MEET THE TEAM
The experienced, knowledgeable instructors and staff at Ephrata Martial Arts are constantly mindful of the students' best interests. Ephrata Martial Arts instructors continually pursue their own martial arts training, learning from some of the world's best practitioners of various martial arts styles, and applying that knowledge to the programs at Ephrata Martial Arts. Their pursuit of knowledge in the martial arts fuels the dynamic nature of the school and its programs.
The instructors and staff at Ephrata Martial Arts uphold traditional martial arts values while growing and evolving with the students' needs at the martial arts studio - resulting in the possible learning environment in which to develop well-rounded, mentally, and physically accomplished martial arts students.
The instructors and staff at Ephrata Martial Arts uphold traditional martial arts values while growing and evolving with the students' needs at the martial arts studio - resulting in the possible learning environment in which to develop well-rounded, mentally, and physically accomplished martial arts students.
Coach Justin Press
Owner & Head Instructor
Coach Justin brings leadership and over 35 years of mixed martial arts experience to the knowledge base at Ephrata Martial Arts. He received his first ranking in 1981 in West Hartford, Connecticut in Jukido. In his youth Coach Justin trained in various traditional martial arts systems, including Tae Kwon Do, Jukido, Kali, Ketsugo Kenpo, and several systems of Kung Fu. As an adult he began shifting his focus of learning towards different aspects of MMA, including SAMBO, Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Sanshou. He currently holds a Master of Sport in SAMBO under Master Vladislav Koulikov, a purple belt in BJJ, a black belt in Jukido, a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and a second-degree black belt in Kung Fu.
Coach Justin has had the privilege of training with legends in the martial arts such as UFC Champion Rich Franklin, Vladislav Koulikov, Andre Arlovski, and Fedor Emelianenko. He believes that martial arts is dynamic and demands continuous learning in order to succeed. By continually training alongside the staff and students at Ephrata Martial Arts, Coach Justin demonstrates his philosophy by example.
Owner & Head Instructor
Coach Justin brings leadership and over 35 years of mixed martial arts experience to the knowledge base at Ephrata Martial Arts. He received his first ranking in 1981 in West Hartford, Connecticut in Jukido. In his youth Coach Justin trained in various traditional martial arts systems, including Tae Kwon Do, Jukido, Kali, Ketsugo Kenpo, and several systems of Kung Fu. As an adult he began shifting his focus of learning towards different aspects of MMA, including SAMBO, Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Sanshou. He currently holds a Master of Sport in SAMBO under Master Vladislav Koulikov, a purple belt in BJJ, a black belt in Jukido, a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and a second-degree black belt in Kung Fu.
Coach Justin has had the privilege of training with legends in the martial arts such as UFC Champion Rich Franklin, Vladislav Koulikov, Andre Arlovski, and Fedor Emelianenko. He believes that martial arts is dynamic and demands continuous learning in order to succeed. By continually training alongside the staff and students at Ephrata Martial Arts, Coach Justin demonstrates his philosophy by example.
Coach Angelina Press
Administrator & Little Warrior Instructor
Coach Angelina has over 15 years of training and teaching experience, and is a patient coach to our 4-7 year old Little Warrior students. She has an amateur kickboxing record of 1-0, holds an intermediate rank in SAMBO under Master Vladislav Koulikov, is a NAGA medalist, and a black belt in Kung Fu.
Administrator & Little Warrior Instructor
Coach Angelina has over 15 years of training and teaching experience, and is a patient coach to our 4-7 year old Little Warrior students. She has an amateur kickboxing record of 1-0, holds an intermediate rank in SAMBO under Master Vladislav Koulikov, is a NAGA medalist, and a black belt in Kung Fu.
Master Vladislav Koulikov
SAMBO Seminar Instructor
Master Vlad teaches SAMBO seminars at Ephrata Martial Arts several times a year. Students at Ephrata Martial Arts also have the option to be ranked in SAMBO under him. He grew up in Moscow, Russia and began his training in 3rd grade at SAMBO 70, the most prestigious SAMBO school in the world. Under the guidance of Sergei Vorotyagin, a national and world champion, he won and placed in two All-Soviet competitions, as well as countless regional and promotional tournaments.
Upon immigrating to the United States in 1996 and being unable to find a SAMBO gym, Master Vlad joined a grappling club where he was exposed to Jiu Jitsu. He found that his SAMBO background enhanced his Jiu Jitsu performance, and he quickly fell in love with it.
Here in the United States, Master Vlad placed three times in the USA Open and represented team USA in cambat SAMBO in the World Championship in 2008. He also placed and won multiple NAGA and Grapplers Quest tournaments and was awarded the most technical fighter in the very first Grapplers Quest competition winning all his matches by submissions. Learn more about him at his website.
SAMBO Seminar Instructor
Master Vlad teaches SAMBO seminars at Ephrata Martial Arts several times a year. Students at Ephrata Martial Arts also have the option to be ranked in SAMBO under him. He grew up in Moscow, Russia and began his training in 3rd grade at SAMBO 70, the most prestigious SAMBO school in the world. Under the guidance of Sergei Vorotyagin, a national and world champion, he won and placed in two All-Soviet competitions, as well as countless regional and promotional tournaments.
Upon immigrating to the United States in 1996 and being unable to find a SAMBO gym, Master Vlad joined a grappling club where he was exposed to Jiu Jitsu. He found that his SAMBO background enhanced his Jiu Jitsu performance, and he quickly fell in love with it.
Here in the United States, Master Vlad placed three times in the USA Open and represented team USA in cambat SAMBO in the World Championship in 2008. He also placed and won multiple NAGA and Grapplers Quest tournaments and was awarded the most technical fighter in the very first Grapplers Quest competition winning all his matches by submissions. Learn more about him at his website.