Introduction:

      On this page we will give a short biography on each of (OUR) Grandmasters even though they are not usual Instructors. Followed by our (IN HOUSE) instructors.

Grandmaster Soung Eui Shin:

      Grandmaster Shin was born March 9, 1942, in Han Nam Hae San Jin, North Korea. Grandmaster Shin has been teaching Taekwondo for over 55 years. He holds a certified 9th degree black belt. Over the past 38 years, he has served the residents of the greater Nashville area. His guidance in the martial art of Taekwondo has touched many children's lives, and has nurtured the physical, mental, and spiritual lives of adults, as well. Grandmaster Shin also holds a degree in psychology, a masters degree in divinity, and a doctor of ministry. He has taught Taekwondo and spiritual development for martial artists at Korea's Joong Bu University, Gae Myung University, and Nazareth University.

      "People who have never been introduced to martial arts will sometimes see the Hollywood version only. True martial artists learn how not to fight or be angry. Our understanding of situatuion can change their outcome. It can make all our experiences positive and opportunities for learning. Anger plays a large role in today's society. People die because of impatience. Road rage has become a new word in the dictionary. A person's worst enemy is himself and is always with them.

Grandmaster John Pellegrini:

      Combat Hapkido is a style of Hapkido that was developed by Mr. John Pellegrini, of Joliet, Illinois. Grandmaster Pellegrini started his martial arts training at the age of 11 in Italy with Judo, the only art available to him at that time. Later Grandmaster Pellegrini studied some Kung-Fu in a local gym up to the age of 17.

      While in the Army Grandmaster Pellegrini trained in Ju-Jitsu. Upon moving to the US he received his first of many Black Belts in 1971 in the art known as Shotokan Karate. He then moved to New York and switched to Tae Kwon Do and has remained in the Korean arts ever since. Grandmaster Pellegrini has had many different hapkido instructors with his first being JI Sung Song. He is currently a student under Grandmaster Seo In-Sun.

      Over the last 30 plus years Grandmaster Pellegrini has studied and applied many different aspects of martial arts training. After many years of development and study, Grandmaster Pellegrini decided that Hapkido was in his opinion, the most practical method of self-defense. However he did find several areas of study in Hapkido that were not practical in a combat situation (self-defense). Thus the birth of Combat Hapkido.

Grandmaster Dillman

      Dillman is the chief instructor for Dillman Karate International, an organization of over 150 schools worldwide, with an enrollment of nearly 25,000 students. He has studied under five 10th degree black belts from Okinawa.

      Dillman traveled the world teaching seminars on pressure points and tuite(grappling) hidden within the traditional movements of the old martial arts forms. It is his research and scientific dissection of the old forms that is earning him his most notoriety. Never one to shy away from controversy. Dillman has rediscovered a formerly secret level of meaning for kata movements, ande has made that interpretation understandable to all. He has produced a dvd instructional series on pressure points, and has written seven books with Chris Thomas. Kyusho-Jitsu: The Dillman method of Pressure Point Fighting; Advanced Pressure Points Grappling: Tuite; Pressure Point Karate Made Easy; Little Jay Learns Karate; Humane Pressure point Self-Defense; and Pressure Point Fighting Secrets of Ryukyu Kempo. The books have been said to be, "the definitive martial arts books of the century," and "unparalleled among current martial arts literature."

Grandmaster Higginbotham:

      Mr. Higginbotham has been training in various forms of Martial Arts since September 16th, 1968. He has Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do(Korean Karate), Shotokan (Japanese Karate), Ryukyu Kempo (Okinawan Karate), Modern Arnis (Filipino Juitsu) and Small Circle Jujitsu(American). He currently is host to several major Martial Arts events (foreducation not cometition) in the Indianapolis area. He also teaches seminars to both Martial Artists and non-Martial Artists all over the US, United Kingdom and Europe. He is featured in three of his instructor's books demonstrating techniques. Mr. Higginbotham currently holds the rank of 10th Degree Black Belt.

ON SITE INSTRUCTORS:

      On this page we will give a short biography of each.

Grandmaster Martin Heese:

      Martin Heese was born in Westphalia, Texas. He graduated in 1975 from Rosebud-Lott H.S. with Honors. He graduated from T. S. T. C. in 1977 with A.A.S. in Electronics Technology. He now works for Ricoh Technology.

      His Martial Arts Background:
* Mr. Heese started his martial arts training in 1981.
* He received his first black belt in 1984.
* 7th degree Taekwon Do (Moo Duk Kwan)
* 6th degree Taekwon Do (WTF)
* 5th degree Combat Hapkido
* 1st Dan Ryukyu kempo
* Master Heese has competed all over Oklahoma, Texas and Tennessee.

He has received many Martial Arts honors. Some of these are being recognized in Karate International Who’s Who, being inducted into the World Head of Family Sokeship Council International Hall of fame, Member of the World Karate Union Hall of Fame, Member of Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Fame, Member of USA Hall of Fame, Letter of Commendation From Korea Kido Association, and Letter of Commendation for Meritorious Services froom Korean TaeKown Do-Moo Duk Kwan Association.

He was trained three times in Korea and has attended the World Martial Arts Festival in Seoul Korea.

In 2009 he went on the first mission trip with the World Christian TaeKwon Do mission team which Grandmaster Shin founded to help missions in Mexico. He returned in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2020 and 2023 to Mexico again to help the team on its mission to help the Mexican people.

Grandmaster Heese is married to former Linda McCartney of Waco, Texas. He has a step-daughter Jamie McCartney Karl, 3 grandkids Rhyder Ray, Ady and Emy.

Grandmaster Gary Richardson:

      Gary Richardson was born and raised in Missouri. After serving with the United States Army in Viet Nam 1968 – 1969, he finished his education at Missouri Western University and graduated in 1972 with a degree in Physical Education.
Moving to Waco in the fall of 1972, he began coaching and teaching physical education at University Jr. High School. He taught in Waco I. S. D. for thirty-one years.

      His Martial Arts Background:
* Mr.Richardson began his official martial arts studies in 1980.
* He received his first black belt in 1985.
* 7th degree (Shichidan) Dillman Method of Pressure Points.
* 7th degree Combat Hapkido
* 5th degree World Kido Federation Hanminjok Hapkido Ass.
* 5th degree Taekwon Do (WTF)

      Among some of Grandmaster Richardson’s accomplishments are induction into the World Head of Family Sokeship Council International Hall of Fame in Florida, Member of the World Karate Union Hall of Fame, Member of the Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Fame, Member of USA Hall of Fame, and Letter of Commendation for Meritorious Services from Korean TaeKwon Do-Moo Duk Kwan Association,

      Grandmaster Richardson is married to the former Linda Smith of St. Joseph, Missouri and has 3 children Sabrina Albrecht, Melissa Meeks, and G. W. Richardson. He has five grandchildren Brittany and Aaron Meeks, Austin and Dallas Albrecht and Hunter Richardson.

Master Robert Fowler:

     Born in Arlington, TX 2-24-1964
His education consisted of
Graduated from Hubbard ISD 1982
Texas Christian University 1 year
Graduated Tarrant County College Degree in Criminal Justice 1992

      His Martial Arts Background:
Started in 1985 Hillsboro School of Karate (Shotokan) under Sensei Reginald Scott Messina
1990 Trained under Master Roy Kurban and Master Dennis Gotcher
1st Dan Shotokan (Shodan) 3-22-1991
1st Dan TKD 1991 (Chung Do Kwan)
4th Dan TKD 2003 USMA Moo Duk Kwan 2013
4th Dan Moo Duk Kwan/WTSDGF-MooDukKwan 2013
Master Teaching Certificate WTSDGF-MooDukKwan 2014
5th Dan (Shotokan) 2016 Huntsville School of Karate yudanshakai/UMAA
5th Dan American Karate(Japan/Korean Karate) AKBBA-Chun Sook Hage Kwan
Life Membership World Tang Soo Do MooDukKwan
2000 USKA National Competitor
2016 Joined Shin's Martial Arts
TCOLE Police Training: Instuctor's License
County Deputy Sheriff since 1989 (Retired 01/2023)
School Resource Officer Hubbard Police Department Hubbarrd ISD

     Married to Leddy (Henley) Fowler July 28, 1984
one son Grayson

Instructor Jon Antunes:

      Jon Antunes

      His Martial Arts Background:
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*Black Belt
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Instructor Ernest Albrecht:

      Ernest Albrecht

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*Black Belt *
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Instructor James Lucas:

      James Lucas

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* Black Belt
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