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LEARN GYAWN ATIKO JUJUTSU MARTIAL ARTS IN CHICAGO

Contact us today for a $10, 60-minute introductory lesson with one of our instructors.
$10 TRIAL CLASS
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6619 South Halsted Chicago, IL 60621
1000024408

Welcome to Dragon Budo Jujutsu Martial Arts Academy
JUJUTSU MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO IN CHICAGO, IL

At Dragon Budo Jujutsu Martial Arts Academy we are committed to helping our students reach their full potential through the art of Jujutsu (Gyawn Atiko Jujutsu ). We believe anyone can improve their body, mind, and spirit through the power of martial arts. We offer jujutsu, and boxing classes for all ages and experience levels. Our dedicated and professional instructors will guide you every step of the way in a safe, friendly, and controlled environment.
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Deadly Art Of Survival Magazine  Article
Learn More About GM Darryl Starks In This Amazing Article

Deadly Art Of Survival Magazine 15TH Edition Featuring GM Darryl Starks Sr. Get your copy and learn more about this incredible Instructor. 
Get Your Copy

July 2026

Dragon Budo Jujutsu Martial Arts Academy

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1 Jr. Dragon's
5pm–5:45pm
Dragon's
5pm–6pm
2 Jr. Dragon's
6pm–7pm
Dragon's
6pm–7pm
3 Closed
4 Closed Independence Day
5 Closed
6 Jr. Dragon's
5pm–5:45pm
Dragon's
5pm–6pm
7 Jr. Dragon's
6pm–7pm
Dragon's
6pm–7pm
⭐ Mandatory Parent Meeting 6pm
👆 Tap for details
8 Jr. Dragon's
5pm–5:45pm
Dragon's
5pm–6pm
🥋 ICO-USA Meeting
👆 Tap for details
9 Jr. Dragon's
6pm–7pm
Dragon's
6pm–7pm
10 Jr. Dragon's
5pm–5:45pm
Dragon's
5pm–6pm
11 Closed
12 Closed
13 Jr. Dragon's
5pm–5:45pm
Dragon's
5pm–6pm
14 Jr. Dragon's
6pm–7pm
Dragon's
6pm–7pm
15 Jr. Dragon's
5pm–5:45pm
Dragon's
5pm–6pm
16 Jr. Dragon's
6pm–7pm
Dragon's
6pm–7pm
17 Jr. Dragon's
5pm–5:45pm
Dragon's
5pm–6pm
18 Closed
19 Closed
20 Jr. Dragon's
5pm–5:45pm
Dragon's
5pm–6pm
21 Jr. Dragon's
6pm–7pm
Dragon's
6pm–7pm
22 Jr. Dragon's
5pm–5:45pm
Dragon's
5pm–6pm
23 Jr. Dragon's
6pm–7pm
Dragon's
6pm–7pm
24 Jr. Dragon's
5pm–5:45pm
Dragon's
5pm–6pm
25 Closed
26 Closed
27 Jr. Dragon's
5pm–5:45pm
Dragon's
5pm–6pm
28 Jr. Dragon's
6pm–7pm
Dragon's
6pm–7pm
29 Jr. Dragon's
5pm–5:45pm
Dragon's
5pm–6pm
30 Jr. Dragon's
6pm–7pm
Dragon's
6pm–7pm
31 Jr. Dragon's
5pm–5:45pm
Dragon's
5pm–6pm

📌 Tue July 7 @ 6pm: Mandatory Parent Meeting — all parents required to attend.

🥋 Wed July 8: ICO-USA Parents & Students Meeting — only students competing in the World Championships need to attend.

Class Schedule

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🥋 Gyawn Atiko Jujutsu Mon & Wed: Jr. Dragon's 5–5:45pm · Dragon's 5–6pm
Tue, Thu & Fri: Jr. Dragon's 6–7pm · Dragon's 6–7pm
🥊 DBJ Boxing Club Coach Jones
Days & times: Contact us at (708) 628-7668

Gyawn Atiko Jujutsu

The only school in the world where you can learn Gyawn Atiko Jujutsu directly from its creator, Grand Master Darryl L. Starks Sr.

Jr. Dragon's (Children): Mon/Wed/Fri 5:00–5:45pm

Dragon's (Adults): Mon/Wed/Fri 5:00–6:00pm

Jr. Dragon's (Children): Tue/Thu 6:00–7:00pm

Dragon's (Adults): Tue/Thu 6:00–7:00pm

📞 Enroll: (708) 628-7668

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DBJ Boxing Club with Coach Jones

Train like a fighter. Think like a champion. Build real technique, endurance, and mental toughness under Coach Jones.

📞 For class days and times: (708) 628-7668

📋 Program info: (708) 831-1521

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🏅 Progressive Karate Sensei Williams
Days & times: Contact us at (708) 628-7668
🛡️ Senior Self-Defense Tue & Thu: 10:00–11:00am
$50/month

Progressive Karate — Sensei Williams

Traditional and progressive karate training for all levels.

📞 For class days and times: (708) 628-7668

📋 Program info: (708) 831-1521

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Senior Self-Defense

Practical self-defense techniques designed specifically for seniors. Build confidence, awareness, and safety skills.

Tuesday & Thursday: 10:00am–11:00am

Monthly rate: $50/month

📞 Enroll: (708) 628-7668

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🧘 Yoga — DBJ Gym Ms. Catlin
Mon & Wed: 6:00–7:00pm
⚔️ Balintawak Eskrima Grand Master Starks
Limited enrollment — contact us

Yoga — DBJ Gym with Ms. Catlin

Strengthen your body and calm your mind. Yoga classes held at the DBJ Gym location.

Monday & Wednesday: 6:00–7:00pm

📞 Enroll: (708) 628-7668

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Taboada Balintawak Eskrima

Filipino martial art taught by Grand Master Starks. Limited enrollment — only 2–3 new students accepted at a time.

📞 Contact to inquire: (708) 628-7668

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Click one of the class options above to view days and times.

⭐ Mandatory Parent Meeting

Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM

Who must attend: All DBJ parents are required to attend.

Location: Dragon Budo Jujutsu Martial Arts Academy
6619 South Halsted, Chicago, IL 60621

Questions? Call (708) 628-7668

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🥋 ICO-USA Parents & Students Meeting

Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Who must attend: Only students competing in the ICO World Championships need to attend. Parents of competing students are also encouraged.

About ICO: The International Combat Organisation connects DBJ students to the ICO-USA 2026 World Championships in France.

Questions? Call (708) 628-7668

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Yoga at DBJ Gym

Build Strength. Find Balance. Feel Better.

Our yoga program at DBJ Gym is designed for everyone — whether you are brand new to the practice or looking to deepen a routine you have maintained for years. Every session is led in a welcoming, supportive environment where you can move at your own pace and leave feeling better than when you walked in.

 
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DBJ Gym Presents
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6 – 7 PM · Mondays & Wednesdays

THE WORLD IS WATCHING. ARE YOU READY?

1000028477
Witness Team USA’s Final Stand Before the World Championships in France!

Chicago has been named the official host for the ICO-USA Nationwide Training Event, and the energy is electric. This August, the best martial artists in the country descend upon DBJ Martial Arts Academy for an elite, high-intensity training weekend.
Click To Learn More
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🧓🏽 Senior Men & Women Self-Defense Training



Stay active, confident, and empowered with our self-defense program
designed for senior men and women. Learn practical techniques to improve
balance, coordination, and personal safety — all in a supportive, encouraging environment.
CLICK TO LEARN MORE
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🥊  DBJ Boxing Club with Coach Jones



Train with Coach Jones to build endurance, strength, and technique in a motivating environment.
CLICK TO LEARN MORE
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Invest In Our Disciplines

At DBJ Martial Arts Academy, we offer a diverse array of martial arts disciplines to suit every age, skill level, and personal goal. Whether you're looking to build confidence and learn practical self-defense, improve your physical fitness dynamically, or train to compete at the highest levels, we have a class for you. Our internationally accredited instructors are passionate about helping each student on their individual journey. Explore our offerings and find the perfect class to begin your transformation today.

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Get a look at DBJ Martial Arts

WELCOME TO BUDO JUJUTSU MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY

Join Us In The World Of Gyawn Atiko Jujutsu And Release The Warrior Within
Contact Us Today

LEARN THE ART OF COMBAT

Join Us In The World Of Gyawn Atiko Jujutsu And Release The Warrior Within Today.
Contact Us Today
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Gyawn Atiko Jujutsu Martial Arts Lessons for All Ages
OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS
 

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Children's Jujutsu

Gyawn Atiko Jujutsu teaches kids self-defense and important life skills in an environment that is safe, supportive, educational, and fun.
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Adult Jujutsu

Whether you are new to Jujutsu or looking to improve your skills, our adult program is perfect for anyone 18+.
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Self Defense Program

Gyawn Atiko Jujutsu teaches you how to protect yourself against a variety of threats and attacks using kicks and strikes and most importantly your brain.
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Improve Your Body, Mind, and Spirit
JUJUTSU MARTIAL ARTS BENEFITS
 

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STRENGTH

Jujutsu is a great way to build muscle, get stronger, lose weight, and improve your cardiovascular health.
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DISCIPLINE

Our structured classes are designed to help bring out the best in your child by teaching respect and discipline through positive reinforcement.
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CONFIDENCE

Gyawn Atiko Jujutsu can help build confidence and character at any age. You'll develop strength and knowledge to accomplish things you never thought possible.
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SELF-DEFENSE

Learn practical and effective self-defense techniques to protect yourself and your family. These skills can help lower stress, anxiety and get over fears.
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Our Talented Team of Gyawn Atiko Jujutsu Experts
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
 

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Headmaster Grand Master Darryl L. Starks Sr.

CEO / Founder of Dragon Budo Jujutsu Martial Arts Academy

Soke of Gyawn Atiko Jujutsu

Forty-eight-plus years of martial arts training


ICO-USA World Team MMA Head Coach

President / Founder of The Universal Martial
Artist International Association U.M.A.I.A.

2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, President J Biden Jr.

2017 Global Peace Award recipient

2017 United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee

Five-time World Grappling Champion

 International Black Belt certification

Internationally Accredited Martial Arts School Charter

2024 Black Belt Hall of Fame inductee

2023 Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors Inductee

Cover of The Deadly Art of Survival Magazine 15th edition, which is the #1 selling martial arts magazine worldwide on Amazon

Dragon Budo Jujutsu Martial Arts Academy was voted 2024's best Martial Arts School in Chicago by Distinguishedteaching.com
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Endiah M.

Assistant Instructor
INTRODUCING
DBJ PROGRESSIVE KARATE PROGRAM
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Sensei Williams

Martial Arts is more than kicking and punching.

At Dragon Budo Martial Arts Academy, our Progressive Karate Program is about building character, focus, and respect. Develop leadership skills while learning effective self-defense techniques.
Class times 6 pm - 7 pm
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays Only
  • $100 Monthly / $150 One-Time Registration
🔥 Limited Spaces Available! 🔥
Click Here To Call
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REQUEST YOUR $10 TRIAL CLASS!

Contact us today for a $10, 60-minute introductory lesson with one of our instructors.
GET STARTED TODAY

What Our Students are Saying
CHECK OUT OUR 5-STAR REVIEWS!
 

Eric h.
★★★★★
My son has been a part of this dojo since 2020. He is now 10 and the highest ranking Junior Dragon. He is also a junior instructor for the newer kids. I myself most recently joined earlier this year. Grandmaster Starks and his amazing wife Julia have created a remarkable environment for adults and children to be challenged , become stronger mentally and physically and be a part of a growing family and legacy. Grandmaster Starks was most recently featured on the front cover of Deadly Art Of Survival (15th Edition) where his story can be read. I encourage anyone in the Chicagoland area to come visit their dojo, you will not be disappointed.

- Eric H.
Ibrahim
★★★★★
This is a great place for anyone who is interested in learning martial arts or self defense. The staff and instructors are very professional and personable. You will learn how to overcome mental/ physical limitations. I highly recommend DBJ. By far the best Dojo to join in Chicago and Midwest.

- Ibrahim B.
 
Jay s.
★★★★★
I am a current student of Hanshi Starks his energy his humbleness his overall enthusiasm to want to train those whom are truly serious and dedicated their time patience and effort to this Japanese African jujitsu art. He pushes you to your limit, pushes you to your inner greatness. I did not want to take up jujutsu from other instructors based on professionalism, and that he most certainly have. You will not regret paying for phenomenal instructions in this beautiful art of jujitsu. Sign up and get started as I’ve done.

- Jay S.
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REQUEST MORE INFORMATION

Interested in learning more? Give us a call or send us a message using the form below.