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About our Instructors

Sensei Adam Tucker (Owner/Head Instructor)

Adam has been studying the Martial Arts for almost 20 years. He has competed extensively up and down the east coast in both submission grappling tournaments, Amateur Mixed Martial Arts bouts and Full Contact Karate. Adam uses his competition experience to help temper our students while reinforcing the traditional principles which are the foundation for all martial arts. He is a Level 5 Certified International Instructor under the World Kickboxing Association.

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Ranks:

 

2nd Degree Black Belt "Nidan" Goshin Do Karate

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Level 7 (Purple/Red Belt) Hayastan Grappling System

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Founder Ronin Kickboxing System

 

Blue Belt 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu

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Competition Highlights:

 

3-2 Amateur MMA Record

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2011 NYS Grappling Championship Absolute No Gi Champion

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2011 NYS Grappling Championship Advanced 1st Place

 

2023 American Kyokushin Karate Championship:

2nd Place Heavyweight Masters Knockdown Division

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Samantha Palella (Instructor)

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Ranks:

 

Purple Belt Goshin Do Karate

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Level 3 (Green Belt) Hayastan Grappling System

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Brown Belt Ronin Kickboxing System

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Samantha is very active in all of the programs we offer. Whether it is Ronin Fitness, Goshin Do Karate, Bang Muay Thai or Hayastan Grappling, she's always learning and helping others.  She is a Level 5 Certified International Instructor under the World Kickboxing Association.

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Samantha currently assists with both our Little Pups Class and aids in all of our adult classes as well.

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Brett Watts (Instructor)

Brett is an active member of all of our martial arts programs and has competed in several grappling and karate tournaments. His curious nature allows him to break down techniques and use that knowledge to help all of our students understand how they work.

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Brett currently assists with both our Little Pups class and aids in all of our adult classes as well.

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Ranks:

 

Blue Belt Goshin Do Karate

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Level 3 (Green Belt) Hayastan Grappling System

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Purple Belt Ronin Kickboxing System

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Ben Kennard (Assistant Instructor)

Ben enjoys all of our martial arts programs and also actively competes in submission grappling tournaments. His quiet demeanour allows him to work well with our new students and help them to develop their self confidence and abilities.

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Ben currently assists with our Little Pups class as he continues to develop his skills as a martial artist.

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Ranks:

 

Orange Belt Goshin Do Karate

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Level 1 (Yellow Belt) Hayastan Grappling System

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Orange Belt Ronin Kickboxing System

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Colby VanKleeck (Assistant Instructor)

Colby is an active participant in our Karate, Bang Muay Thai and Grappling programs. On top of that he also actively competes in Grappling and Karate tournaments. 

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Colby currently assists with our Little Pups class as he continues to develop his skills as a martial artist.

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Ranks:

 

Green Belt Goshin Do Karate

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Level 1 (Yellow Belt) Hayastan Grappling System

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Green Belt Ronin Kickboxing System

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2nd Degree Black Belt New Era Martial Arts

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Julie-Hunsinger-Tucker 

(Owner/Administrator)

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Julie has been a driving force of Ronin Martial Arts since before we opened. She helped to find our original location, build our schedule, design our main logo and begin initial advertising.

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Currently Julie helps behind the scenes with advertising, billing, social media and several other jobs.

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