Following a long tradition of passing the torch from father to son, Master Ron began his apprenticeship in the early 1970's around the age of two. His formal classroom training started in the fall of 1978. He graduated from Loras College, earning degrees in Marketing and Philosophy. As the son of a Grandmaster, Master Ron Schmitt was instilled with knowledge provided by his father's tutelage. He was presented with privileged and unique opportunities to meet and train with legendary Masters and Grandmasters from all over the world, in different styles and weapons. Combined, father and son have had the honor of training with some of the martial arts' industry's most well-known and respected masters and grandmasters, globally. People such as Ed Parker, founder of Kenpo Karate; Professor Wally Jay, founder of  Gendai Budo and Small Circle Jujitsu, who taught Jujitsu to Bruce Lee; Grandmaster Aaron Banks, who introduced martial arts to the public on ABC Wide World of Sports, NBC Sports World, CBS Sports, and HBO; Grandmaster Tadashi Yamashita, a leading expert in Karatedo and Kobodo weapons training, and Grandmaster Remy Presas Jr., whose family founded Modern Arnis Filipino Martial Arts, and many more.

 

 Currently, Master Schmitt is an internationally certified master instructor specializing in traditional martial arts weapons, offering  40 years of martial arts' experience. He trained under his father, Grandmaster David J. Schmitt, 8th Degree Grandmaster and founder of The American Tang Soo Do Karate Institute/Alliance. In 2006, Master Ron was formally knighted into Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin's elite group of masters, after an extensive three year testing process. Out of 33 candidates he was one of eight to successfully pass all three years. This historic moment marked the first father -son master team in one of the largest Korean Martial Arts organizations in the world. At the time of his promotion, he was one of 250 masters in an organization of over 150,000 member, from 33 countries around the globe. Grandmaster Shin, one of the most widely recognized Korean Grandmasters,  was the original instructor of the martial Arts Action Hero Chuck Norris. Currently, Master Ron an internationally certified chief instructor and 6th degree master in Tang Soo Do. Additionally, he is a certified member, and level three black belt, (Lakan Antas Tatlo) of the American Modern Arnis Filipino Stick Fighting Association, founded by the late Grandmaster Remy Presas.

 

 Master Ron’s accomplishments include becoming a certified personal fitness trainer, and team captain of a six time world championship winning demonstration team. They were one of the only teams to place in the top three for six consecutive championships from 1994-2002.  In 1995 and 1998, he was titled overall Black Belt Grand Champion in two regional championships, awarded competitor of the year 1985-86 and 1989. In 1989, he earned Black Belt of the year and Instructor of the Year. In May 2008, he was chosen to be featured as Master of the Month in the World Tang Soo Do Association. In addition, he has achieved over 100 awards for his efforts and accomplishments. In 2006, Master Ron started writing articles for The Iowa All Sports Paper where his column,  “The Masters Corner”, is featured each month. Additionally, Master Ron is the lead instructor for the Loras College All Sports Camp. However, one of Master Ron's greatest achievements are his two sons, Kolton and Karter, continuing the father-son martial art's legacy.

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