Instructors
Master Mike Selmon
Master Mike began his Martial Arts career in 1969 studying judo, receiving a brown belt and having an open competition record of 65 victories and no defeats. Senior Master Mike Selmon describes himself as being "... on a personal mission to get the lifesaving benefits contained in the study of Martial Arts into the hands and hearts of the people who NEED THIS KNOWLEDGE, but wouldn't normally try it." To this end, he has become one of the most innovative teachers in the field, utilizing music, costumes, dance, visual arts and the spoken word to dispel common Martial Arts stereotypes that hinder the general public. Hundreds of people today are enjoying the benefits that Martial Arts offers thanks to Master Mike’s unique approach and teaching methods.
Master Earl Brantley
“I started my training in the system of Royal Combat Gung Fu at the age of eight years old. I was introduced to the system by Master Joe Rivers, top student of Master Michael Selmon. At the age of twelve I started my training along side Master Rivers and Master Selmon. I was the youngest student of both Master Rivers and Master Selmon's to receive my green sash at just fifteen years old. I have been training for just over forty years now. Along the way, I also became a police officer, ending my service with twenty years of service. In that time, I was also a State of Ohio Basic Academy instructor, S.W.A.T. Team member, police defensive tactics instructor, and an Emergency Responders Operators Course instructor with Drive Team. I also have an Associate of Applied Science degree in Homeland Security/Information Technology from Stark State University (Ohio). Currently I instruct classes as well as am an Certified Executive Protection Management Specialist.” -Master Brantley
Chief Instructor Joseph Martinelli
Sifu Joseph S Martinelli started his education in 1997. Sifu Martinelli started his educational training in martial arts with karate. He expanded his knowledge by learning many different systems. His years of training began with American Kenpo and Chinese Kenpo in this system he became a student instructor at age twelve. Sifu Martinelli respects all forms of martial arts and he believes that each and every system has something of valuable to teach. However, when he was introduced to the Royal System-Gung fu in 2008 he completely fell in love with this system and he intuitively knew, that this was his destiny to continue learning this form from Sr. Master Michael E Selmon. In addition, Sifu Martinelli has over two decades of martial arts experience and he continues passing down this valuable knowledge to future generations. Sifu Martinelli continued his training underneath the expertise of Master Selmon and became a student instructor at age fifteen for Master Selmon. When Sifu Martinelli turned twenty he was promoted to Chief instructor by Master Selmon and he has been instructing martial arts professionally ever since.
Sensei James Sesay
James Sesay has been involved in Martial Arts for many years, having studied a variety of Chinese and Korean systems as well as boxing, before finally feeling most impressed and at home with Royal System Kung Fu. During elementary and high school, James began his Martial journey by training in Tang Soo Do (Moo Duk Kwan). Upon graduation from high school, James joined the United States Marine Corps. While serving as a Sergeant in MCAS Yuma, he studied Judo and received In-Close Fighting and knife combat training. He was also a member of an on-base boxing team. After leaving the Marine Corps, James began training in the art of Hwa Rang Do with KwanJang Nim (Master) Tim L. Elliot in Phoenix, AZ. It was here that James began to blend hard and soft movements with linear and circular techniques that can be used offensively or defensively. After many years of study with Master Elliot, he began to further his martial training by studying boxing with Seferino Rodriguez (Rodriguez Boxing Club) and training at Laurita Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. All of the previous martial systems did not prepare James for his encounter with Cranston Forte (later to become his father-in-law). It was Cranston that introduced him to Royal System Kung Fu. James found that this system was beautiful, customizable, deadly and efficient. Learning from Masters Philip and Mike Selmon, and Sifu Joe Martinelli has been transformative and humbling for James. He now wishes to complete his training in this art and eventually open his own dojo, giving homage to Royal System Gung Fu and the late Grandmaster Arthur Sykes.
Sensei Juwyne Alexander
“My name is Juwyne Alexander, I am 32 years old, and I am a martial arts assistant instructor. I have 13 years of martial arts experience and have been an assistant instructor in this art for 7 years. I have had a passion for the martial arts since I was a child, I was first motivated to learn martial arts when I saw the Power Rangers like all kids at that time. Being bullied when I was a kid, I wanted to learn for the wrong reasons. It was only until I started training that I found out the true purpose of martial arts was to encourage, guide, motivate and to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
I enjoy teaching because I feel like it is my purpose in life to help guide students on their personal path of self-mastery. I believe the martial arts can be applied in all aspects of life whether to make a person faster, or stronger physically or mentally. I have found in theses many years of teaching that helping students find out who they can become is the biggest reward I can ever get as an instructor.
Martial arts has taught me so many things that I apply to my everyday life. Because of my teaching I can overcome any obstacles put in my way. It has helped me with my focus, mental health, my structure, physical health, my discipline and maybe more important my humility.
As an instructor and practitioner of the arts I hope to spread what I have learned with others.”
Sensei Dylan Woolley
Since 2015, Dylan “Freshman” Woolley has made martial arts and the students at Uneed Martial Arts his goals and passion. Training under Sifu Joe’s instruction, “Freshman” has picked up the tools needed to push students and enhance their attention to detail. Anyone can throw a punch, but it takes knowledge to do it right leading to build confidence and to settle conflicts peacefully or defend themselves. The Indonesian aspects of martial arts particularly stood out to him as his specialty, fighting low and using surprisingly flexible movements for unorthodox strikes. For “Freshman”, martial arts has become a lifelong journey of self-discovery and teaching through his own trials and tribulations. Even during times of rest he is looking for knowledge in books and philosophy. There is always something new to learn for him. Every drop of knowledge are all building towards opening his own Uneed Martial Arts dojo for a deeper understanding of the art and sharing the journey for walks of life. Seeing the art mold each student and grow with them makes him push himself to learn all he can to pass it on to rising members of the Uneed Family.
Sensei Sandy Vasquez
Sandy Vasquez started at Uneed Martial Arts in 2016 at the age of 14. By the time she reached her first rank, she had made the decision that she wanted to be a martial arts instructor. Sandy has been training and assisting teaching classes for 5 years, working up to be the Knee-High Ninja’s Class (ages 4-6) Coordinator. At first, she wanted to teach simply because it looked fun. Now she enjoys teaching to see the growth of each student and see them reach their own level of artistry. Sandy has a very bubby and animated personality, and she gives that energy to every class she teaches.