Sal Convento – Sal Convento is a Third Degree Black Belt and the Chief Instructor of the United States Karate Academy.  He has over twenty-four years of martial arts experience and is a highly-respected World Champion.  He was a 1996 graduate of the United States Naval Academy who went on to become a Surface Warfare Officer and eventually a Naval Aviator.  He took part in missions flying the EP3 Orion over Iraq and Afghanistan during “Operation Enduring Freedom” and was also stationed at the Omaha MEPS and was a Surface Warfare Officer in San Diego, California on three different amphibious ships.

Martial Arts Accomplishments:

  • Overall Grand Champion at the 2002, 2004, & 2010 World Championships
  • Overall Grand Champion at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship
  • Overall Grand Champion at the Southern California Regional    Championship
  • Overall Grand Champion at the Mid-West Regional Championship
  • Overall Grand Champion at the East Coast Championships in Queens College, NY and Charlotte, WV
  • Captain of the United States Naval Academy Karate-Do Team in 1996 and once recognized as the “Athlete of the Week”

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Tom Yahner – Tom Yahner is a Third Degree Black Belt and the Head Instructor of the United States Karate Academy.  He has over twenty-two years of martial arts experience in several martial arts including Tang Soo Do, Kung Fu, Ninjitsu, Kickboxing and Jujitsu.  He was a 2005 graduate of the Penn State University in Telecommunications and Information Technology.

Martial Arts Accomplishments

  • Silver Medalist at the 2008 World Championship
  • Gold Medalist at the New England Regional Championship
  • Gold Medalist at the Great Lakes Regional Championship
  • Gold Medalist at the North West Pacific Regional Championship
  • Gold Medalist at the Western Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship
  • Gold Medalist at the Central Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship

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Stephanie Spears – Stephanie Spears is a First Degree Black Belt and Class Instructor at the United States Karate Academy.  She has over nine years of martial arts and kickboxing experience.  She currently is a junior at the San Diego State University majoring in Business Management.

Martial Arts Accomplishments

  • Gold Medalist at the 2008 World Championship

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Greg Cerezo – Greg Cerezo is a First Degree Black Belt and a Class Instructor at the United States Karate Academy.  He has over nine years of martial arts experience.  He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and became a commissioned officer in the United States Navy.  After a career as a Naval Pilot, he currently is employed as a defense contractor.

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Craig Hunnewell – Craig Hunnewell is a First Degree Black Belt and a Class Instructor at the United States Karate Academy.   After a career as a Naval Chief, he currently is employed as a defense contractor.

Martial Arts Accomplishments

  • Overall Grand Champion at the 2010 West Coast Classic

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David Rangel – David Rangel serves as the Student Relations Director at the United States Karate Academy. He has over ten years of experience in the Real Estate industry and is one of the highest ranking adult students at the Academy. His job is to serve as a liaison between the students, parents and instructors as well as to organize monthly social events.

Martial Arts Accomplishments

  • Gold Medalist at the 2008 World Championship

 

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Chris Bernal – Chris Bernal is a Black Belt Candidate and a Class Instructor at the United States Karate Academy.

Martial Arts Accomplishments

  • Overall Grand Champion at the 2010 West Coast Classic

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Morgan Farris – Morgan Farris is the Office Manager and Kickboxing Instructor at the United States Karate Academy. She an accomplished actress featured in films such as Friday Night Lights and Infamous, as well at the CBS pilot series, Swingtown.

Martial Arts Accomplishments

  • Overall Grand Champion at the 2010 West Coast Classic
  • Gold Medalist at the 2008 World Championship
  • Gold Medalist at the Southern California Regional Championship