Ed Malecki:

Mr. Malecki began his exploration of the martial arts in 1975 when he studied Ching Lung Kwo Shu Kwan (Way of the Chinese Fist, School of Learning the Green Dragon Martial Arts of China) under Sifu Steve Martin (4th Dan) at McGuire AFB in New Jersey. He also briefly studied Tae Kwan Do Moo Duk Kwan (Korean karate) under Sensei Forrest Blair (3rd Dan), also in New Jersey.

In 1984 Ed moved to Ohio and before too long his interest in and desire to learn martial arts led him to the dojo of Papa Jules Pommier at the Okinawan Karate Academy in Maple Heights, Ohio where he has been studying and teaching ever since. Ed was promoted to black belt rank by Papa Jules in April 2000 and earned his second degree black belt in 2008.

In addition to his activities with the Okinawan karate Academy in Maple Heights Ed is also an adjunct faculty member at Kent State University where he teaches Karate & Self Defense. In addition to his work in karate, he also was recently awarded a brown belt in jujitsu by the United States Judo Association.

Ed is married and lives in North Canton, Ohio with his wife and their four dogs. He is a practicing Certified Public Accountant and holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Rutgers University and a Master of Science degree in accounting from Kent State University.

Born February 9, 1965 in Cleveland, Ohio, Karl moved at an early age to Ellwood City, PA to live with his Grandparents. Carmen Beatrice, Karl’s grandfather was an active scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates and owned, coached and managed a county mac team for the city of Ellwood. Karl grew up at the ball field, either playing ball himself, or being the bat boy and score keeper for his grandfather’s team.

In 1977 he moved back to Cleveland and continued playing baseball, he went on to representing the city of Cleveland, in a high level travel team, competing in many cities, and to eventually playing in Montreal Canada. Karl also competed in track and field, and football.

In 1988 Karl started his Martial Arts training with Papa Jules Pommier in Shorin-ryu karate. He went

on to earn his first degree black belt in June, 1994, second degree in January 1999, third degree in

September of 2002, fourth degree in February 2005, and his fifth in October of 2007. In April of 2003 he received his first degree in Kobudo, Okinawan weaponry.

Karl also studied with the MJJA, Midwestern Jiu Jitsu Association, and earned the rank of Brown Belt in June 2002. Over the last ten years Karl has trained with several jiu-jitsu instructors focusing on no-gI jiu-jitsu and MMA training.

In 2008, Karl opened his own school in Hudson, OH. The Academy of Shorin-ryu Karate & Mixed Martial Arts. He currently has students competing in submission grappling tournaments and cage events. Karl’s teaching staff has experienced high level karate, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu instructors.

Jules Pommier:

Jules Pommier was born in 1950 and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended The Ohio State university and received a B.S. degree in marketing in 1973. Mr. Pommier began training in Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu in 1969, briefly under Gary Tiktin, but principally under Paul Keller.

Mr. Pommier received a first degree black belt in 1971. He trained for several years in Isshin-ryu Karate under Sensei Harry Acklin and Sensei Angi Uezu, receiving the rank of second degree black belt in 1975. In August 1974, he visited Okinawa where he trained in several schools. Mr. Pommier also completed the 100 days of Chinese Iron Palm training under the direction of Sifu George Minich.

In April 1980, Mr. Pommier was awarded a fourth degree black belt in karate and a fourth third degree in weaponry. He received a fifth degree in karate and a fourth degree in weaponry in 1985. He earned a fifth in weaponry in September 1989 and a sixth degree in karate in June 1993. Hanshi Mike Hixson promoted Mr. Pommier to seventh degree black belt at the 2nd Annual Papa Joe Memorial Seminar in Cleveland, Ohio October 2008. At the Summer Budo Camp in 1985, Mr. Pommier turned in an incredible performance in a membership challenge match that pitted his bo technique against Paul Keller’s tunfa. He went on to earn a prestigious Daimyo rating in the Camp’s challenge match competition.

In 1975, Mr. Pommier opened his own school, the Okinawan Karate Academy in Bedford, Ohio. In 1984, he moved his school to Maple Heights after purchasing his own building. During the 1970s, Mr. Pommier won numerous trophies in fighting and weapons competitions. Mr. Pommier is a contributor to Sensei: A Handbook for ASKA Instructors and Their Students (2001).

On April 27, 2003 in Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Pommier was awarded the title of Papa Jules. This is the highest award that the ASKA can bestow. It was presented by Papa Joe.