Checkmate Self Defense

Leigh Rossi – Owner and Head Instructor

Leigh Rossi is a professional martial arts instructor who holds a 5th Degree Black Belt under Dave Castoldi and Small Circle Jujitsu.  Additional Ranks include 4th degree Black belt from Jujitsu America, 4th degree Black Belt and Life Member of United States Martial Arts Association, anda 5th degree Black belt with Kitoshakia International and a 2nd Black Belt in Judo.

Leigh has been studying and training in the martial arts since 1978. Leigh is a certified Defensive Tactics Instructor for Law Enforcement and Security Professionals through PPCT (Pressure Point Control Tactics) now currently known as Warrior Science Group.

Having most of his formal training under Professor David Castoldi, his teaching style is a dynamic blend of Castoldi’s Jujitsu, Small Circle Jujitsu, Wing Chun, Judo, and ground fighting.

 

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Senpai Steve Gilcreast – Instructor

Steve began his martial arts training under Hanshi Richie Bernard studying Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu Karate Do. Steve began training in Jujitsu in 2004 and is a First Degree Black Belt with Jujitsu America. He is the recipient of the 2007 Ohana Award. Steve is a life member and First Degree Black Belt with the United States Martial Arts Association. Steve has extensive experience teaching fighting skills.

*     United States Army Ranger

*     SWAT Team Leader

*     Training Officer

*     Adjunct Instructor SIG Sauer Academy

*     Instructor NHTOA & NHPSTC

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 Nathan R. Boudreau – Instructor

Nate Boudreau -Instructor

 

 

Instructor Profile:

Nate is a First Degree Black Belt with Jujitsu America and recipient of the 2005 Ohana award.  Nate has been training in Jujitsu for over 6 years, and has extensive training in ground fighting, studying Brazilian Jujitsu. Nate also is a certified Use of Force Instructor through the Federal Government and State of New Hampshire. 

• • 13 Years Certified Full time Police Officer, Manchester PD
• • SWAT Team Member
•  Training Officer
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        • Warrior Science Group (PPCT) Human Factors Instructor
        • Defensive Tactics Instructor (New Hampshire Police Standards and Training)
        •  Ground Avoidance Ground Evasion Instructor
        •  Firearms Instructor
        • Force on Force Instructor

 

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Pat Cassidy – Judo Instructor

Pat studied Judo under Mr Roy Kirk and later Mr Phil Relnick Sensei at the Peoria, IL YMCA Judo Club in the 1960’s and 70’s.  As a junior judoka, under Mr Kirk’s instruction, Pat qualified for the 1969 Junior Nationals by placing 2nd in the Illinois prenationals. 

In 2006 Pat returned to the martial arts and began training at Checkmate Self Defense under Sensei Leigh Rossi.  At Checkmate Pat has been privileged to study under, and be promoted by, Sensei Bill Chestnut Jr. Sensei Chestnut  and Sensei Wolverton at Checkmate complete the roster of Kodokan trained judokahehas studied with. 

Pat holds the rank of Shodan in Judo, andstudies Small Circle Jujitsu with Sensei Rossi, holding a Juijitsu blue belt.

 

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Maria Tetley – Youth Self Defense Instructor

Maria began training in 2002, studying Yoshitsune Jujitsu and Hakkoryu Jujitsu.

She currently holds a brown belt in Hakkoryu Jujitsu, a Green Belt with Jujitsu America, Small Circle Jujitsu as well as an orange belt in Judo.

 

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Rick Woolverton – Judo Instructor

Rick began his formal instruction of Judo and Danzan Ryu JuJitsu in 1972 under the guidance of his father Jack Woolverton (Godan; 5th Degree Black Belt).

Rick actively competed in Judo at both the state and national levels and held the Florida Sunshine State Games title for his weight class for 3 years.

Rick currently hold the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt in Judo and 2nd Degree Brown Belt in JuJitsu.

 

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Aldo Batista – BJJ / Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor

http://www.aldobatistabjj.com/NewMain.html

 

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Sensei Bill Chestnut, Jr. – Judo Instructor

Sensei Bill Chestnut, Jr. is a Martial Arts Hall of Famer, began his training in 1960 in Jujitsu under his father, Sensei Bill, Sr. At the Manchester YMCA he trained under Sensei Steven McPhil and taught Judo under Sensei Houle. He was promoted to Shodan in both Jujitsu and Judo in 1968.

Sensei Bill then entered the military and from 1971-1973, while stationed in Germany, he taught martial arts to military personnel and police. He returned to the Manchester YMCA in 1974 and stayed for two years before joining the army reserves from 1976-1988 where he taught Military Police.

While with the Department of Corrections he taught correction officers, police officers, and others at the Black Dragon Judo School for 25 years. In May 2001, he retired from the Department as a Lieutenant and currently holds the rank of Shichidan in Judo and Hachidan in Jujitsu.

He has been inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004. In 2002 and 2003 he was inducted into the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Master of the Year in Jujitsu, and most recently, in 2004, was inducted into the United States International Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

 

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Professor Dave Castoldi – Guest Instructor

Professor Castoldi has over 32 years experience in a wide range of styles including, jujitsu, judo, kung fu, professional wrestling, and bare knuckles street fighting. He holds an 8th degree in jujitsu, a 1st degree in Karate, and a 3rd degree in judo. His instructors include Albert J. Castoldi, John Hogan, Master Win Chil Wu, and Professor Wally Jay.

• New England Regional Director – Jujitsu America
• World Martial Arts Hall of Fame – 1991
• Jujitsu America – 1991 Outstanding Ambassador Award
• Jujitsu America – 1988 Black Belt Hall of Fame
• Jujitsu America – 1983 Instructor of the Year
• Founder of West Suburban YMCA Jujitsu School – 1974

 

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Joe Sullivan – Guest Instructor

Joe Sullivan Assistant instructor 3rd degree Black Belt Under Prof. Dave Castoldi with over 15 years of experience in JUJITSU and Karate. Joe Sullivan Has train under OTTO PozzoofOne Step Beyond, Wally Jay, James DEMILE, andmanyother notable Instructors affiliated with Jujitsu America.