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Mark Hopkins, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor. Mark Hopkins
Dojo Americana is founded by Mark Hopkins, a black belt under Carlos Valente, whom is a 6th degree black belt under the legendary, Rickson Gracie. Professor Mark Hopkins has been studying grappling since the late 1980s; first learning wrestling fundamentals from his good friend, two-time, D1 All-American, Vince Silva (see below), then judo with Gerry Lafon. For a number of years he practiced a mixture of judo and wrestling with other grappling enthusiasts in a friend's garage gym. He first heard about the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in 1989 from one of the guys that he trained with at that time. This guy was into JKD and went to a Gracie seminar via Paul Vunak. Mark would hear about Gracie Jiu-Jitsu again in 1992 while reading a newspaper article about Nelson Monteiro, who was teaching jiu-jitsu in Del Mar. A couple of years later he finally saw jiu-jitsu in action while watching Royce Gracie in UFC 2 in 1994. "My very first jiu-jitsu lesson came at the hands of Roy Harris a few months after watching UFC 2. Although I did have some grappling experience my skills were no match for Roy, who I believe was a purple belt at that time. His guard was devastatingly tight and I actually suffered a rib injury rolling with him only after a few classes. I was very impressed with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and continued my pursuit of learning jiu-jitsu after my ribs healed--that was about 6 months later. By this time there were several others teaching jiu-jitsu in San Diego. There was Fabio Santos and a purple belt named Carlos Aveline. I trained with Aveline for about 6 months and received my blue belt from him after 3 months of regular training and no injuries. One of my fellow students there was Odie Neto, who later took over the Aveline Academy. I was later introduced to professor Carlos Valente and trained at his academy from 1997 to 2006. I received my black belt from professor Carlos Valente in 2006 and I am the first American black belt under professor Valente." In his first showing, Mark won the silver medal at the prestigious Pan-Am Jiu-Jitsu Games. Mark Hopkins' jiu-jitsu instruction emphasizes jiu-jitsu for self defense, MMA and sport competition. Through jiu-jitsu training one will attain superior cardio and self-defense techniques, unique muscle toning and muscle memory conditioning, huge improvements in core strength, balance, agility and mental alertness. One will learn their true physical limits and much more through jiu-jitsu training—guaranteed! Mark is also a professional photographer and videographer. At the Carlos Valente Academy he was better known as "Nightvision." See his photography work here: Mark Hopkins Photography
Tony Fausto--Muay Thai instructor Tony first started training in boxing at 12 years-old. However, at age 22, Tony traveled to Thailand and discovered Thai boxing. He fell in love with the culture and the fighting style. Tony quickly adapetd the style to his game and after two months of training he had his first fight in San Diego, CA, which he won by knock-out! For the last 6 years Tony has been training and fighting in Thai boxing. Over the years he has gone back to Thailand to train and fight professionally. His knowledge of Thai culture and training experience overseas brings tradition and authenticity to his classes..Tony has a deep passion for the sport and students at Dojo Americana flock to his classes.
Ké Sneller--Kyokushin Karate instructorKe Ké Sneller started training in karate at age 16 and has been training in martial arts for over 20 years. He competed in numerous regional point tournaments before transitioning to Japanese full contact, which stresses bare knuckle full contact fighting. He has competed at the international level several times and has trained in the US and in Okinawa. Ké holds black belts in Shotokan Karate (Lyoto Machida's style), Enshin Karate (Ken Hahn's style, trainer of UFC fighter Frank Mir), and a brown belt in Kyokushin Karate (Georges St Pierre's style). His Kickboxing classes are a hybrid of Muay Thai and Enshin karate and are a great way to learn effective stand up fighting techniques as well as a great workout. Classes are without traditional gi (uniform).
Manny Torres, Boxing instructor Manny has been a long time instructor in San Diego North County and now brings boxing classes to the Oceanside and Carslbad area of San Diego North County. Manny's boxing classes are offered 5 mornings a week and 2 evenings a week. His hands are lightning quick and his experience and passion for boxing will make Dojo Americana a great place for locals to practice and learn the sweet science known as boxing. His classes are a great way to reach your fitness goals or for those looking to develop their hands for competitive MMA, Muay Thai and Boxing.
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