MAFORU 

Teachers

MarkMark started training in martial arts in 1992 with some friends a few times a week at Fort Bragg while serving in the 327th and 82nd Airborne Division. After returning from the Gulf he moved from Elmont, New York to Charlotte, NC and began training with a group of friends that had experience in Jun Fan Gung Fu and Muay Thai Kickboxing until he met Sifu Rob Kelly and Sifu Scott Shields.

In 1996 he began training at Sifu Scott Shields new school in Mint Hill, NC. Soon after, he became a fixture at the fraschool training at every opportunity and teaching classes. He also traveled frequently to train in a several other reputable academies as possible such as Princeton Academy of Martial Arts in New Jersey and Alliance Jiu Jitsu in Atlanta, GA.

Now mark trains and teaches classes in the Charlotte, NC area. Mark’s Credentials:

• 2nd degree BlackBelt in Jiu Jitsu under Sensei Scott Shields

• Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

• 2nd Level Apprentice Instructor In Kali under Scott Shields and George Mandripilias

• 2nd Level instructor in Submission Wrestling under Scott Shields

• BlackBelt in the Integrated Fighting System under Scott Shields

• Phase II Advanced in Jun Fan Gung Fu under Sifu Rob Kelley

• Apprentice Instructor in Jun Fan Gun Fu - Jeet Kune Do under Sifu Scott Shields

• Phase II in Thai Boxing under Rob Kelley

• 2nd place Silver in the South Carolina Submission Grappling Championship – Advanced Division 1997

• 1st place Gold in the East Coast Submission Grappling Tournament - Advanced Division 1998

Mark has also trained with and attended numerous seminars and camps with highly respected Martial Artists such Guro Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell, Scott Shields, Erik Paulsen, Bobby Taboada, Rick Tucci, George Mandrapilias, Sifu Francis Fong, and Rickson Gracie.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. “ --Aristotle
 
 
JasonJason Started training in Martial Arts at the age of 8 in Shotokan Karate and received his Black belt at the age of 16 in 1990. Two years late in 1992 Jason enlisted in the Army and joined the elite 82nd Airborne Divison at Fort Bragg, NC and continued training in martial arts until he received an honorable discharge in 1996.

In 1996 He started to train at Scott Shields Martial Arts Academy in several systems and soon became one of a select few students to join the fight team and represent the academy in competitions. Jason has won and placed in many competitions which included Open Division (no weight limit) competition.

On a personal note, Jason is a devoted family man. He and his wife Deidra have 5 daughters that all train in Martial Arts for their own personal development and success.

Achievements.

  • Black belt in Shotokan Karate under Sean Williams
  • Instructor in Muay Thai under Scott Shields
  • Instructor in Jiu Jitsu under Mark Cukro
  • Black belt in Submission Wrestling under Mark Cukro
  • 1st place Jiu Jitsu - Super Heavyweight Intermediate Division
  • 3rd Place – NAGA- Super Heavy Weight Submission Grappling Tournament
  • 4th Place –IJJF Jiu Jitsu – Absolute Open Division (no weight limit)
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    Mark Derek started training in Martial Arts at the age of 16 and has been teaching for the past 12 years. Sensei Derek is one only 5 second degree Black Belts under Sensei Scott Shields in Jiu Jitsu. He also has a Black Belt in Hapkido and is a level 2 Coach in Combat Submission Wrestling under Erik Paulson. Derek was also awarded the prestigious Teaching Award from The Scott Shields Martial Arts Academy in 2004.

    Sensei Derek is not only an exceptional Teacher but he remains and avid student of Martial Arts and is dedicated to his personal growth as well as the development of his students.

    He also sharpened his skills as an owner of the Executive Celebrity Protection Agency by providing personal protection and security as well as being one of the most respected and effective bouncers in the Charlotte area.

    His credentials

  • 2nd Degree Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu under Sensei Scott Shields Coach Level 2 in Combat Submission Wrestling under Erik Paulson
  • Black Belt in Hapkido
  • Recipient of the prestigious 2004 Teaching Award from Sensei Scott Shields
  • Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Carlson Gracie Jr.

  • 2003 2nd place Dale Earhardt Jr. Grappling Classic
  • 2002 2nd place “Jacare” 1st Masters BJJ Tournament
  • 2002 4th Place North American Grappling Championship - Nationals
  • 2002 4th place Connecticut NAGA nationals
  • 2002 1st place South Carolina Grappling Championship
  • 2001 1st place South Carolina Grappling Classic
  • 2000 1st place South Carolina Grappling Competition
  • 1999 2nd place South Carolina Competition
  • 1999 2nd place South Carolina King of the Hill Championship
  • 1999 1st place SC Championship – By Mark Mills
  • 1999 1st Champion South Carolina Grappling Classic
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