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Joshua Ryer
Personal History In April of 1994 Josh commenced his training in Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate under Associate Master Gary Ronemus in York, Pennsylvania. It was under the watchful eye of Mr. Ronemus that Josh was given the opportunity to test for the rank of Black Belt on June 27th, 1997. Josh passed the test and was promoted the following day at a belt ceremony in front of the school's student body.
Through the establishment of the club; Josh and Alex were not only given the opportunity to teach American Kenpo Karate, but also the opportunity to host and train with many top masters. Due to these opportunities, Josh had the honor to be accepted as a direct student in American Kenpo Karate under Grandmaster Richard "Huk" Planas and Senior Professor Zach Whitson. As the club became more successful; Josh took the next step in his commitment to teach the martial arts by establishing a full-time martial arts academy in March 2004 in Pittsburgh's east end community of Shadyside. Since the establishment of Ryer Martial Arts Academy, it has steadily grown and expanded offering several martial arts and fitness programs for people of all ages.
In April of 2007, Josh became the first student under CTS Founder and Master Zach Whitson to receive the rank of First Degree Black Belt in the Counterpoint Tactical System. The Counterpoint Tactical System is a hybrid martial art that combines tactics from several other martial art disciplines from around the world though it holds the Filipino martial arts as its substantial base.
In addition to Filipino martial arts, Josh also studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Sonny Achille. In March 2009, Josh was awarded the rank of Blue Belt and subsequently began teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at his academy. To this day, Josh continues to be steadfast in his training and confidently looks towards the future to perpetuate the martial arts; to further the growth of his students; and to lead his academy to new heights. To contact Mr. Joshua Ryer by phone, please call (412) 621-KICK. To contact him by e-mail, please click here.
Certifications February 1998 - Second Degree Black Belt in
American Kenpo Karate February 2002 - Third Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo
Karate October 2005 - Fourth Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo
Karate April 2007 - First Degree Black Belt in the Counterpoint Tactical System June 2008 - First Degree Black Belt in Doce Pares Eskrima
and Eskrido March 2009 - Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu July 2010 - Second Degree Black Belt in Doce Pares Eskrima
and Eskrido
Competition Record October 2009 - Western PA State Grappling Championship March 2010 - Arnold Grappling Challenge May 2010 -
Kumite Classic BJJ Gi and No Gi Grappling Championships Recommendations From American Kenpo Karate Grandmaster, Richard "Huk" Planas
Huk Planas,
Grandmaster From Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Sonny Achille
Sonny Achille,
Sensei From Counterpoint Tactical System Founder and Master, Zach Whitson
Josh's enthusiasm is infectious, his students pick up on his positive energy and respond with their own positive attitude. Josh is what people expect in a martial arts instructor and leader. We see marketing pitches for martial arts schools that tout the positive benefits of training--self-discipline, self-esteem and confidence , etc.-- however many only learn how to fight never developing the truly important aspects of the training. This is not the case with Josh, he is a great example of all those positive things. Josh Ryer is a young man of exceptional character, intelligence, work ethic and natural talent and these attributes make Josh is an exceptional marital artist and teacher. I am glad to know that this inherently good person and exceptional teacher is out there as an example to anyone that cares to pay attention and benefit from training in martial arts. Zach Whitson,
Founder |
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Joshua Ryer was born and raised just south of York, Pennsylvania
in the small town of New Freedom. As a child, Josh always had a love for the
martial arts, but it was not until the age of ten that he would have
an opportunity to formally train. On his tenth birthday Josh was
enrolled into a Taekwondo program at the local Y.M.C.A. His
training in Taekwondo was short lived. About one year
later, Josh's family had decided to relocate to Coral Springs, Florida
which led Josh to enroll at Greg Silva's renowned East West
Karate. It was during this time at East West that Josh was
introduced to Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate. However it was not
long before Josh's family moved back to Pennsylvania. .jpg)
In the summer of 2000, Josh relocated to
western Pennsylvania to attain his Undergraduate Degree in Business
at the University of Pittsburgh. With his commitment to the
University and the realization that there were no
American Kenpo Karate
schools in
the Pittsburgh area; Josh and his close friend Salvador "Alex" Dorsey founded the United Parker's
Kenpo Karate Club at the University of Pittsburgh in September of
2000..jpg)
Understanding that the growth of his students' knowledge depends on
the depth of his own knowledge; Josh has always remained a student in
the martial arts. In addition to training in American Kenpo
Karate, Josh
actively studies and is ranked in several other martial arts.
Because of the significant Filipino
martial arts influence from Master Zach Whitson, Josh has also had the opportunity and honor to
train under Twelfth Degree Black Belt and Doce Pares
Grandmaster Ciriaco "Cacoy" Canete from Cebu City,
Philippines. Grandmaster Canete is ninety years of age and is
a martial arts legend. In June 2008, Josh
was awarded the rank of First Degree Black Belt in Eskrima and Eskrido
directly from Grandmaster "Cacoy" Canete.
Talk
about a strong work ethic, Josh Ryer has it. This will show in
his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program. Josh is a devoted student who
is technical and respectful, always wanting to learn more. He
has proven himself as an instructor in the martial arts community.
I am sure that you will like the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu environment
that Josh has created for you as a student.
Josh is a
career martial artist. He began training at a very young age and
has continued his quest for knowledge while maintaining his
enthusiasm and passion throughout his career. The combination of
Josh's passion for what he does combined with an unwavering work
ethic make him both a great student and teacher of martial arts. But
more than that, Josh has a quality of character that is very
rare, this world would be a much better place if more people behaved
and presented themselves as Josh does. I am honored to have Josh as
not only my student but as a close friend that I admire. 
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