About Our Instructors

INSTRUCTORS:

Master Joseph Drabkin
Master Tyrone Whitsett
Mr. Jeremy Smith
Mr. James Lo
Mr. Ari Drabkin
Mr. David Rickford
Mr. Ethan Woodson
Mr. Alex Soumbadze
Mrs. Kathleen Franklin
Miss Lydia Bennett

Master Joseph Drabkin

Master Joseph Drabkin began Judo in 1965 and Karate in 1968. He won First Place in all tournaments in which he competed as a Junior Brown and Black Belt. In 1979, Master Drabkin began Full Contact Karate and became Light-Heavyweight World Champion Jeff Smith's training partner.

In 1984, Master Drabkin formed USA Karate, which developed a complete system of self-defense discipline and philosophy. He achieved Master Instructor level and began training Secret Service, FBI, CIA and other law enforcement personnel.

From 1991 to 1994, Master Drabkin spent time training special forces in Kuwait and other Gulf states.

In 1986, Master Drabkin created a complete series of self-defense techniques designed especially for women.

He was elected Chairman of the World Karate Boxing Association (W.K.B.A.) in 1987, and he promoted several US and world championship karate fights. He also trained 10 professional fighters from 1985-1988, as well as several national point-sparring tournament champions.

Elected to the U.S. Congressional Advisory Board in 1992, Master Drabkin has also served on the U.S. National Strategy Commission Leadership Board.

In 1994, Master Drabkin joined forces with Master Michael Coles (ret.) and founded the Bethesda Martial Arts Academy.

In 2005, Master Drabkin formed DC Martial Arts Academies, opening the Academy's first expansion school in Gaithersburg, Md. Future sites currently in the planning stages include Germantown, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, and ultimately the Greater Washington area.

Academy Instructors (left to right): Mr. Drabkin, Mr. Lee, Mr. Sayada, Master Drabkin, Mrs. Grunberg, Master Coles, Mr. Rickford, Mr. Smith, Mr. Whitsett, Mrs. Franklin, and Mr. Soumbadze