only help the athletes be better fighters
Brad is married and has a son, with everyone in the family active in judo. Each of them are national medal holders as well. Judo and jujitsu are very much part of Brad Shelton’s make up.
Coach Mike throwing his partner with an Harai Goshi, at the 2009 AAU Grand Nationals Technique Tournament.
Coaching our young athletes during tournaments.
Brad competing in the Pan-Am Masters.
