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Ms. Dee Nicholas

MEET THE MASTERS

Master Eugene Kim with his father, Grandmaster Kyu Ha Kim

GRANDMASTER KYU HA KIM

Grandmaster Kyu Ha Kim is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished martial artists of his generation. Grandmaster Kim’s credentials and accomplishments in the martial arts world are legion; just a few include:

• Promoted to the rank of 9th degree Black Belt by the Korean Judo Association in 2000; currently one of five Judo 9th degree Black Belts in the US.
• Ranked as an 8th degree Black Belt in Taekwondo
• Graduate of the inaugural class of the Korean Yudo college, now Yong In University
• All Korean National Judo Champion in 1958 and 1960.
• Among the first Korean martial arts Grandmasters to arrive in the US; he began teaching martial arts in 1958 and has been instructing in the US since 1961.
• U.S. Air Force martial arts instructor in Korea
• Named as US Judo Team coach for the Pan-Am Games and World Championships in 1976 and 1977, respectively.
• In 1977, selected to coach the US Team at the first Kano Cup in Tokyo, Japan, a prestigious Judo tournament reserved for the top twenty countries in the world.
• Inducted into the inaugural class of the US Judo instructors Hall of Fame in 1994 by the United States Judo Federation.
• Trained hundreds of students to the black belt level in Judo and Taekwondo
• In addition to teaching at his schools in Brentwood and Cranberry, Grandmaster Kim has taught Judo, Taekwondo and Jui-Jitsu at the University of Pittsburgh for the past 37 years.
  
  

MASTER EUGENE KIM

Grandmaster Kim’s son, Master Eugene Kim, is a life long martial artist who began training in Judo and Taekwondo under his Father at the age of five.  Master Eugene Kim is currently ranked as a sixth degree black belt in Judo and a sixth degree black belt in Taekwondo. He also holds the rank of brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

• Five time National Judo champion
• Certified Judo coach and instructor
• Taught in the Pittsburgh area for 25 years and has been the head instructor at the Cranberry location for the past 21 years.
• President of the Pennsylvania chapter of US Judo, Inc., Judo’s national governing body
• Trained and coached numerous state, local and national champions in Judo and Taekwondo

SENIOR RANKS

Kim's Martial Arts & Fitness is fortunate to have an elite group of loyal and dedicated individuals who have advanced in rank through the years and constantly lend guidance and instruction at the dojo. Meet our Senior Level Black Belts!

MASTER RON PARDINI

Master Pardini has studied Judo under Grandmaster Kim for over 47 years. He is currently a 7th degree black belt and holds 13 National Gold Medal titles. His zeal for competition has been infectuous and has spurred many on to achieve regional and national titles. He has taught in several Pittsburgh locations throughout the years, but his "home" dojo has always been with Grandmaster Kim.

MASTER CHRIS MOORE

Master Moore has studied Martial Arts and fitness his entire life. A lifelong strength athlete, his basement rivals most fitness clubs in the Pittsburgh area. He is currently a 6th degree black belt in Taekwondo and a 4th degree black belt in Judo. Master Moore's extensive martial arts and fitness library is always a source of inspiration and clarification in all aspects of training in our various disciplines.

MASTER LARRY DRISCOLL

Dr. Driscoll has over 35 years of Martial Arts teaching experience. In addition to functioning as the Head Instructor for Grandmaster Kim's City Club classes during the decade of the 80's, he introduced a complete program at Wheeling-Jesuit University for both regular students and disadvantaged youth in that area. He holds a 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo and a 4th degree black belt in Judo.

MASTER MICHAEL HAVEY

Master Havey has studied a wide variety of Martial Arts over the years and brings a wide range of experience to the dojo in various forms of self-defense instruction. He holds a 6th degree black belt in Taekwondo. Master Havey's classes are always high spirited, fun and extremely informative.

MASTER CHRIS MCMAHON

Master McMahon currently holds a 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo and a 4th degree black belt in Judo. He also holds the rank of black belt in Aki-Jitsu, a combat oriented form of Jiu-Jitsu. He epitomizes the family orientation of the dojo as his entire cadre of children - 3 sons and 2 daughters - are involved in both Tae Kwon Do and Judo and several hold black belt rank.

MS. CYNTHIA NICHOLAS-MAYO

Ms. Nicholas-Mayo has been involved in Judo since childhood. The daughter of our beloved Ms. Dee Nicholas, Cindy was an alternate to the 1996 US Olympic Judo Team. She currently holds a 5th degree black belt in Judo and spends most of her teaching and training time at the Cranberry Dojo.

MASTER RICK PLACE

Master Place has been studying Taekwondo under Grandmaster Kim for over 15 years. Affectionately known as the "Big Dancing Bear", he can always be found helping run the monthly Tae Kwon Do promotional tournaments and assisting with self-defense instruction for our younger students. Master Place holds a 5th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

MASTER CHUCK SCHMIDT

Master Schmidt holds a 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo and a 3rd degree black belt in Judo. He regularly competes at the regional and national level in Judo and has been a Silver Medalist at the Judo National Championships. Master Schmidt is a constant presence at the dojo and is always willing to answer questions and assist with technique.

MASTER ROGER GAUGHAN

Master Gaughan is one of our more active competitors, regularly participating in regional and national tournaments around the country. He has several titles to his credit and is always an inspiration to our students. You will regularly find him assisting with defining competition rules and procedures and advising students on proper tournament technique.

MASTER JOHN BORODYCIA

Master Borodycia holds a 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo. He has taught and trained at Kim's for many years and has had his entire family involved in the sport throughout that time. Most of his children have already achieved Black Belt rank at some level.