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.
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.
1991 119 lbs. Silver
Glove State Champ ( Michigan)
1991 119 lbs. Pan American
Game Silver Medalist
1991 119 lbs. Quarter
Finalist Goodwill Games (Atlanta)
1992 119 lbs Olympic
Trail Box-off Finalist (potentially the youngest
on the Olympic Boxing Team)
1993 119 lbs National
PAL Champ
1994 119 lbs AAU Golden
Glove State Finalist (Michigan)
Ishmir Ra Turned professional in 2005 and his
record is now 1-1; Mr. Ra is very dedicated
and committed to his craft, and he aspires to
one day become welterweight champion of the
world.
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.
John Taube comes to us us with over 32 years experience in Martial Arts.
6th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo with The World Taekwondo Federation
6th Dan in Jujitsu
5th Dan in Hapkido
3rd Dan in Judo
Advanced Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Instructor in Muay Thai
PA state champion 5 times
NC state champion 2 times
SC state champion 1 time
National USTU competitor 1986-1987
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.
Jari Marjo,
age 32 is a Black belt in Taekwondo. He has a
decade of training in Finland and is specialized
to traditional Taekwondo including basic technique,
one step fighting, forms and self defense. Jari’s
classes consist of all the aspects of Taekwondo
including competition forms.
Jeffrey
P. Parish-Morris, holds a Brown
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.
Jeffrey
P. Parish-Morris, holds a Brown
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.