Art of Takedowns Judo & Grappling Academy
601 N. Broadway, Ste B, Escondido, CA 92025
About
Art of Takedowns Judo & Grappling Academy offers training in Judo, No-Gi Grappling/Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and no-gi grappling/wrestling. The program also includes no-gi Judo, Kosen Judo (ground techniques), practical self-defense combatives, an Art of Self-Defense fighting system that uses Judo, Muay Thai, Wrestling, and Jujutsu, personal fitness training, competition training, and practical self-defense. Classes are available for kids, teens, adults, hobbyists, and competitors, with beginner, intermediate, and advanced level Judo options and a small-group focus with individualized coaching directly from Sensei Johnny.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Art of Takedowns Judo & Grappling Academy is described as North County’s premier Judo academy and a premier martial arts center, with a state-of-the-art facility that includes an 800 sq ft Judo mat with a cushioned subfloor and a specialized sub-floor built specifically for Judo to minimize the impact of falls and reduce the risk of injury. The academy offers a free trial class, monthly memberships with no long-term contracts required, and family rates. For the first class, comfortable workout clothes are acceptable, the academy provides a loaner gi if needed, and all participants must complete a liability waiver that can be filled out online before training.
The leadership team is led by owner and operator Johnny L. Guerrero, who also serves as head instructor and coach (Sensei Johnny Leon Guerrero). Judo instructors include Morten Lund and Wendy Widdop-Cross, with assistant Judo instructors Jordan Williams and Korey Widdop-Cross, who also assists with children and adaptive classes. Staff credentials include multiple black belts and coaching certifications: Sensei Johnny Leon Guerrero is a 4th-degree black belt in Judo, a 2024 USA Judo National Champion, an IJF Veteran World Competitor, and a certified USA Judo and USJF coach; Morten Lund is a Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt, USJF), an experienced competitor with several hundred sanctioned matches, and a former state champion in Wisconsin; Wendy Widdop-Cross is a Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt, USJF), a National Judo Champion, and a second-generation judo black belt; Jordan Williams is a Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt, USJF) and a certified USA Judo State Level Coach; and Korey Widdop-Cross is a Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt, USA Judo), an Adaptive Judo Coach, and an active competitor.
Art of Takedowns is home to San Diego’s 2024 USA Judo National Champions Abe Matsui and Johnny Guerrero, and Sensei Johnny Leon Guerrero is noted as a 2024 USA Judo National Champion and IJF Veteran World Competitor. The academy’s coaching philosophy focuses on developing athletes in physical, mental, and emotional areas, with an emphasis on technical proficiency, sportsmanship, overall performance, and individual goals. The philosophy highlights the role of sport in self-confidence, resilience, and sense of purpose, and emphasizes respect, accountability, teamwork, student ownership of growth, and a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment on and off the tatami.
Parent and student feedback includes comments that “Sensei Johnny Leon Guerrero is a genuinely rare and special talent in grappling. He's an elite judoka, but has devoted his life to studying and training the main grappling arts together—judo…” (Mike F., 1/26/2025) and that “Sensei Johnny is an amazing teacher and mentor. His class is always detailed with help readily available. AoT is an amazing and welcoming environment to learn Judo.” (Anthony R., 5/30/2025).
Last updated July 8, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Art of Takedowns Judo & Grappling Academy is described as North County’s premier Judo academy and a premier martial arts center, with a state-of-the-art facility that includes an 800 sq ft Judo mat with a cushioned subfloor and a specialized sub-floor built specifically for Judo to minimize the impact of falls and reduce the risk of injury. The academy offers a free trial class, monthly memberships with no long-term contracts required, and family rates. For the first class, comfortable workout clothes are acceptable, the academy provides a loaner gi if needed, and all participants must complete a liability waiver that can be filled out online before training.
The leadership team is led by owner and operator Johnny L. Guerrero, who also serves as head instructor and coach (Sensei Johnny Leon Guerrero). Judo instructors include Morten Lund and Wendy Widdop-Cross, with assistant Judo instructors Jordan Williams and Korey Widdop-Cross, who also assists with children and adaptive classes. Staff credentials include multiple black belts and coaching certifications: Sensei Johnny Leon Guerrero is a 4th-degree black belt in Judo, a 2024 USA Judo National Champion, an IJF Veteran World Competitor, and a certified USA Judo and USJF coach; Morten Lund is a Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt, USJF), an experienced competitor with several hundred sanctioned matches, and a former state champion in Wisconsin; Wendy Widdop-Cross is a Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt, USJF), a National Judo Champion, and a second-generation judo black belt; Jordan Williams is a Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt, USJF) and a certified USA Judo State Level Coach; and Korey Widdop-Cross is a Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt, USA Judo), an Adaptive Judo Coach, and an active competitor.
Art of Takedowns is home to San Diego’s 2024 USA Judo National Champions Abe Matsui and Johnny Guerrero, and Sensei Johnny Leon Guerrero is noted as a 2024 USA Judo National Champion and IJF Veteran World Competitor. The academy’s coaching philosophy focuses on developing athletes in physical, mental, and emotional areas, with an emphasis on technical proficiency, sportsmanship, overall performance, and individual goals. The philosophy highlights the role of sport in self-confidence, resilience, and sense of purpose, and emphasizes respect, accountability, teamwork, student ownership of growth, and a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment on and off the tatami.
Parent and student feedback includes comments that “Sensei Johnny Leon Guerrero is a genuinely rare and special talent in grappling. He's an elite judoka, but has devoted his life to studying and training the main grappling arts together—judo…” (Mike F., 1/26/2025) and that “Sensei Johnny is an amazing teacher and mentor. His class is always detailed with help readily available. AoT is an amazing and welcoming environment to learn Judo.” (Anthony R., 5/30/2025).
Last updated July 8, 2026.
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