Dave Newell

Dave began his martial arts training in 2001 in Northern Ireland under Martin Rice Sensei and achieved Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) in Dentokan Shorin Ryu Karate in 2007. That same year, he earned a Bronze Medal in the Light Heavyweight division at the WCJJO World Sports Ju-Jutsu Championship and has represented the Northern Ireland Karate Team on numerous occasions in national and international competitions.

From 2010 to 2013, Dave served as Head Instructor of the Queen’s University Belfast Karate Club and was graded to Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) in 2012. He relocated to Marin County, California in 2013, where he has been teaching martial arts for the past ten years. Dave currently holds the rank of Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) and carries the traditional titles of Shihan and Renshi and is the current Dentokan North America (West) Director and leader of Dentokan Centre Of Excellence For Performance.

Mike Cerio

Mike began his formal training in martial arts in 2012 under Sifu Phil Derossiers, earning his Shodan grade in Tactical Kenpo Karate in 2018 and his Nidan grade in 2022. Mike has also trained under Dave Newell Sensei in Dentokan Shorin Ryu Karate, earning his Shodan grade in 2021. Mike has been teaching karate in Marin since 2018.