I’ll definitely be mindful of that. Here are the instructor profiles at the school I’ll probably check out:
**<u>Rhon Mizrachi</u>**
Master Instructor Rhon Mizrachi, Dan 5, has dedicated his life to the art of Krav Maga. He has been training for 37 years, over 25 of which have been spent as an instructor. He is the highest ranking practitioner of Krav Maga residing in the United States who is not self-ranked. He is a founding member of Krav Maga International-Kapap. In 2003, Rhon was certified as “Master Instructor” by Grandmaster Haim Zut. Rhon is the only Krav Maga instructor in the United States who has been given this title. Rhon is an eighth-generation Israeli and was born in Hadera and raised on Kibbutz Gan Shmu’el. He began his training at the age of seven under the instruction of Haim Zut and Imi Lichtenfeld. In November 1981, Rhon began his military service, volunteering for the paratrooper brigade, Hativat Tzanchanim, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. He entered Lebanon in early June, 1982, taking part in the initial assault of the First War against Lebanon. He spent most of his military service inside Lebanon or patrolling the Israeli border with Syria. During the war, he continued his Krav Maga training, and towards the end of his military career he was recruited to teach Krav Maga to his unit. When his military service ended in 1984, he returned home with a deeper commitment to continuing his training with Haim Zut, determined to instill in other people the sense of right and responsibility to defend oneself, one’s family, and one’s homeland. It is because of these beliefs that Rhon not only continues to teach Krav Maga, but also continues to train Instructors, ensuring that Krav Maga taught outside of Israel will remain at the highest level.
**<u>Peter Muldoon</u>**
Peter Muldoon is from Ireland and has been involved in martial arts for over 20 years since taking up boxing at the age of 10. Since that time Mr. Muldoon has participated in a number of martial arts prior to Krav Maga. The main focus being Judo over a period of ten years, competing extensively and winning amateur All-Ireland titles. Mr. Muldoon received his 3rd Dan Black Belt in 2003, 2nd Dan Black Belt in 2001, and his 1st Dan Black Belt in 1998 from Haim Sut-President of Krav Maga International in Israel.
He has been a certified Instructor since July 1998, certified by both Wingate Institute in Israel and Krav Maga International. He currently teaches at Krav Maga Inc. in New York. His interests include freestyle sparring which he enthusiastically pursues using his eclectic martial arts background to adapt to any given situation. Mr. Muldoon also teaches classes specializing in chokes, strangles, arm locks and groundwork, drawing on elements from both his Krav Maga and Judo backgrounds. Mr. Muldoon was a founding member of The American Association of Krav Maga Instructors, Inc. a not-for-profit organization created to promote Krav Maga and to provide Self- Defense training for the general community.
**<u>Matt Suroff</u>**
Matthew Suroff began his training in 1993 at the age of seventeen when he started boxing at the PAL in Westbury New York. In 1995 Matt started training in Krav Maga under Master Rhon Mizrachi in N.Y.C… He obtained his Instructor certification from Grandmaster Haim Zut and the Wingate Institute in 1998. He obtained his black belt from Grandmaster Haim Zut and Rhon Mizrachi in 2001. Matthew teaches classes for students of all ages and levels, as well as privately. Matthew is Vice President of Sock Bandit Productions, Inc., a Production, Publishing and Management Company in NY and LA.(currently teaching at the Sol Goldman Y)
**<u>Katrina Kothe-Reynolds</u>**
Katrina Reynolds is the highest-ranking female Krav Maga Instructor and the highest-ranking female student in The United States recognized by the State of Israel. Mrs. Reynolds received her 1st Dan Black Belt in 2001, from Haim Zut-President of Krav Maga International-Kapap in Israel. She teaches classes for students of all ages and levels, specializing in Women’s self- defense/awareness. Mrs. Reynolds also teaches in community centers, after-school programs as well as privately. She is certified by The Wingate Institute, the most prestigious institution of physical fitness and health related education in Israel, and The Krav Maga Academy in Israel. Katrina was a founding member of The American Association of Krav Maga Instructors, a non-for profit organization created to promote Krav Maga and to provide self-defense training for the general community. She currently holds certification in American Red Cross CPR. Other interests include cycling and snowboarding.(Currently teaching in Salt Lake City)
**<u>Frank Colon</u>**
Fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, Frank Colon teaches classes for students of all levels and ages, specializing in private training sessions for middle-age and senior citizens. He has been certified as an Instructor by both the Wingate Institute (Israel’s National Center for Physical Education and Sport) and Krav Maga International since July 1998. Frank currently holds the rank of black belt, received in 2003 from Grandmaster Haim Zut, President of Krav Maga International in Israel. Frank is a founding member and former Vice-President of The American Association of Krav Maga Instructors, Inc., (AAKMI) a not-for-profit organization created to promote Krav Maga and to provide Self-Defense training for the general community. Frank is certified in Adult CPR and First Aid by the American Red Cross Association. With 35 years of practical experience, Frank is also certified to teach Yang Style Tai-Chi Chuan. He also currently trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as a member of the Alliance BJJ team of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Frank is a professional musician, with credits on over 100 record albums. He is also a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Divemaster. He is currently teaching privately in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.(www.frankcolon.com)
**<u>Dror Bikel</u>**
Dror Bikel began training in Krav Maga in Israel in 1987 and with Master Rhon Mizrachi in New York in 1994. He obtained his Instructor certification from Grandmaster Haim Zut and the Wingate Institute in 1998. He obtained his black belt from Grandmaster Zut and Master Uri Rafaeli in 2004. He is a founding member, along with Master Mizrachi and Seth Rosen, of the Krav Maga Federation, and has been appointed as its President. He has also trained in boxing with Michael Olijide at the Kingsway Boxing Center. Dror currently teaches at Krav Maga Inc. in New York
**<u>Terry Ciancio</u>**
Terry Ciancio was born in Chicago and raised in New York City. Previously active in Judo and Tae Kwon Do, he has been training in Krav Maga under Master Instructor Rhon Mizrachi since 1991. Mr. Ciancio was certified to teach by the Wingate Institute and Krav Maga International in July 2003, and he has been teaching students of all ages and levels since. In addition to his group classes, he is available for private instruction. Mr. Ciancio’s free time is spent in the pursuit of all things extreme, including motorcycle racing, mountain biking and downhilling, and snowboarding. Mr. Ciancio was drawn to Krav Maga beceause of the logic of the system and he continues to be inspired by its practical and effective techniques.(currently teaching at the Sol Goldman Y)
**<u>Cory Bragar</u>**
Cory Bragar has over twenty years of martial arts experience. She began studying Taekwondo at age 7 and eventually opened her own school. After studying both Taekwondo and Hapkido, she began her study of Krav Maga in 1997. In 2003, Ms. Bragar received her instructor certification from Haim Zut, President of Krav Maga International/Kapop, and is certified by the Wingate Institute in Israel. Ms. Bragar teaches classes for students of all ages, specializing in children’s classes. Ms. Bragar teaches classes for children at the Rodeph Shalom School, Tuesdays 3:30-5:00pm.
**<u>Ed Maisonet</u>**
Ed Maisonet began training in Krav Maga early 2003 under Master Instructor Rhon Mizrachi. Ed began teaching Krav Maga early 2005 under the supervision of Rhon Mizrachi at Krav Maga Inc (John Jay College, NYC). In 2005 Ed Maisonet opened Krav Maga Staten Island while continuing his Krav Maga Training. Ed brings with him a lifetime of paying attention to detail while growing up on the Lower Eastside of New York City. Ed served in the United States Navy and participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Ed has worked as an armed guard with the responsibilities of protecting people, currency and property. As well as working as a personal driver/bodyguard for several high profile clients in the NYC area. Most importantly, Instructor Maisonet has demonstrated a unique ability to positively affect the students in his class. He has exceptional charisma on the training mat, and has the ability to communicate material and technique in an accessible and often entertaining manner. His students are challenged appropriately, and leave his classes inspired for the next class. Significantly, Instructor Maisonet has demonstrated the priority that the Federation places on maintaining safety in all classes.
**<u>Piotr Tuznik</u>**
Piotr Tuznik was born in Poland and emmigrated to the United States at the age of thirteen. He began training in Krav Maga with Master Instructor Rhon Mizrachi and Katrina Kothe-Reynolds, Dan1. He is a certified Krav Maga Instructor, having successfully completed an Instructor’s course given by Rhon Mizrachi. Pete currently teaches Krav Maga at John Jay College, and continues his training there as well. He has cross trained in boxing, and has begun to compete in the sport. In 2001, Piotr graduated from the Tom Brown Jrs. Tracker School of Wilderness Survival and, in 2003, survived in the wilderness for 2 weeks armed only with a knife. He continues to passionately learn the ancient skills of survival,including tracking, flintknapping, and awareness. Pete’s goals in the future are to spend one year surviving in the wilderness with only a knife, and, having completed that successfully, (which we know he will) he plans on opening a school of Krav Maga and “continuing Rhon’s legacy”.
**<u>Wyatt Knaster</u>**
Wyatt Knaster has been practicing Krav Maga under the direction of Master Instructor Rhon Mizrachi and Katrina Kothe-Reynolds, Dan 1, since 2003. He has cross-trained in Muy Thai, and will spend the summer of 2007 training in Thailand. After completing an Instructor course, given by Rhon Mizrachi, Wyatt ran a Krav Maga program for 6th graders in a public school in Washington Heights(2005). Outside accomplishments include a Masters Degree in Secondary Math Education, which he will use to continue teaching in the New York City public school system. Other interests include street art, film and travel.