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 JA (Jujitsu America), 4th degree Black Belt and Life Member of USMA (United States Martial Arts Association),  a 5th degree Black belt with Kitoshakai 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 and Spontaneous Knife Defense Instructor for Law Enforcement and Security Professionals through PPCT (Pressure Point Control Tactics) now currently known as Human Factors Research Group/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.

Master Leigh Rossi received 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award for over 30 years of dedication and contribution to the martial arts.

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Senpai Steve Gilcreast – Instructor

Steve Gilcreast 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 Second Degree Black Belt with Jujitsu America. He is the recipient of the 2007 Ohana Award. Steve also holds a First Degree Black Belt under Dave Castoldi in Small Circle and 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

*     Certified SKD Instructor

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Joe Maguire – Jujitsu Instructor

Joe Maguire began studying martial arts in 1998, building the foundation for his striking skills studying Kenpo from 1998-2000. Joe received his first black belt in Tae Kwon Do in 2004 under the instruction of Grand Master Moo Yong Lee’s Instructor, Grand Master Robert Lemire. Joe is recognized as a Shodan with the World Tae Kwon Do Federation.

In 2005, Joe Maguire began his training at Checkmate under Master Rossi and has since been a valued student and instructor. Joe earned his black belt in Small Circle Jujitsu in 2010 at Checkmate.

Joe continues his training at Checkmate and has recently received his certifiication as a Spontaneous Knife Defense Instructor for Law Enforcement and Security Professionals through PPCT (Pressure Point Control Tactics) now currently known as Human Factors Research Group/Warrior Science Group. Today, Joe continues to be an instrumental part of the dojo.

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Nathan R. Boudreau – Guest Instructor

Nate Boudreau 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
• 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
• Certified SKD 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 Martial Arts.

Pat holds the rank of Shodan in Judo, studies Small Circle Jujitsu with Sensei Rossi, holding a Juijitsu brown belt, and is the 2010 recipient of the Ohana award. Pat Cassidy is a certified Spontaneous Knife Defense Instructor for Law Enforcement and Security Professionals through PPCT (Pressure Point Control Tactics) now currently known as Human Factors Research Group/Warrior Science Group.

Pat Cassidy received 2011 Martial Arts Symposium Student Recognition award for his continued dedication to the martial arts.

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Maria Tetley – Assistant Jujitsu Instructor, Youth Martial Arts Instructor

Maria began training in 2001, studying Yoshitsune Jujitsu and Hakkoryu Jujitsu.

She currently holds a brown belt in Hakkoryu Jujitsu as well as a brown belt with Jujitsu America, Small Circle Jujitsu.  Maria is a Youth Martial Arts  instructor specializing in children ages 5 to 7 and has worked as an assistant judo coach since 2008.  Maria Tetley is also the 2009 Ohana Award recipent, in recognition for continued contribution of time and dedication to the all the students at Checkmate and the Dojo.

Maria Tetley is a certified Spontaneous Knife Defense Instructor for Law Enforcement and Security Professionals through PPCT (Pressure Point Control Tactics) now currently known as Human Factors Research Group/Warrior Science Group.

Maria Tetley received 2011 Martial Arts Symposium Student Recognition award for her continued dedication to the martial arts.

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Rick Wolverton – Judo Instructor

Rick Wolverton 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

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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 9th degree in jujitsu, a 1st degree in Karate, and a 5th 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
• 2005-Inducted into the WWKO (World Wide Karate Organization) Hall of Fame
• 2005-Awarded Jujitsu America’s Distinguished Service Presidential Award
• 2004-Awarded Jujitsu America’s Spirit of Kodenkan Memorial award in memory of Prof John Chow Hoon
• 2002-Awarded Jujitsu America’s Wally Jay Award
• 1998-Inducted by Shihan Rocky DiRico into the International Black Belt Hall of Fame
• 1991-Inducted into the Zen Do Kai Hall of Fame
• 1991-Inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame
• 1991-Received Jujitsu America’s Outstanding Ambassador Award
• 1988-Inducted into Jujitsu America’s Black Belt Hall of Fame
• 1983-Jujitsu America 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, and many other notable Instructors affiliated with Jujitsu America.