BIO: Instructor Mr. Jairo Rosa Sr. Aka (J.R.)

I have over 30 years of combined martial arts training, holding a 3rd-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a 4th-degree black belt in Krav Maga Tactical Combat Self-Defense. Additionally, I have achieved a 3rd level in Muay Thai kickboxing and have trained in Kali, Escrima, and Karambit in Filipino Martial Arts. I trained with the World Taekwondo Federation Kukkiwon from 1983 to 1993, during which time I competed in junior and senior tournaments in California, Florida, Texas, and New Jersey.

In 1993, I joined the U.S. Marine Corps for four years, where I trained in Krav Maga Tactical Combat and hand-to-hand combat. I continued to train while in the reserves and spent an additional eight years training in Israeli Krav Maga Combat. I also trained for six years at Title Boxing, focusing on kickboxing and Muay Thai.

Currently, I am a member of USA-GTF, Global Taekwon-Do Federation, training under Sr. Master William Rosado, an 8th-degree black belt, who has generously shared the knowledge imparted to him by our late founder, Grandmaster Park Jung Tae. I am also currently the president and CEO of our first T.M.F.A. NJ Krav Maga Tactical Combat Federation with current affiliated and certified locations in Tampa, FL.

Presently, I serve as the head instructor for the Taekwondo Mixed Martial Arts Fitness Academy (T.M.F.A.) in Woodland Park, NJ. I work under the ownership of Mrs. Sunee Quiles, who has been involved with USA-GTF for the last 30 years. In 2022, at the USA-GTF Invitational tournament, I was honored to receive the Instructor of the Year award from USA-GTF. I would like to express my gratitude to Grandmaster Christopher Gantner of USA-GTF for welcoming me into their GTF family.