Our Instructors

Our Instructors

Dedication and Expertise:
The Instructors of AAKF

AAKF instructors are highly dedicated karate practitioners, both men and women, who balance daily training and teaching with their professional careers and personal responsibilities. 

With 10 to 50 years of continuous martial arts experience, our instructors bring a unique blend of competition achievements and teaching expertise. This depth of knowledge allows them to clearly explain and demonstrate karate techniques to students of all ages and skill levels. 

Their commitment ensures that the rich traditions of the American Amateur Karate Federation are preserved and passed on to future generations.

Mahmoud Tabassi

Mahmoud Tabassi

9th Degree (KyuDan)
Mid-Atlantic Region
Alex Tong

Alex Tong

8th Degree (Hachidan)
Southwest Region
Albert Cheah

Albert Cheah

7th Degree (Sichidan)
Western Region
Richard Kageyama

Richard Kageyama

7th Degree (Sichidan)
Western Region
Joel Ertl

Joel Ertl

6th Degree (Rokudan)
North Central Region
Anita Bendickson

Anita Bendickson

5th Degree (Godan)
North Central Region
Bryan Hays

Bryan Hays

5th Degree (Godan)
Mid Atlantic Region
Evangeline Emanuel

Evangeline Emanuel

5th Degree (Godan)
Mid Atlantic Region
Laurie Elliott

Laurie Elliott

5th Degree (Godan)
North Central Region
Soolmaz Abooali

Soolmaz Abooali

5th Degree (Godan)
Mid Atlantic Region
Trung Le

Trung Le

5th Degree (Godan)
North Central Region
Art Wong

Art Wong

5th Degree (Godan)
North Central Region 
Jim Wade

Jim Wade

4th Degree (Yondan)
North Central Region
Jon Hodapp

Jon Hodapp

4th Degree (Yondan)
North Central Region
Thomas Meagher

Thomas Meagher

4th Degree (Yondan)
North Central Region
Vassil Peytchev

Vassil Peytchev

4th Degree (Yondan)
Great Lakes Region
John Hyatt

John Hyatt

4th Degree (Yondan)
South Atlantic Region
Adam Blanchard

Adam Blanchard

3rd Degree (Sandan)
Southwest Region
Hai Nguyen

Hai Nguyen

3rd Degree
South Atlantic Region
Michael Ching

Michael Ching

3rd Degree (Sandan)
North Central Region
Anjali Krishnan

Anjali Krishnan

2nd Degree (Nidan)
Southwestern Region
Bill Badlo

Bill Badlo

2nd Degree (Nidan)
North Central Region
Deirdre Layne

Deirdre Layne

2nd Degree (Nidan)
North Central Region
Frederick Turner

Frederick Turner

2nd Degree (Nidan)
Southwestern Region
Gina Wood

Gina Wood

2nd Degree (Nidan)
North Central Region
J Robert Todd

J Robert Todd

2nd Degree (Nidan)
Southwest Region
Lanny Little

Lanny Little

2nd Degree (Nidan)
Southwest Region
Mark Abeln

Mark Abeln

2nd Degree (Nidan)
North Central Region
Asim Haracic

Asim Haracic

1st Degree (Shodan)
Mid-Atlantic
Atul Kotamraju

Atul Kotamraju

1st Degree (Shodan)
Mid-Atlantic Region
Brandon Kammer

Brandon Kammer

1st (Shodan)
South Atlantic Region
Chris Penning

Chris Penning

1st Degree (Shodan)
South Atlantic Region
Donna Lee

Donna Lee

1st Degree (Shodan)
Mid-Atlantic Region
Dr. Phil Smith

Dr. Phil Smith

1st Degree (Shodan)
South Atlantic
Ethan Nyberg

Ethan Nyberg

1st Degree (Shodan)
Mid-Atlantic Region 
Mike O’Malley

Mike O’Malley

1st Degree (Shodan)
Northwestern
Uzma Rasheed

Uzma Rasheed

1st Degree (Shodan)
Mid-Atlantic Region