Shidoshi Hurtado has been training in the Martial Arts since 1960. Shidoshi first started training in the art of Taekwondo under the instruction of Grandmaster S. Henry Cho in New York City, at the early age of 7 but only trained for a short period of time due to moving.
In 1968 while attending high school he witnessed some fellow schoolmates being attacked by local bullies. This motivated him to return to martial arts training and never look back. He has trained in numerous different systems including Shorin-ryu, Filipino arnis, USA Goju and most recently Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu! He is a certified 6th Degree Black Belt instructor, who continually strives for self perfection, both in himself and in his Black Belts!

Master Hurtado has also served as a personal body guard for numerous dignitaries and celebrities. In the 1970’s he toured the entire United States with the rock group Tommy James and the Shondells. He also served as personal bodyguard for celebrities such as Sean Connery, James Caan, Elliott Gould, Audrey Hepburn, Tony Orlando and others. Shidoshi Hurtado is also a retired member of the New York City Police Department. As a member of the New York City Police Department, he received numerous awards and commendations for excellent police performance! He was selected and served as an advisory board member for the United States Martial Arts Association, an international organization which required him to network and consult with schools throughout the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the entire United States.

He has successfully owned and operated the V.I.P. Black Belt Champions Training Center since 1974. The training center teaches a mixed martial art (MMA) which is a blend of karate, arnis, Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. He has promoted hundred’s of qualified martial artists to the rank of black belt and higher. He continues to expect nothing but 150% effort and commitment from his students and black belts because that has been the secret to his success!  Master Hurtado has had the privilege of teaching and coaching his students to become regional and national champions in both forms and sparring. Parents love the program because of the positive results they see in their children’s behavior and adults continue training and referring others because of the positive environment V.I.P. creates. Shidoshi takes pride in training and developing tomorrows leaders, one Black Belt at a time!

Personal Thought
We are always on the stage of LIFE, where there are no rehearsals and we have no under studies! Each day is an actual performance and requires us to always be prepared for stage call. We are the star of our own show and the reviews depend entirely on our preparation. At the final curtain call, what will the critics say?


Personal Motto
You will only be as successful as the company you chose to keep! Attract the positive and repel the negative.

Personal Goal
To help others become all they can be through the teachings of the martial arts. Through leadership by example guide others to achieve their goals!

Deshi Randy Kessler

Odessa, FL
2nd Degree Black Belt All Star Team Leader
V.I.P Black Belt Champions Training Center in Odessa

Multi Style Martial Arts Athlete
- Filipino Arnis
- Karate
- Muay Thai
- Jiu Jitsu

Special Achievements
• Honored as “Instructor of the Year”
  by the US Martial Arts Association – 2009
• Training in the Martial Arts since – March 2005
• Promoted to Chief Instructor – September 2008
• Honored with title of Deshi – January 2009
• Member of the VIP Black Belt Board
• Earned a B.A. in Journalism
• Earned a M.A. in Environmental Management

Personal Thought
Serving as a role model is a great privilege and I can’t think of anything more rewarding than sharing my skills and knowledge with our eager students. The most incredible part of teaching is that you learn just as much, if not more, from your students as they learn from you.

Personal Motto
Never stop growing spiritually, mentally, physically; and always be ready to pounce upon every opportunity that presents itself to you.

Deshi Matthew Laping

Odessa, FL
2nd degree Black Belt All Star Team Leader
V.I.P Black Belt Champions Training Center in Odessa

Multi Style Martial Arts Athlete
- Filipino Arnis
- Karate
- Muay Thai
- Jiu Jitsu

Special Achievements
• Training in the Martial Arts since 2005
• Certified 1st Degree Black Belt- June 2009
• Promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt- February 2011
• Promoted to Deshi March 2010
• Earned a BS- Mgmt Information Systems
• Parent and Loving Father- 2 Beautiful Daughters

Personal Thought
Helping the students grow, work harder and reach their goals gives me a sense of pride!

Personal Motto
Never Give Up!!!!

Sempai Lauriann Johnson

Odessa, FL
1st Degree Black Belt All Star Team Leader
V.I.P Black Belt Champions Training Center in Odessa

Multi Style Martial Arts Athlete
- Karate
- Muay Thai
- Jiu Jitsu

Special Achievements
• Promoted to Program Director – 2007
• Honored as “Program Director of the Year”
  by the US Martial Arts Association – 2008
• Received her 1st Degree Black Belt – Feb. 2009
• Member of the VIP Black Belt Board
• Earned a Masters Degree in Criminal Psychology
• Training in the Martial Arts since – Nov. 2003

Personal Thought
Martial Arts has given me the opportunity to give back for all the wonderful things that I have had the good fortune to receive!

Personal Motto
In life there is only one person you have to impress and that's yourself!