All AMA instructors are dedicated to the development of our students. If you have any questions or concerns about AMA policies, or any special needs, please feel free to speak to your instructor or the President of the North American Chinese Kenpo Karate Association, Mr. Abel C. Leos.

SIFU ABEL LEOS, CHIEF INSTRUCTOR

5TH DEGREE KENPO KARATE BLACK BELT

Abel established Abel's Martial Arts in 1993.

Occupation: 

Abel’s Martial Arts – Owner, Chief Instructor

Baking Specialist (HEB, 30 years)

Martial Arts Training/Experience:

1979 to Present – Teaching Chinese Kenpo Karate (28 years) and self- defense classes at local businesses,

          organizations, and military bases

1995 to 2007 – Teaching Tai Chi (12 years)

2003 to 2006 – Karate/Self-Defense Instructor, Randolph AFB Youth Center

1998 to 2000 – Women’s Self-Defense Class Instructor, Humana Hospital, San  Antonio, Texas

1995 to Present – President, North American Chinese Kenpo Karate Association

1996 – Established Abel’s Martial Arts (Chinese Kenpo Karate School)

1996 – Tai Chi (Yang Style) Instructor Certification

1995 – 5th Degree Chinese Kenpo Karate Black Belt (with Sifu Jeff Smith)

1986 – 1st Degree Chinese Kenpo Karate Black Belt (with Sifu Gary Swan)

1977 – Chinese Kenpo Karate Training (with Sifu Gary Swan)

1968 to 1977 – Informal Martial Arts Training in Kenpo

Modalities:

1995 – Massage Therapy Certification

1994 – Reflexology Certification, The Institute of Oriental Studies, San Antonio, Texas

1994 – Massage Program, St. Phillip’s College, San Antonio, Texas (Award of Over Achievement)

Awards:

2007 – Asian Pacific American Heritage Month--May 2007 Award

Interests: 

All Sports, Cross-Stitch, Youth Ministry/Working With Children

SIMU SARAH SAMPAYO

1st DEGREE CHINESE KENPO KARATE BLACK BELT

Martial Arts Training/Experience:

2008 – 1st Degree Chinese Kenpo Karate Black Belt (with Sifu Abel Leos)

2006 – 2nd Degree Tae Kwon Do Green Belt (with Sensei Richard Johnson)

2005 – Progressive Karate and Kobudo Green Belt (with Master Dhaamin Shakur)

1994 to 1996 – Jing Tae Jutsu (with Soke Fred Givens) an eclectic combat style developed by Mr. Givens that

           included the following styles:  Shotokan, Kenpo, Shito Ryu, Tai Chi, Judo, Aikido, Jujitsu, Aikujitsu,

           Wing Chun, Kowlee, Shorinjiru, Tae Kwon Do)

Interests: 

Gardening, Religious Apologetics, Mediation, Church-State Legal Issues, Home-schooling Her 3 Children

Tai Chi Instructor--Michael J. O'Brien

Martial Arts Training/Experience:

1999 to present—Studied Yang-Style Taijiquan, San Antonio TX.  Taijiquan training included Yang-Style short

          form, Yang-Style long form, Yang-Style saber, Yang-Style sword, Chen-Style push hands, and Chen-Style

          fan.

1998-1999—Studied Cheng-Style Tai Chi, in San Antonio, TX

1972-2001—Military career in the U.S. Army.  Initially serving in Vicenza, Italy through 1976.  Duties included

          organizations, overall training and fitness programs to include training in hand-to-hand fighting 

          techniques.

1971 (summer)—Self-defense instructor, at Reserve Officer Training Camp, Indiantown Gap Military

          Reservation, PA

1968-1970 (summers)—Practiced Judo at St. Francis Xavier gymnasium, Pittsburg, PA

September 1968-May 1970—Ju Jitsu at the University of Dayton, Dayton, OH

Awards:

2007 – Asian Pacific American Heritage Month--May 2007 Award

SENSEI RICHARD GONZALES

INSTRUCTOR AND ADVISOR

2ND DEGREE KOREAN TAE KWON DO  

BLACK BELT

Occupation: 

U.S. Army (SFC, Retired)

Upholstery Business Owner

Martial Arts Training/Experience:

2002 – Instructor, Abel’s Martial Arts

1995 – 2nd Degree Korean Tae Kwon Do Black Belt

1992 – 1st Degree Korean Tae Kwon Do Black Belt after training for 23 years

1969 to 1970 – Korean Tae Kwon Do/Tang Soo Do (with Sensei Chin Moon Wong)

Interests: 

Furniture Repair, Upholstery, Golfing, Bowling, Knights of Columbus

SENSEI JAIME SAMPAYO

INSTRUCTOR AND ADVISOR

1ST DEGREE SHOTOKAN KARATE

BLACK BELT

Occupation: 

U.S. Air Force (Lt Col) Lawyer

Martial Arts Training/Experience:

1985 – 1st Degree Shotokan Karate Black Belt (with Sensei Osvaldo Avila)

1980 – Shotokan Karate Brown Belt (with Sensei Alfredo Quintanilla) after training 11 years

Interests: 

Reading, Music, Movies, Racquetball, Knights of Columbus