Staff - History

Master Paul Barker has studied martial arts from many sources:

* Grand Master Jhoon Rhee -  Taekwondo (Maryland)

* Grandmaster Ki Whang Kim  - Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan (Maryland) 

*  Master Darrell Ross -Taekwondo (Louisiana)

* Master Michael Tull - Taekwondo (Maryland)

* Master Tom Patire - CDT, HOM DO- where Mr. Barker certified as a Tactical Master Instructor and specialized in Family Protection (New Jersey) 

* Master Barker received his  1st- 4th degree black belt from Master Michael Tull and is still training under Master Tull today. Master Barker received his 5th degree black belt from Grand master Tull December 7, 2012 at the two year celebration of Champion Karate west. 

* Master Barker is now training in Hapkido from Master Ty Hatfield, of World Juntong Mulsul Federation at the USA headquarters in Springville Utah. 

* Master Barker is a retired Montgomery County Police Officer from Maryland and has taught karate programs to all types of people and groups. He has run a successful karate program for children and adults sponsored by Montgomery county Department of Police, The Montgomery County Department of Recreation, Montgomery County Housing Opportunity Commission and Montgomery County Public Schools since 1985 including the Scotland Karate Program, The 124 Karate Program and the Einstein High School Karate Program.

Master Barker has received the following awards: 

* 2010 - Awarded “County Executive Certificate” for serving the children of Montgomery County MD and working with the At-Risk children with your karate program - State of Maryland  

* 2010 - Awarded “The Governor’s of Merit” for a crime prevention program - State of Maryland

* 1987 - United States Secret Service Certificate of Appreciation, 1991 – The Bronze Medal of Valor from the Police and Fire Rescue Services Meritorious Award, Montgomery County, Maryland

* 1994 – Honorable Mention Award from the Police and Fire Service Meritorious Award, Montgomery County, Maryland

* 2003 – Bernard D. Crooke Jr. Police Community Service Award, Montgomery County, Maryland,

* 2003 – Police Officer of the Year Damascus of the American Legion

* 2004 – Police Officer of the Year Montgomery County Council of the American Legion Department of Maryland,

* 2004 - Community Policing Award from Montgomery County Housing Opportunity Commission

* 2006 – Chief’s Appreciation Award, Montgomery County Department of Police

* 2006 – President of the United States Certificate,

* 2006 – Chief’s Service Award, Montgomery County Department of Police

* 2006 – Optimist International Law Enforcement Award – National Capital Optimist Club

Mr. Sergio Barker has been studying martial arts since 1992. Mr. Barker earned his 1st Degree Black Belt under Mr. Michael Tull at Mid Atlantic Karate and is still training under his father Mr. Paul Barker. Mr. Sergio Barker has worked for Bar-T after school programs working as a counselor organizing the children’s activities.

Grand Master Michael Tull has been studying martial arts for over 30 years.  He received his black belt from Dr Shockey from Virginia. He continued his study under his brother Master Charles Tull.  He received his 5th degree black belt from Master Ibrahim Abdulla.  Mr. Tull earned his 6th degree under Master Bob Maloney.  Mr. Tull is the owner and operator of Positive Impact Martial Arts(old name Champion Karate Inc) located at 263 Muddy Branch Rd Gaithersburg, Maryland.  Grand Master Tull is well known in the Martial Art world for his school and participating in Martial at tournaments himself.  

Master Tull’s Accomplishments:

* Became top rated competitor in Maryland, Virginia and DC in 1987

*  Won first forms grand championship in competition with Charles Tull in 1987.

* Head Instructor for Kim’s Karate of Alexandria, VA and Camp Springs, MD 1989 and 1990

* Head Instructor of Mid Atlantic Karate of Gaithersburg, MD 1991

*  Won first sparring grand championship in 1991.

* Became co-owner of Champion Karate with Young Bedell in 1995

*  Coached Champion Karate to 6 Master’s Cup tournament victories between 1995 and 1999.

* Recipient of Governor’s Award for Scotland program 1999

*   Member of Six National Competition Teams, DKT Force One National   Karate Team, Team Prestige National Karate Team, Team Rhee Max National Karate Team, Bull On the Beach National Karate Team, Represented US Fighting Team against Germany in 2003.  US won 17-14

*   Currently a member of Team Universal National Karate Team, North American Sport Karate Association’s #4 Rated Men’s Fighter 2000, Triple Crown Threat (Multiple 1st place winners in forms, weapons and sparring completion), Created blueprint for invitational karate tournaments for Universal Productions 2006, Became founder of the  for teens 2006.

* Grand Master Tull Formed partnership with the City of Gaithersburg 2007. Recipient of awards of appreciation from Montgomery County Police and H.O.C for support of karate programs in Scotland and 124 communities April 12, 2008

* Joined the CVC 2008.  Champion Karate Teen Group, a non-profit organization designed to create community service projects.

Mrs. Carissa Ostrom  started training in Kung Fu at United Kung Fu Karate in California at the age of eight with 4th degree black Belt Scott Todd. After traing for four years she took a three year break. At age fifteen Carissa started training in Taekwondo at Martial Arts Ameerica in Florida under seventh degree Master Butts and fourth degree Master Stephanie Lawrence. Mrs Ostrom her first degree black belt in December 2011.  Mrs. Ostrom trained in mixed martial arts 2nd dgree black belt Jason Donahoe. Mrs. Ostrom is our demo team coach.