Gustin inducted into Wisconsin Judo Hall of Fame

Metro Wire Staff

A Stevens Point man has been inducted into the Wisconsin Judo Hall of Fame.

The induction took place at a ceremony in Milwaukee on Jan. 27. Past inductees include Lynn Roethke, silver medalist of the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and Ron Hansen, Gustin’s first instructor, and Edwin Happ, the founder of the Stevens Point Judo Club.

Gustin has been active in judo for 55 years, and is now a 7th degree black belt. He began his study at the Racine YMCA under the instructor of his father Ray, and Hansen. After receiving his bachelors and masters degrees in Water Management and Forest Recreation in 1972, Gustin continued his judo studies, eventually taking over instruction of the Stevens Point Judo Club, along with James Weidner. Both continue teaching to this day.

Gustin is accomplished on the mat in both shiai and kata, also participating at the national level. He currently teaches students at UW-Stevens Point and P.J. Jacobs Jr. High. Gustin also incorporated a guest coach program in 1992, inviting a judo expert from outside the community into his classes.

Gustin also participated in a committee that updated Wisconsin Judo bylaws and articles of incorporation, and helped index and review updates to the United State Judo Association manual. 

“Strive not to be 100 percent better at one thing; only Kayla Harrison (two-time women’s Olympic judo gold medalist) can do that,” Gustin said. “Strive to be one percent better every time you step on the mat.”

Gustin, along with Weidner, sponsor annual judo tournaments in Stevens Point.

Gustin lives in Stevens Point with his wife Mary. 

For more information on the Stevens Point Judo Club, go to stevenspointjudo.com.