Steven Resell
Steven got his first taste of martial arts as a youngster growing up in Japan. He continued his interest into his teens where he was introduced to Western Boxing, Japanese “hard-style” Karate (Kyokushinkai) and Nihon Jujutsu.
He came to California in 1990 and began training first in American Kenpo Karate under Professor Jim "Yosh" Furuya (in 1991); and Chinese Kempo Karate (Hawaiian Kenpo) under Professor Sam Estrada (also in 1991), his teacher of 30 years. The Kempo training under Professor Sam was focused on body conditioning and developing self-defense skills based on the Hawaiian - Chinese pugilistic traditions, which was similar in mindset to his early training in "hard style" Karate.
Steven has been a student of Mr. Larry Kongaika (8th degree Black Belt - IKKA) since 2007.
Steven is a 4th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate, and a 7th Degree Black Belt in Chinese Kenpo Karate.
His interest in martial arts eventually drew him to Bruce Lee's writings and philosophy and in 1994 got his first exposure to training in Modified Wing Chun Gung Fu. While this training lasted for less than 18 months, it stuck with him and in 1999 he sought out more training in the art of Jeet Kune Do, which he has continued to study since then. Some years later Steven began training in old-school Jeet Kune Do as a personal student of Sifu Tim Tackett and Sifu Jeremy Lynch of the Jeet Kune Do Wednesday Night Group.
In June of 2014, Steven was awarded a full instructor ranking in Chinatown Jeet Kune Do by Sifu Jeremy Lynch. Later that same year, in October of 2014, he received a Full Instructor certificate in Jeet Kune Do and JKD Jun Fan Martial Arts by Sifu Tim Tackett and the Jeet Kune Do Wednesday Night Group.
In 2023, he was awarded a Senior Full Instructor ranking in Jeet Kune Do / Jeet Kune Do Concepts from Sifu Kainoa Li and Sifu Dennis Eli.
On the encouragement of his teachers he has explored many other arts including: Okinawan Karate (Shorin Ryu), Filipino Martial Arts, Wing Chun, Muay Thai, Aikido and Weaponry (Japanese, Okinawan and Filipino); and has black belt or instructor level ranking in: American Kenpo Karate, Kyokushinkai Karate, JKD Concepts, Japanese Jujutsu and Japanese stick fighting (Jodo).
He continues to actively teach and train in Jeet Kune Do and Kenpo Karate in seminars and co-teaches at MAX Dojo in Diamond Bar, California.
He has been featured in numerous martial arts instructional DVDs and Magazines, including: Black Belt Magazine, Combat International Magazine, Martial Arts Illustrated, Budo International Magazine.
You can learn more about Steven and his primary teachers here.
