Instructors
Tim Vitek, Owner and Head Instructor
Tim Vitek has been practicing Judo and the grappling arts for over 25 years and holds the rank of Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) in Judo. He completed the Renjuku Academy through the Judo Black Belt Association (JBBA), an advanced instructor development program emphasizing technical precision and structured pedagogy. He is also a certified regional coach under USA Judo.
In addition to Judo, Tim holds the rank of Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, with lineage tracing back to the Boland family of Midwest Judo and Jujitsu.
His teaching philosophy centers on a method called Sequential Learning — a clear, step-by-step progression that builds strong fundamentals before advancing to more complex techniques. This structured approach develops confidence, safety, and long-term mastery for both children and adults.
Tim has a deep passion for working with students of all abilities, including those with special needs, believing that Judo should be accessible, structured, and encouraging for everyone.
Following the closure of Midwest Judo in 2025, he founded Sequence Judo — a community-focused program built on service, character development, and helping people grow both on and off the mat.
Frank Kristoff, Instructor
Frank Kristoff has been practicing Judo for over 20 years and currently holds the rank of Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt). Frank is a member of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), the Judo Black Belt Association (JBBA), and the United States Judo Association (USJA). He is also a graduate of the Renjuku Academy Judo Education and Leadership program through the JBBA that encompasses the study of kinesiology, kata, coach education, judo history, judo philosophy and judo terminology.
Frank believes that Judo should be accessible to everyone regardless of age and physical limitations, and that whether a student is pursuing a path to competition, or is simply looking for a recreational outlet, Judo can address all these needs.
In addition to his Judo training and teaching, Frank holds the rank of Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. Frank’s lineage stems from the Boland family of Midwest Judo and Jujitsu.
He is also a student of Brazilian Jujitsu, and teaches Judo for BJJ classes at a local BJJ club.
Dan Kutschke, Instructor
Dan holds the rank of Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) in Judo and is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu. Dan competes regularly in regional BJJ tournaments and is a member of the Amatuer Athletic Union (AAU) and Judo Black Belt Association (JBBA).
Instructor Certifications:
All of our Instructors are required to maintain certifications in CPR, SafeSport and the CDC’s Heads Up Concussion Training.