Sensei Anthony S. Russo is a retired U.S. Navy Veteran and an Internationally recognized Sixth Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate and the American Asian Combat System.

Sensei Russo began his martial arts training career in 1976, at the age of 13, under the instruction of Master Don Bitanga at "The Martial Arts Center", in Beltsville, Maryland.  The Martial Arts Center was an amazing and unique school that integrated the teachings of Okinawan Shorin Ryu with the influences of western boxing, kick-boxing, jui jitsu and Phillippine martial arts techniques and weapons training.

In 1982, while stationed with the United States Navy in Kamiseya, Japan, Sensei Russo earned his Shodan, Nidan and Sandan (1st, 2nd and 3rd Degree Black Belts) under Sensei Riyogi Naito, 4th Dan. From 1983-1985, Sensei Russo enjoyed a succesful full-contact kick-boxing career at the the Ceasar Gym in Yamato, Japan, under the instruction of Ceasar Takeshi (former All Japan Kickboxing Welter Weight Champion) and the World Kick-Boxing Association (WKBA).

The photo below was taken in Tokyo Japan, the day Sensei Russo tested and succesfully earned the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt.

From 1985-1989, while stationed at the Naval Air Station in Barbers Point, Hawaii, Sensei Russo studied the art of Kyokushin Kai under Shihan Bobby Lowe.  Shihan Lowe is credited with the first "School of Oyama" founded outside Japan, and opened in 1957.

From 1989-1998, Sensei Russo owned and operated several Universal Martial Arts Schools locations throughout Maryland; in Howard, Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties and in Soda Springs, Idaho.

Sensei Russo was a member of the Beikoku Shidokan under Seikichi Iha, 10th Dan, Lansing, Michigan from 1996 through 1998.

Sensei Russo continues as a student of Master Don Bitanga.