Black Belt Staff

The Liberty Karate Club black belt staff consists of martial artists who devote their lives to the pursuit of karate-do. They strive always to give 100% effort in passing on the teachings of Matsubayashi Ryu as passed down to them from the masters of the art.

Ralph Sanchez  (Chief Instructor)  Sanchez Sensei began his martial arts training while in the military in 1981 by studying Tae Kwon Do in the Republic of Korea. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the United States Army Military Police, he moved to Boynton Beach, Florida and trained in American Kempo, and Isshin Ryu Karate. In 1995 Sensei moved to Orlando and began his study of Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu Karate under Geoff Gaudoin Sensei. In 2003 Sanchez Sensei founded the Liberty Karate Club and joined the Shorin Ryu Karate Do and Kobudo Association headed by Eihachi Ota, 9th dan Hanshi. For the next 5 years Sanchez trained under Ota Hanshi. In 2008 the Liberty Karate Club became a member dojo of the North American Matsubayashi Ryu Karate-Do Association headed by Don Caponigro, 7th dan Kyoshi. Sanchez Sensei is a yondan (4th degree black belt)and is a Certified Coach for the AAU National Karate Program. He remains first a student and second a teacher. "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13" - Ralph Sanchez

Javier Urquiola  (Instructor) Born in Havana, Cuba, Urquiola Sensei grew up in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. He started his martial arts training in Tae Kwon Do. In 1988 he began the study of Matsubayashi Ryu in Orlando, Florida. Life circumstances forced him to set aside karate for many years. The desire to pursue karate-do never left him and in 2004 he returned full time to karate training under the advice and guidance of Ralph Sanchez Sensei. Urquiola Sensei continues to train diligently both as a student and an instructor. "Achievement is the result of consistency and perseverance." - Javier Urquiola

Jesus Avila  (Instructor) Avila Sensei was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Gardena, California. He served honorably in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Fort Knox, Kentucky. In 1997 he moved to Florida. Avila Sensei began his study of Matsubayashi Ryu in 2006 when he joined the Liberty Karate Club training under Sanchez Sensei. Avila's training has been marked by a ferocious work ethic and dedication to training. He continues with us both as a student and an instructor. "To be in a moment when the mind is free to simply let the body/spirit create." - Jesus Avila

For more information about the Liberty Karate Club staff or training programs, please contact us at (407) 484-5124 or by clicking here.