Joshua Ryer

Personal History

Joshua Ryer was born and raised just south of York, Pennsylvania in the small town of New Freedom.  As a child, Josh always had a love for the martial arts, but it was not until the age of ten that he would have an opportunity to formally train.  On his tenth birthday Josh was enrolled into a Taekwondo program at the local Y.M.C.A.  His training in Taekwondo was short lived.  About one year later, Josh's family had decided to relocate to Coral Springs, Florida which led Josh to enroll at Greg Silva's renowned East West Karate.  It was during this time at East West that Josh was introduced to Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate.  However it was not long before Josh's family moved back to Pennsylvania.

In April of 1994 Josh commenced his training in Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate under Associate Master Gary Ronemus in York, Pennsylvania.  It was under the watchful eye of Mr. Ronemus that Josh was given the opportunity to test for the rank of Black Belt on June 27th, 1997.  Josh passed the test and was promoted the following day at a belt ceremony in front of the school's student body.

In the summer of 2000, Josh relocated to western Pennsylvania to attain his Undergraduate Degree in Business at the University of Pittsburgh.  With his commitment to the University and the realization that there were no American Kenpo Karate schools in the Pittsburgh area; Josh and his close friend Salvador "Alex" Dorsey founded the United Parker's Kenpo Karate Club at the University of Pittsburgh in September of 2000.

Through the establishment of the club; Josh and Alex were not only given the opportunity to teach American Kenpo Karate, but also the opportunity to host and train with many top masters.  Due to these opportunities, Josh had the honor to be accepted as a direct student in American Kenpo Karate under Grandmaster Richard "Huk" Planas and Senior Professor Zach Whitson.

As the club became more successful; Josh took the next step in his commitment to teach the martial arts by establishing a full-time martial arts academy in March 2004 in Pittsburgh's east end community of Shadyside.  Since the establishment of Ryer Martial Arts Academy, it has steadily grown and expanded offering several martial arts and fitness programs for people of all ages.

Understanding that the growth of his students' knowledge depends on the depth of his own knowledge; Josh has always remained a student in the martial arts.  In addition to training in American Kenpo Karate, Josh actively studies and is ranked in several other martial arts.

In April of 2007, Josh became the first student under CTS Founder and Master Zach Whitson to receive the rank of First Degree Black Belt in the Counterpoint Tactical System.  The Counterpoint Tactical System is a hybrid martial art that combines tactics from several other martial art disciplines from around the world though it holds the Filipino martial arts as its substantial base.

Because of the significant Filipino martial arts influence from Master Zach Whitson, Josh has also had the opportunity and honor to train under  Twelfth Degree Black Belt and Doce Pares Grandmaster Ciriaco "Cacoy" Canete from Cebu City, Philippines.  Grandmaster Canete is ninety years of age and is a martial arts legend.  In June 2008, Josh was awarded the rank of First Degree Black Belt in Eskrima and Eskrido directly from Grandmaster "Cacoy" Canete.

In addition to Filipino martial arts, Josh also studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Sonny Achille.  In March 2009, Josh was awarded the rank of Blue Belt and subsequently began teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at his academy.

To this day, Josh continues to be steadfast in his training and confidently looks towards the future to perpetuate the martial arts; to further the growth of his students; and to lead his academy to new heights.

To contact Mr. Joshua Ryer by phone, please call (412) 621-KICK.  To contact him by e-mail, please click here.

Certifications

June 1997 - First Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate
Presented By Associate Master Gary Ronemus

February 1998 - Second Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate
Presented By Associate Master Gary Ronemus

February 2002 - Third Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate
Presented By Associate Master Gary Ronemus

October 2005 - Fourth Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate
Presented By Grandmaster Richard Planas and Senior Professor Zach Whitson

April 2007 - First Degree Black Belt in the Counterpoint Tactical System
Presented By Master Zach Whitson

June 2008 - First Degree Black Belt in Doce Pares Eskrima and Eskrido
Presented By Grandmaster Ciriaco "Cacoy" Canete and Master Zach Whitson

March 2009 - Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Presented By Sensei Sonny Achille

September 2009 - Second Degree Black Belt in the Counterpoint Tactical System
Presented By Master Zach Whitson

Competition Record

 July 2003 - International Karate Championship
1st Place, American Kenpo Karate Self-Defense
1st Place, American Kenpo Karate Team Forms
2nd Place, American Kenpo Karate Forms
3rd Place, American Kenpo Karate Weapons

October 2008 - Western PA State Grappling Championship
2nd Place, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu White Belt Division (155 lbs. and Under)

October 2009 - Western PA State Grappling Championship
2nd Place, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt Division (155 lbs. and Under)
2nd Place, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blue Belt Division (Absolute)

Recommendations

From American Kenpo Karate Grandmaster, Richard "Huk" Planas

Josh Ryer is one of the most dedicated students to the martial arts that I know. He has trained with me for a number of years and will be a future leader in the field of Kenpo and other arts if he keeps on his steady path.  I also call him my friend as well as student and wish I had many more like him as they are few and far between.

Huk Planas, Grandmaster
American Kenpo Karate

From Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Sonny Achille

Talk about a strong work ethic, Josh Ryer has it.  This will show in his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program.  Josh is a devoted student who is technical and respectful, always wanting to learn more.  He has proven himself as an instructor in the martial arts community.  I am sure that you will like the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu environment that Josh has created for you as a student.

Sonny Achille, Sensei
Steel City Martial Arts

From Counterpoint Tactical System Founder and Master, Zach Whitson

Josh is a career martial artist. He began training at a very young age and has continued his quest for knowledge while maintaining his enthusiasm and passion throughout his career. The combination of Josh's passion for what he does combined with an unwavering work ethic make him both a great student and teacher of martial arts. But more than that, Josh has a quality of character that is very rare, this world would be a much better place if more people behaved and presented themselves as Josh does. I am honored to have Josh as not only my student but as a close friend that I admire.

Josh's enthusiasm is infectious, his students pick up on his positive energy and respond with their own positive attitude. Josh is what people expect in a martial arts instructor and leader. We see marketing pitches for martial arts schools that tout the positive benefits of training--self-discipline, self-esteem and confidence , etc.-- however many only learn how to fight never developing the truly important aspects of the training. This is not the case with Josh, he is a great example of all those positive things. Josh Ryer is a young man of exceptional character, intelligence, work ethic and natural talent and these attributes make Josh is an exceptional marital artist and teacher. I am glad to know that this inherently good person and exceptional teacher is out there as an example to anyone that cares to pay attention and benefit from training in martial arts.

Zach Whitson, Founder
Counterpoint Tactical System