Home to over a dozen black belt instructors in four highly effective styles Saratoga Academy Of Elite Martial Arts is our area's premier martial arts trainings center. From the feet to the ground, beginner or seasoned martial artist, we have a program for you. Youth programs also available in most styles. KYOKUSHIN KARATE our schools founding style, is a full contact stand-up striking based art founded by legendary karate Master Sosai Masutatsu Oyama who along with karate, also held master ranks in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. Japanese for The Ultimate Truth, Kyokushin is known as the strongest Karate. Kyokushin is recommended for anyone wishing to obtain effective striking skills, overall fitness and self defense. Along with stand up techniques our schools unique self defense program also works in elements of Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. Saratoga Kyokushin is headed by fifth degree black belt Shihan James Bruchac (also a black belt in BJJ), along 4th degree black belts Sensei Lenore Norris and Robert Cornute and 1st degree black belts Dan Kunkle and Don Walton ( also our head Muay Thai Instructor, and a brown belt in BJJ). MUAY THAI sometimes referred to as "Thai boxing", is a combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the "art of eight limbs" as it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins. Our Muay Thai program is headed by Kyokushin black belt and amateur Muay Thai champion Don Walton, who was first introduced to the "art of eight limbs" by Dutch Muay Thai instructor Jeremy Rayburn and traditional Muay Lao master Ajarn Nelson Siyavong. Formerly a number one ranked amateur MMA fighter in NY, Don then spent five years training and coaching in Huntington Beach CA at Kings MMA and HB fight club. Most of his formal Muay Thai training coming from Kings founder and four time Brazilian Muay Thai champion Master Rafael Cordero. A very well rounded striker, Don's early training also included several years instruction under local pro boxers Danny Batchelder and Tyrone Jackson. BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU is primarily a ground based art known for its ability to allow a smaller, weaker person to successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique - most notably by applying joint-locks and chokeholds. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) training can be used for sport grappling tournaments, mixed martial arts (MMA) competition, or self defense. Headed by 1st degree black belt instructors and decorated competitors Jesse and James Bruchac
our team, Alliance/NEBJJ, is a licensed Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Founded by legendary Rolls Gracie black belt Master Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti, Alliance is the most prominent BJJ team in the world. Other instructors include black belts Scott Holzworth, Kostas Sikamiotis, Joseph Bruchac, and brown belt Don Walton. Whether wishing to compete, learn self defense, or get in better shape our world class curriculum and highly trained instructors will help give you the results you need. JUDO was founded in Japan by Dr. Jigoro Kano who in 1882 integrated the most effective parts of various ancient self-defense forms into art known as Kodokan Judo. Also an Olympic Sport, with a strong emphasis on effective throws from the feet, the aim of Judo is to utilize physical and mental strength most effectively. Saratoga Judo is run by Sensei Mark Hatton, his black belt son Harrison Hatton and black belt Kevin Mcnavich. Marks younger son Jack Hatton, the winner of many National and International competitions, was one of the United States top ranked Judo competitors before his untimely demise in 2019. Saratoga Judo, which Jack helped found, lives on in "Judo Jack's" honor, offers classes for all ages that teach Judo as both a recreational sport and way of life. MIXED MARTIAL ARTS training is available to students who have attained proficiency in both striking and grappling arts ( usually a minimum of 6 months training ). Within these specialty classes, participants focus on honing their fighting skills for the cage through partner drills and live sparring. Special introductory MMA classes also available. Backed by our diverse core of instructors and seasoned competitors SKD prides itself in creating well rounded fighters with equal chance of victory on the feet as well as the ground. "I have not permitted myself to be ignorant of any martial art that exists." - Sosai Mas Oyama, founder of Kyokushin Karate
