Authentic Martial Arts

The Authentic Martial Arts story began on August 1, 1980, when the karate school (dojo) was first opened on Missouri Avenue in Largo, Florida. That is when Ric Martin, then a third-degree Blackbelt with seven years of karate training, first began his career as a professional martial arts instructor.

His Sensei was the great Master Toshiyuki Itokazu (Tosh), from Okinawa, Japan. Master Itokazu was the ultimate martial arts mentor. He completely dedicated his life to his students and instructors.

Sensei Itokazu and Ric Martin shared a special relationship in which Master Itokazu vowed to teach all he knew of martial arts to Mr. Martin, who was his senior student and instructor.