CURRENTLY, OUR ADULTS CLASSES ARE FULL AND WE ARE UNABLE TO PUT MORE STUDENTS ON THE MATS WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THEM UP AGAIN IN 2025

Kaizen Martial Arts

Coach John Potenza

Coach John Potenza

Coach Potenza began training in the martial arts in 1981.In his 30+ years as a martial artist he has trained in many styles including: Catch as Catch Can Wrestling, Combat Submission Wrestling, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Judo, BJJ, Close Quarter Combat, Military Combatives, American Vadha Kempo Karate, Kung Fu, Kendo, Kenjutsu, Iaido, Iaijutsu, Kali, Escrima, & Aikido achieving Black Belt rank (or equivalent) in the majority of them. Some of his most notable ranks are:

Certifications:

  • Co Founder / Head Coach: Old School Grappling  Catch Wrestling Association
  • Catch as Catch Can Wrestling (Scientific Wrestling) Assistant Coach: ONE OF ONLY SEVEN IN THE WORLD! Under legendary Catch Wrestling Coach Billy Robinson.
  • CSW Representative Instructor: Combat Submission Wrestling, training under Sensei Erik Paulson since 2000.
  • 1st Degree Black Belt Kodokan Judo: Under Sensei John Saylor
  • Shodan Iaido (Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu): Under Sensei Carl Long & Shimabukuro Hanshi
  • 1st Degree Black Belt Aikido: Under Hanshi Amato Degree Black Belt Karate: Under Hanshi Amato
  • 1st Degree Black Belt Shingitai Jujutsu: Under Sensei John Saylor
  • 3rd Degree Black Belt Kendo: Under Hanshi George Alexander, and the International Budokan Kendo Federation.
  • 2nd Degree Black Belt American Vadha Kempo Karate, & Certified Instructor: Under Master John Salvaggio, (the systems founder).
  • Fifth Degree Black Belt and recognized founder of Integrated Fighting Systems: Under the Combat Martial Arts Practitioners Association.
  • Member of USA Wrestling, “New Jersey State Wrestling Association”
  • Certified USA Wrestling Coach: Copper and Bronze levels certified
  • Certified U.S. Army MACP (Modern Army Combative Program) Level 2 Tactical Instructor: Under the U.S. Army’s 98th Div Combative Cadre, Fort Dix, NJ
  • Wrote the UFS Air Force TTP – Response to an active shooter in an office environment.

**COACH POTENZA IS AN EIGHT TIME MARTIAL ARTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE**

  • World Karate Union Hall of Fame 2000- Instructor of the year: American Vadha Kempo Karate.
  • Action Martial Arts Magazine’s Hall Of Fame 2001- Excellence in teaching Martial Arts.
  • I.A.M.A. Hall of fame 2001- Instructor of The Year: Kendo – Iaijutsu
  • USA Hall of Fame – 2004 – instructor of the Year: Grappling
  • USA Hall of Fame – 2005 – Founder of the year – Integrated Fighting Systems.
  • Budo International Hall of Fame -2005- Instructor of the Year: Mixed Martial Arts
  • Action Hall of Honors 2009 – Outstanding Contributions to the Martial Arts
  • Newbreed Fighters Hall of Fame 2011

**SOME OF HIS MOST NOTABLE TITLES**

  • 2 TIME Vadha Kempo Karate Mixed Martial Arts elimination Tournament Champion:
  • 1st Place -Heavy Weight Brown Belt division
  • 1st Place – Heavy Weight Black Belt division.
  • Super Heavyweight Submission Grappling World Champion: “2002 USKBA Action Sport World Championship.”
  • Submission Fighting Heavyweight Champion: “2003 Gathering of Warriors.”
  • Knife Fighting Champion: “2004 “Gathering of Warriors”.
  • Knife Fighting Champion :“2005 “Gathering of Warriors the Summit”
  • 1st Place Champion in 3 divisions: “The Gathering of Warriors 2005 International Tournament” in Manila, Philippines:
  • Gold Medal – Long Sword
  • Gold Medal – Sword & Dagger Gold Medal – Knife Fighting.
  • 1st Place Champion in 3 divisions “2006 Masters of the Blade:”
  • Gold medal – Long Sword Gold Medal – Stick & Knife
  • Gold Medal – Knife Fighting 2006 S.I. JUDO INVITATIONAL
  • 1st Place – Division Champion

Since 2001 John & Sandra Potenza have been the Owners, Head Instructor & Fight Team Coach of the Modern Martial Arts Fight Clubs in NJ . Producing countless champions & title holders in Submission Grappling, MMA, Muay Thai, Judo & Weapon based arts. 

He was also the Head Coach for 98th Division Combative team – 2012 All Army Combative Tournament at Ft. Hood Texas & 2012 Division Tournament at Ft Dix NJ.