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Kaizen Martial Arts

Coach John Potenza

Coach John Potenza

Coach Potenza began training in the martial arts in 1981.In his 30+ years as a martial artist he has trained in many styles including: Catch as Catch Can Wrestling, Combat Submission Wrestling, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Judo, BJJ, Close Quarter Combat, Military Combatives, American Vadha Kempo Karate, Kung Fu, Kendo, Kenjutsu, Iaido, Iaijutsu, Kali, Escrima, & Aikido achieving Black Belt rank (or equivalent) in the majority of them. Some of his most notable ranks are:

Certifications:

  • Co Founder / Head Coach: Old School Grappling  Catch Wrestling Association
  • Catch as Catch Can Wrestling (Scientific Wrestling) Assistant Coach: ONE OF ONLY SEVEN IN THE WORLD! Under legendary Catch Wrestling Coach Billy Robinson.
  • CSW Representative Instructor: Combat Submission Wrestling, training under Sensei Erik Paulson since 2000.
  • 1st Degree Black Belt Kodokan Judo: Under Sensei John Saylor
  • Shodan Iaido (Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu): Under Sensei Carl Long & Shimabukuro Hanshi
  • 1st Degree Black Belt Aikido: Under Hanshi Amato Degree Black Belt Karate: Under Hanshi Amato
  • 1st Degree Black Belt Shingitai Jujutsu: Under Sensei John Saylor
  • 3rd Degree Black Belt Kendo: Under Hanshi George Alexander, and the International Budokan Kendo Federation.
  • 2nd Degree Black Belt American Vadha Kempo Karate, & Certified Instructor: Under Master John Salvaggio, (the systems founder).
  • Fifth Degree Black Belt and recognized founder of Integrated Fighting Systems: Under the Combat Martial Arts Practitioners Association.
  • Member of USA Wrestling, “New Jersey State Wrestling Association”
  • Certified USA Wrestling Coach: Copper and Bronze levels certified
  • Certified U.S. Army MACP (Modern Army Combative Program) Level 2 Tactical Instructor: Under the U.S. Army’s 98th Div Combative Cadre, Fort Dix, NJ
  • Wrote the UFS Air Force TTP – Response to an active shooter in an office environment.

**COACH POTENZA IS AN EIGHT TIME MARTIAL ARTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE**

  • World Karate Union Hall of Fame 2000- Instructor of the year: American Vadha Kempo Karate.
  • Action Martial Arts Magazine’s Hall Of Fame 2001- Excellence in teaching Martial Arts.
  • I.A.M.A. Hall of fame 2001- Instructor of The Year: Kendo – Iaijutsu
  • USA Hall of Fame – 2004 – instructor of the Year: Grappling
  • USA Hall of Fame – 2005 – Founder of the year – Integrated Fighting Systems.
  • Budo International Hall of Fame -2005- Instructor of the Year: Mixed Martial Arts
  • Action Hall of Honors 2009 – Outstanding Contributions to the Martial Arts
  • Newbreed Fighters Hall of Fame 2011

**SOME OF HIS MOST NOTABLE TITLES**

  • 2 TIME Vadha Kempo Karate Mixed Martial Arts elimination Tournament Champion:
  • 1st Place -Heavy Weight Brown Belt division
  • 1st Place – Heavy Weight Black Belt division.
  • Super Heavyweight Submission Grappling World Champion: “2002 USKBA Action Sport World Championship.”
  • Submission Fighting Heavyweight Champion: “2003 Gathering of Warriors.”
  • Knife Fighting Champion: “2004 “Gathering of Warriors”.
  • Knife Fighting Champion :“2005 “Gathering of Warriors the Summit”
  • 1st Place Champion in 3 divisions: “The Gathering of Warriors 2005 International Tournament” in Manila, Philippines:
  • Gold Medal – Long Sword
  • Gold Medal – Sword & Dagger Gold Medal – Knife Fighting.
  • 1st Place Champion in 3 divisions “2006 Masters of the Blade:”
  • Gold medal – Long Sword Gold Medal – Stick & Knife
  • Gold Medal – Knife Fighting 2006 S.I. JUDO INVITATIONAL
  • 1st Place – Division Champion

Since 2001 John & Sandra Potenza have been the Owners, Head Instructor & Fight Team Coach of the Modern Martial Arts Fight Clubs in NJ . Producing countless champions & title holders in Submission Grappling, MMA, Muay Thai, Judo & Weapon based arts. 

He was also the Head Coach for 98th Division Combative team – 2012 All Army Combative Tournament at Ft. Hood Texas & 2012 Division Tournament at Ft Dix NJ.