Competitive Edge’s five senior instructors are advanced black belts with extensive martial arts and teaching experience. The staff also includes state, national and international martial arts champions. Our lead instructor and curriculum specialist, Dr. O’Donnell, holds doctorate degrees in education and child psychology.

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Ishmir Ra is a professional welterweight boxer with over 10 years of experience in fitness and strengthens training and conditioning, and over 8 years of personal training experience. He is committed to a holistic training program, which includes diet, exercise and rest for maximum results. Ishmir has trained with greats like Al Serto, Eugene Pearson, Jim Robinson, Percy Custus, and Sonny Nadler.

In addition to his boxing career and personal training, Mr. Ra is ranked at the top of his division with the National Scrabble Association, proving that brain power is equally as important as physical strength. Finally, Mr. Ra is a proud husband and father of a 10 month old.

Vasil Dimitrov, is a Judo and MMA specialist. He is a black belt with over 24 years of Judo experience. He participated in hundreds of tournaments and medaled in many of them. Vasil graduated from National Sports Academy earning a degree in Physical Therapy / Kinesitherapy and as a Judo coach. In Bulgaria he was a coach and considered an expert in Sport Judo. He has worked with beginners, kids and Adults, up to advance Olympic level players. Vasil also has experience in preparation of police officers providing special techniques for their work and self-defense.

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John Taube comes to us us with over 32 years experience in Martial Arts.

 

 

 

Marie O'Donnell, EdD PsyD: 3rd degree black belt (Pediatric Psychologist, Instructional and Curriculum Specialist) Forms and Sparring: 3 time International Champ, 6 time National Champ, 4 time PA State and Eastern Regionals Champ.

Ronnie Monroe II, is working toward his 4th degree black belt. He started training when he was four years old. Ronnie started competing in Olympic style Tae Kwon Do at age 10. Before that time he only focused on forms. Ronnie has been training under Bobby Leach in Voorhees, New Jersey for the past few years. So far he has competed in and placed in over 100 tournaments. Some of the titles that he has won in the last four years are as follows: In the light division (>130) for juniors and under the feather/bantam division in the adult division. 4 times International Champ, International MVP player award, 3 time National Champ, runner up (2nd place) in senior National champ, 6 time PA State Champ, 2 time Maryland State Champ, 2 time New Jersey State Champ. (Expertise in sparring).

Brandon Monroe, is a 2nd degree Black belt & Junior Instructor. Like his older brother, Brandon started training when he was just four years old. He has over 9 years of martial arts training with several different instructors. Brandon is already a well distinguished martial artist with two National titles and several State championships under his belt. Brandon is also becoming a well rounded martial artist by gaining expertise in kickboxing, boxing, submission wrestling and the intricacies of the ground game training to utilize submission jujitsu. Brandon enjoys teaching as much as he does training.
Although Brandon is very young the parents and students of all ages are extremely impressed with his teaching abilities.

Jeffrey P. Parish-Morris, holds a Black belt in Karate/Bushido and Kobudo/Shikendo. He also holds a Green belt in Judo and Krav Maga. Jeff is the main instructor for our Japanese Weapons class.

Ken Perry has been training in Muay Thai for 15 years. He has competed in amateur Muay Thai and has run the Philadelphia Muay Thai program for seven years.

Ken has a level two certification from Ajarn Chai Sirisute and junior instructor certification under Sakasem. In 1987 he trained for ten days in Las Vegas with Master Toddy and Master Luukchang.

Ken teaches using authentic Muay Thai training techniques. The training here is the same as in Thailand, just condensed into a one hour class. Focus is on explosive offense, well executed counters and mastery of the standing clinch.

Eric E.V. Williams AKA Mr. Flashy, comes to Competitive Edge as a 1st Degree Black Belt with over 6 yrs of training in Taekwondo and brings the teaching style of Grand Master Seung Min Choi who hails as a 7th Degree Black Belt out of the Carolinas. Eric placed 1st in his heavyweight class in sparring, forms and freestyle at the Virginia Taekwondo Open.

Eric also has a fabulous Demonstration Team Record. He has preformed with some of Korea’s best which includes YONG-IN University International Demonstration, and Chi Wu Chun Wang Taekwondo International Demonstration Teams and Tommy the Green Power Ranger, (Jason Frank Scott). As a new instructor to Competitive Edge we welcome him