They are calling him a liar.
Keith Raniere that is.
His former followers are saying the self-proclaimed “smartest man in the world” lied about his being an East Coast Judo Champion when he was 11 or 12.
Frank Report wants to give Mr. Raniere the benefit of the doubt.
And he has at least one defender.
In a recent post, Vanessa Montenegro wrote in defense of Keith Raniere.
He was an East Coast Judo Champion at age eleven defeating Asian masters and Americans.
Keith had records of this and pictures as well. However a landlord threw this out when he was young. But in those days they did not have internet or the same kind of record keeping. But a little research – for there are living judo masters – who remember a 12 year old child coming to the East Coast Judo championship and tossing about grown men to the astonishment of everyone.
There seems to be little doubt that Mr. Raniere recalls his championship victory – although there seems to be confusion about how old he was at the time.
According to Keith Raniere’s online biography he:
‘was an East Coast Judo Champion at age eleven.’
According to an earlier interview he gave the Albany Times Union, published June 26, 1988 story, “Troy Man has a Lot in His Mind” Mr. Raniere
“was East Coast Judo champion at age 12.”
Mr. Raniere was born, he says, on August 26, 1960. He would have been 11 from August 26, 1971 until August 25, 1972. He would have been 12 on the same dates from 1972-1973.
It should have been newsworthy that an 11 or 12-year old boy defeated adult judo masters to win the East Coast Championship.
Frank Report did find an East Coast Judo Tournament held in Newark, NJ. The amateur tournament – held every year since the late 1960’s – is not ranked as an “E level” event and, therefore, not likely the championship Mr. Raniere said he won since it does not qualify as serious competition.
The tournament is primarily for children, starting at age four – who compete with other children usually in front of their parents.
However, a clue is offered in the Spanish language Wikipedia page for Mr. Raniere:
Como atleta, superó a Michael Jordan al ser campeón de judo, a los 11
This is translated as:
As an athlete, he overcame Michael Jordan as a judo champion at 11.
There does not appear to be any Michael Jordan who was a noted judo expert.
If this is basketball star Michael Jordon, if Mr. Raniere defeated him at age 11, Mr. Jordan would have been eight years old.
Frank Report searched the online records of:
East Coast Judo Tournament, The Michigan Open Judo Championships, Ohio Judo Championships, North Coast Judo Championships, Great Lakes Open Judo Championships, Judo Ontario Events, Polish Judo Championship, The Olympics, the USJF/USJA Junior Nationals, the Pan Am Games and there is a not a single mention of Mr. Raniere.
He is not in the US Judo Hall of Fame.
Black Belt Magazine makes no mention of him in any issue in 1971, 1972 or 1973.
Sports Illustrated refers to an East Coast Invitational Judo Championship in 1972 but makes no mention of Mr. Raniere, who certainly would have newsworthy had he actually been the East Coast Judo Champion at such a tender age.
In fact, Frank Report was unable to find any mention of him in association with judo anywhere other than in his own bio and his TU interview.
Mr. Raniere told supporters there were pictures and a trophy but that a malicious landlord threw these out.
As Vanessa said there must be
“living judo masters – who remember a 12 year old child coming to the East Coast Judo championship and tossing about grown men to the astonishment of everyone.”
She made a compelling and persuasive argument when she wrote:
“Use common sense. This is not a lie anyone could tell and get away with. No one has ever disproven it in 20 years. Think of that!”
Perhaps Mr. Raniere would not mind answering the following questions and put these rumors of his being a liar to rest:
– Who did you defeat to win the East Coast Judo Championship?
– What weight and age division?
– What was your belt rank? i.e white, yellow, green, etc.
– What was the name of the dojo where you trained?
– What was the name of your sensei (And please don’t say it was Mr. Miyagi)?
– What exactly was, or is, the East Coast Judo Championship?
– Is it sanctioned by any international, or national organization?
– Do you know of anyone who has proof i.e. – a medal, a report, written record etc.?
– Are there any eyewitnesses? Photographs of you with a trophy?
– What year was it [your bio fails to mention the year]?
– How many others won an “East Coast Judo Champion” in the year you won?
– Did you win against a child or an adult?
– If you won against a child, would that make you a children’s East Coast Judo Champion?
– What was the actual title of your championship?
– Why don’t you revise your bio to state particulars about this judo championship – such as title, year, the man/child you defeated?
– If it was a children’s prize, should you state your competitor was another child?
At the end of the day, everyone wants to believe Mr. Raniere is honest.
A little help from him – just standard things – that anyone who posts an online bio claiming to be a champion in a competitive sporting event is expected to do – will go a long way in keeping the faithful believing.
As it is now, the “believers” are leaving rather rapidly. By all accounts, they think you are a rather silly little man who lies a lot.
Please show them just how wrong they are…
