instructors - Sifu Ralph Mitchell

Instructors

Sifu Ralph Mitchell

Master Instructor Ralph Mitchell has been a practitioner of the martial arts for over 40 plus years. He is a decorated Viet Nam combat veteran. Master Mitchell has won tournaments nationally and internationally both in Thailand and Taiwan and is a World rated Full Contact Fighter. His martial arts background includes Southern Praying Mantis, Vee Jitsu, Judo, Western Boxing, Savate, the Philipino art of Kali, and is a Senior Full Instructor of Progressive Fighting System.

This diverse background has enabled Master Mitchell to develop Universal Defense System. UDS incorporates both eastern and western martial arts along with a focus on health and safety to develop the most effective and efficient martial artist. The UDS system begins with an evaluation to determine a fighter’s strengths and weaknesses. Based on this evaluation an individualized training program is developed to guide the student in the goals of self-preservation and self-perfection.

Master Mitchell is an experienced judge and referee. His system of martial arts incorporates the concept of cross training and provides a “trainer” for tournament competitions. This is in keeping with systems used in other disciplines and sports to maximize performance and minimize injury. In his classes he focuses on street survival techniques, utilizing both eastern and western styles. His students are consistent winners in Kung-Fu, stick and knife, and mixed martial arts competitions. He has trained amateurs and professional fighters including UFC level competitors. Master Mitchell is a rare combination of teacher, healer, trainer, and coach who helps to build students into champions. Discipline, and respect are the foundations of Universal Defense System.

Sensei Nardu Debrah

Sensei Nardu Debrah is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the legendary Renzo Gracie. He is a professional Mixed Martial Arts competitor and former Ring of Combat champion. He is also a Full Instructor in Universal Defense System under Sifu Ralph Mitchell. He holds victories in the World Escrima Kali and Arnis Federation as well as Bakbakan International. He also holds numerous wins in the North American Grappling Association, Grapplers Quest and the U.S. Chinese Kuoshu Federation. He is trained in Northern & Southern Kung Fu/ Wu Shu & Tai Chi and has studied extensively the Concepts of Jeet Kune Do under Sifu Ralph Mitchell. Trained in Muay Thai, La Boxe Francaise Savate, Doce Pares, Kali / Arnis, Fencing, Iaido, Western Boxing, Judo and Southern Mantis. He is currently an active competitor / instructor and continues to teach and train Martial professionals. He has had the opportunity to learn from such experts as Sifu Ralph Mitchell, Rodrigo Gracie, Matt Serra, John Danaher, Renzo Gracie and Savoca Sensei of the Tendokan.

Achievements:
• Renzo Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and Mixed Martial Arts Veteran.
• Two time first place winner in Advanced Chi Sau (sticking hands) Division.
• Three time first place winner of Advanced fighting division in the Wong Fei Hong Tournament.
• First place winner 1997 Eastern Regional Championships Full Contact stickfighting.
• First place winner 2000 "Masters of the Blade" Knife fighting tournament.
• Silver Medal at U.S. Chinese Kuoshu Federation for Steel Whip demonstration.
• 1999 Received rank of Full Instructor under Sifu Ralph Mitchell.
• 2001 Fought in "New York Showdown 4" San Shou match. 2001 Fought in "International Fight Night" No Holds Barred MMA
• 2002 Fought in "New York Showdown 5" San Shou match.
• 2002 Fought in "Battle on Broadway" No Holds Barred, Freestyle fighting (Fight aired on Cable Television Station MSG "Martial Arts World")
• 2001 First place winner at "The Grapplers Quest".
• 2002 First place=2 0winner at U.S. Grappling Association.
• 2002 Fought in "Vengeance at the Vanderbuilt" No Holds Barred
• 2002 Fought in "Ring of Combat" at the Mohegan Sun [Super Middleweight Championship bout] (Won by TKO)
• 2004 Fought in "Eruption" MMA (Won by Knockout)
• 2005 Fought in "Absolute Fighting Championship" Ft lauderdale Florida.
• 2005 Handwrap & prep-man for Rodrigo Gracie vs B.J. Perm "Rumble on the rock" in Honolulu Hawaii. 2005 Selected for "Ultimate Fighting Championship" Reality show on Spike TV. (second season)
• 2005 Taught Edged weapons seminar & workshop for the New York Police Departments Tactical Training Unit.
• 2006 Fought in Trump Taj Mahal Atlantic City "Mixed Fighting Championships 6"
• 2006 Became Vice President of Battlescar Management's / Close Quarter Combat, Tactical Training & Civilian education.
• 2006 Conducted Seminars & Workshops for the Masters Club & Serra's BJJ Academy on Edged Weapons.
• 2006 Fought in Bodog's Premeir event USA vs Russia in San Jose, Costa Rica Event aired on The Mens Channel / Dish Network Television)
* 2007 Opened and established the Budokan Martial Arts Academy in
Valley Stream New York.
* 2010 Received First Degree Black belt from Professor Renzo Gracie
* 2010 Trained Judo at the Kodokan in Japan as well as Jiu Jitsu and Iaido
in Kyoto and Osaka
* 2011 Opened Budokan Martial Arts Academy in Lynbrook New York

Professor Harry St. Leger

Multiple Junior National Championship Medals
2001 - Junior Pan American Silver medal - Acapulco, Mexico
2004 - Junior Pan American Champion. - Catalina, Puerto Rico
- Ippon trophy winner
- Outstanding Male judoka of the Jr. Pan American Championships
2004 - Jr. US Open Champion
2004 - Male Junior Judo Player of the Year in the Pan American Union
2004 - Junior British Open Bronze medalist
2005 - National Bronze medal - Virginia beach, Virginia
2006 - National Bronze Medal - Houston, Texas
2007 - NY Open Silver medal - NY, NY
2007 - Pedro Challenge Champion
2007 - National Bronze Medal - Miami, Florida
2007 - Fall Classic Silver medalist - Coral Springs, FL
2007 - US Open - Bronze Medalist
2008 - National Silver medal - Virginia beach, Virginia

Professor Lou Levine

Professor Louis Levine is a director of Center for Homeland Security Studies ("CHSS"). CHSS has provided training to law enforcement officers and emergency personnel at local, state and federal facilities since 2002. Professor Levine's recent Counter-Knife seminars have received excellent reviews from local and federal law enforcement officers and agencies including the NYPD Tactical Training unit and the Defensive Measures Instructor for Federal Air Marshalls. For over 28 years, he has participated in, and conducted, Close Quarter training. His portfolio of training includes extensive study of Jeet Kune Do ("JKD"), Southern Praying Mantis, Kung Fu, Filipino Martial Arts, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Western boxing. In February of 1994, Mr. Levine was the victor in the Martial Arts Challenge full contact stick fighting tournament. Professor Louis Levine is also a member of the International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers Association. His certifications include a Black Belt in Doce Pares to teach the arts of Kali, Escrima and Arnis (under Dionisio Canete, Arnulfo Cuesta, and Eulogio Canete) and a Senior Full Instructor certification (to teach JKD, Kung Fu Filipino Arts, Muay Thai, and Western boxing ) under Sifu Ralph Mitchell. Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Matt Serra. Professor Levine received the rank of Edged Weapon Instructor from Progressive Fighting Systems. This ranking certifies Mr Levine to teach the tactics and training methods taught to Seal Team 6, DEA, FBI, CIA, and numerous law enforcement departments.

Professor Rufino Peraza

Rufino Peraza has been studying martial arts for the past 24 years . He is an instructor in Tae Kwon Do under Master Ernesto Jimenez and has been teaching since 1989. He has dedicated his life to the study of the Martial Arts and has studied Jiu jitsu, Aikido, Boxing and Jeet Kune Do. He is also an instructor of Sogo Budo under Sensei Nardu Debrah specializing in Kali/Arnis and has had the pleasure of studying Sifu Ralph Mitchell of Universal Defense Systems. Rufino is also in the process of receiving his instructors certification in Doce Pares and is a student of Tai Chi under Sensei Debrah. "The study of martial arts is a life-long process for the person that loves it as much as I do. I feel blessed to have found such incredible instructors like the ones at the Budokan and Universal Defense System. I am still learning and enjoying the study of Martial Arts and hope to do so for many more years and in the next life-time."

Kyle Antonelli

Kyle Antonelli is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Sensei Nardu Debrah. He began his BJJ training in 2005, and through training at the Budokan Martial Arts Academy has had the opportunity to train with and study under high level black belts and top practitioners of the art. He has also trained previously in collegiate-style Wrestling as well as Aikido, and now trains Judo and Muay Thai at the Budokan in addition to BJJ. Kyle currently shares his love for the art of Jiu Jitsu in teaching
the Beginner BJJ class here at Budokan.

Akbar Muhammad

Akbar Muhammad has been a student at the Budokan since 2008 where he started in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Sogo Budo. Akbar’s competitive nature led him to compete in his first BJJ tournament and he hasn’t looked back since. Now with numerous metals and championships on the competition scene, he is using those experiences to help new Budokan students. Akbar is an instructor of the beginners BJJ class. He remains an active competitor while training Judo and Iaido and is currently working towards his goals in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Matthew Culley

Matt Culley is currently a purple belt under Sensei Nardu Debrah and with Sensei's guidance also trains under Professor John Danaher at the Renzo Gracie Academy. Since joining Budokan he has developed a love for many different martial arts. Along with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu he currently trains "the gentle art" of Judo under Professor Harry St Leger as well as Muay Thai and Iaido. He has won medals in both BJJ and Judo including Gold at both the 2010 Starrett Cup and 2010 Long Island Pride. Besides continuing to learn, compete, and excel at these various arts one of his many goals is to pass on the life changing gifts that training Martial Arts has given to him.

Sensei Pedro Tommy Gonzalez

     Tommy Sensei has trained in Judo (Judo translates to the Gentle Way), since 
the age of 9 in 1978, and has learned from many instructors, whose methods have 
varied from traditional and serene, to “competitive to a fault”.  Exposure to 
such a range of teaching methods, has helped him perceive a Oneness behind 
seeming opposites.  Equanimity is the thing; “to be the same in success and in 
failure”, this is the true meaning of discipline.  “Do not be attached to the 
results of your actions”.  Ambition is easy, but are you resolved to stay the 
course?  The Judo Maxim which states “Mutual Benefit and Harmony” (also 
translated “move forward together with your opponent”), is a statement of 
“Win-Win” characteristics, which can only engender equality and peace, and 
points to this Oneness behind the seeming duality of gain and loss.  The Dojo, 
with it’s outward reminders of respect, and it’s inward effects of “mind 
sharpening” through practice, is an easy place in which to gain insight and do 
the right thing.  Taking this lesson outside the training hall can seem more 
difficult, but that is our purpose here, and it’s fulfillment cannot be 
difficult, if it is in fact, the Gentle Way. 
     Tommy Sensei’s first Judo instructor was his father, a Black Belt Judoka 
from Cuba.  More recently, he has trained wth John Bassano Sensei (7th Dan), 
under which Tommy earned his 1st Dan Black Belt in 1998, and Parnel Legros 
Sensei (5th Dan, and instructor to Harry St. Leger), under which Tommy earned 
his 2nd Dan Black Belt in 2010.  
     Tommy Sensei often prefers foot techniques, for their ease, speed, and 
versatility, but he also relies on Ippon Seoinage (shoulder throw), to either 
side, and a variety of “sacrifice” techniques.  He has taught Judo regularly 
since 1998, to students ranging from kids ages 5 to 15, (in classes packed 30+ 
full), and to adults of all ages.  His tournament successes have been mostly 
local, limited to State Championship and regional wins, but his training 
partners have often been World and Olympic Class, including Professor Harry 
St. Leger.  
     A White Belt in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, Tommy Sensei has recently been humbled 
by his study of this supreme grappling art, but he is sticking to it, and is 
honored to teach Judo to the BJJ crowd at Budokan Martial Arts Academy.