Our Instructors & Staff Members

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Karate and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students. Here are a few of Tokyo Joe's Studios of Self Defense Belmont's instructors and other staff members, starting with Tashi Frank:

Tashi Frank  (4th Degree Black Belt)  Frank Manzelli is currently a 4th Degree Black Belt and has over 25 years of martial arts experience. Frank opened his studio back in 1992 and has continued to service the Waltham, Watertown, and Belmont area with the finest in Martial Arts Instruction. Sensei Frank is involved with all classes and age groups from white belt to black belt. He takes a interest in the personal development of each and every student.Sensei Frank is a Three Time National Champion Forms & Fighting in the NBL (National Black Belt League). A Two Time National Champion Forms & Fighting in NASKA (North American Sport Karate Association).Also a World Champion in 1995 & 1997 Forms & Fighting in the WKF (World Kempo Federation). He brings this experiance and winning additude into his classes, as he incourages all of his students to be the best thay can be.

Sensei Floyd  (2nd Degree Black Belt) Sensei Floyd has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.

Sensei Amanda  (2nd Degree Black Belt) Amanda is a second degree black belt that has been involved in the Tokyo Joe's System for nine years. Amanda began taking karate because it helps her with other sports. she has been an instructor for seven years and began teaching because she loves helping others achieve their goals. Amanda is also an EMT and a 911 operator.

Sensei Dimitri  (1st Degree Black Belt) I am in my junior year of high school and I have been taking karate since i was about 9 years old. Karate has changed me in many ways, it has kept me determined enough to take all honors courses and mantain a high GPA. Karate has given me the courage to face challenges that I would normally back away from such as various compettions and tough classes in school.

Sensei Anastasia  (1st Degree Black Belt) Anastasia is a sophmore at Belmont High School. She moved to the United States about 6 or 7 years ago from Uzbekinstan. Anastasia loves sports especially skining, karate, soccer, cross country and ice skating. Anastasia has finished 3 years of music school where she learned to play the piano. She enjoys hanging out with friends and larning new things. She has taken karate for about 5 years and has found that she enjoys martial arts more than other sports.

Jessica Lupo  (Green Belt) I am sixteen years old and a junior in high school. I started karate when I was ten years old. I made it up to purple belt, the color of courage and than I decided to take some time off. I tried other sports after that i decided to come back to karate freshman year in high school. I have been through a lot and karate has taught me to keep my self control and impulses under control and never give up. Like the snake endurance is key to keeping me going. My flexibility has improved so much and it helps me kick higher and the ability to move swiftly.

Sensei Tony  (Junior Black Belt) I am 14 years old and finishing up my last year in middle school. I started karate in kindergarten and made it to green belt. I took a break to try out other sports but returned to karate in third grade and have been enjoying it ever since. Karate helps me in all different aspects of my life. It keeps me in shape, boosts my confidence, and even improves my concentration for school. Karate also teaches me to never give up and always try my best.

For more information about the Tokyo Joe's Studios of Self Defense Belmont staff or training programs, please contact us at (617) 484-4350 or by clicking here.