FOUNDER…HISTORY…TEAM

FOUNDER

Grand Master Dennis Tosten: Advanced Black Belts in Kenpo, Arnis, Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Kung Fu.

With over 50 years of professional training and teaching experience, numerous awards and membership to the Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Grand Master Tosten is widely regarded as one of the leading instructors in America. Master Dennis Tosten has devised teaching methods for TODAY’S students. From his vast experience teaching and training thousands of children and adults, the AmeriKick system is just right for today’s hectic world – Fast – Fun – Safe – & Easy to Learn. AmeriKick

HISTORY

AmeriKick was started by Dennis Tosten, who began his martial arts training at age 13. Back then classes were three hours long, and only adults were permitted to train. As a 13-year-old, Dennis began his training in Ju-Jitsu. The training involved throwing and learning to fall (on hardwood floors). After he completed his training, he moved on to Kenpo Karate, which consists of over 1000 self-defense moves and requires 5200 hours to obtain a black belt. He continued his training in Kenpo Karate, eventually achieving a tenth-degree black belt, while simultaneously working in Shotokan, one of the most traditional systems, with a focus on strength, power and weapons training. At age 18 Dennis purchased the school from his instructor in Northeast Philadelphia, which was then called American Karate Studios.

Dennis Tosten trained. Krav Maga, Kung Fu, Ninjitsu, Judo, Bando, and Arnis (Filipino stick and knife fighting), and is currently one of the nation’s highest-ranking black belts. He received high rank directly from Ed Parker, Remy Presas, and Joe Lewis.  Competing Nationally for over 30 years, Master Tosten has been stated and nationally ranked in Olympic Tae Kwon Do, Kenpo, Sparring (full and light contact), weapons, and forms. Over the years, he has promoted many black belts who stayed on to become certified AmeriKick instructors. As martial arts became more popular, these instructors expanded to new locations with the new name AMERIKICK, to symbolize a karate system designed for the American way of life. AmeriKick Today Children start class as young as age three and have specially designed programs to meet their needs. Todays’martial arts students can develop flexibility and strength as a way of life by taking advantage of this early training. New children can start from ages 3 – 14 in the AmeriKick System. The curriculum is reinforced to develop confidence, self-discipline, concentration, and self-esteem. Beginner classes are always forming for teens and adults as well. The exciting thing about AmeriKickis that the programs are tailored to meet the different needs of each age group. Adults have separate classes from children. AmeriKick Karate Classes are 45 mins long, so you can fit it into your busy schedule. Cardio, stretching, and self-defense is taught in a way that allows you to learn at your own speed. The class is designed so each student moves at their own pace and instruction level (unlike the mass classes at gyms). Amerikick now sponsors the AmeriKick International Tournaments each year as well as sponsoring the AmeriKick Tournament Team which boasts many national and world champions. Now is the time for you to decide “Where do I want to be four years from now? Four years older, Fit, Self Confident, and a Black Belt; or just four years older?” AmeriKick is proud to present our line of first-rate instructors. See them all at AmeriKick.com

TEAM

FOUNDER: SHARON TOSTEN

Martial Arts Education 9th Dan Black Belt ED PARKER KENPO
1975 Began Kenpo Karate: Instructor Dennis Tosten
1976-98 Active Tournament Competitor on top circuits
1979 Shotokan: Awarded Black Belt by Marc Steiner
1979-1981 Temple University Physical Therapy Program.
1978 Began Tae kwon Do training under Master Robert Leach
1980- Began attending Seminars with Champion Joe Lewis
1983 Trained Full Contact under Golden Gloves and Kickboxing Pro Rory Bussy
1983 Martial Arts For the Handicapped under Ted Volrath and Dennis Tosten
1981-1992 Kenpo training under Grand Master Edmund Parker
1987 Won Australian National Championship in Kata and fighting
1988 Taught Kenpo ad Tournament sparring Caracas, Venezuela
1990 Joe Hess Karate for Reel/ Earned Black Belt TKD
1991 Karate International Action Film making
1991+1992 PA STATE CHAMPION Olympic Tae Kwon Do sparring.
1986-1992 Philipino Arnis and Weapons under Grand Master Remy Presas
1992-1995 Judo under Olympic Coach Robert Karr
1992-1997 Kenpo Karate under Grand Master Joseph Polanzo
1995-2007 Bando under Dr. Moung Gi
2000-2003 Black Sash Wushu with Lei Pei Shanghai Wushu Team
2006 Traveled to China and Thailand studied Kung Fu, Wushu Mauy Thai
2013-Taught martial arts to children in South Africa
1994-Present -President Amerikick Martial Arts 25 Locations 9th dan Black Belt

SAG/ AFTRA ACTRESS, FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER, STUNT FIGHTING
FILM: Creed, How Do You Know, The Last Airbender, Fallen, Wide Awake, Jungle to Jungle, 12 Monkeys, Birdie, Snake Eyes, Jesus’s Son, Sixth Sense, Unbreakable,., Diary Of A city Priest, KICK, SKIRTS, MasterRace, SurRender Dorothy, The Power within, Superfights, Birdie, Delivering Milo, Lost in Palm Beach
TV: ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, ,Deadly Dymes, MTV (Metallica, 38 Special Stunt – Stair Fall ) JAY LENO in Phila, Hack,
No Free lunch TV
STAGE: OFF BROADWAY- Skirts, Sharon Lead Actress, Over 40 Live action Martial Arts shows
COMMERCIAL– Conflicts upon request
ENTERTAINMENT TRAINING:  The Actors Center, Mike Lemon Casting, Heery Casting, John Barth, Karate for Reel, Action film Camp, Orlando Stunt school .

HEAD INSTRUCTOR: SENSI KEVIN

5TH Degree Kenpo Back Belt. Multiple world championships in the black belt division. Winner of the most prestigious award in martial arts the WARRIORS CUP. Winner of Philly Fit Challange: Most Entertaining Instructor.

Specializes in HIGH ENERGY MOTIVATING Classes.  Sensi Kevin teaches both Children and Adult Kickboxing and Karate.