Our Strength

Godan  (5th Degree Black-Belt) - Master Thaxton is the founder and head instructor of Thaxton Martial Arts. His formal training is in the areas of Isshinryu  Karate, Kickboxing  and  Kyusho Jitsu (pressure-point application).  Sensei Thaxton  first  began  his training in  Isshinryu  Karate under the instruction of  the late Grand Master Ernie Temple.   After obtaining advanced rank, he went on to work several years as an assistant instructor in  Master Temple's  program.  During this time Sensei Thaxton also began training in Kickboxing also obtaining advanced  rank.  Eventually, Sensei  Thaxton  went  on  to  teach  Karate  and  self-defense  for  the Piscataway Board of Education Adult Education program where he started several adult and children programs in Karate and self-defense.  Sensei Thaxton also studied Kyusho Jitsu under the instruction of Grand Master Mark Kline, applying  pressure-point  application  to  the  Isshinryu  system  of  katas.  Master Kline promoted Sensei Thaxton to 4th dan.  Sensei Thaxton was promoted to 5th dan by Hanshi Don Vitale, Hanshi Don Nash, Hanshi Ralph Passero and Hanshi Mark Kline. Master Thaxton continues to enthusiastically work with students teaching the arts of Karate, Kickboxing and Self-Defense.

Yondan  (4th Degree Black-Belt) - Master Hosford is the co-founder and a senior instructor of Thaxton Martial Arts.  Her formal training is in the area of Isshinryu  Karate.  Master Hosford  first  began her  training in  Isshinryu  Karate  under the instruction of  the late Grand  Master  Ernie Temple.   She  went  on  to  join  Sensei Thaxton  at  his  Piscataway  Board  of  Education  Adult  Education  Karate and self-defense programs in 2009.  Master  Hosford  brings  a  very  unique  and  insightful  perspective  to  self-defense  application, and  is  an enthusiastic and committed  martial  arts  instructor.

Yondan  (4th Degree Black-Belt) - Sensei Patel commenced her Isshinryu training under Master Thaxton in 2009. She exemplifies the grace, character, accountability, faithfulness, perseverance, and discipline that we look for in a student and particularly a black-belt.  She is an amazing role model for the dojo.  We are so proud to have Sensei Patel as part of our dojo.

Nidan  (2nd Degree Black-Belt) - Sensei Gibbions is a deacon at the Cathedral International Second Baptist Church of Perth Amboy, NJ, an attending physician at the Family Medicine at Atlantic Health System - The Medical Institute of New Jersey, Cedar Knolls, husband and father of two.  He commenced his Isshinryu training under Master Thaxton in 2010.  He also holds Shodan rank in Shotokan.  Dr. Gibbions exemplifies the character, accountability, perseverance, and discipline that we look for in a student and martial arts. He is an exemplary role model.  We are proud to have Sensei Gibbions as part of our dojo.

Shodan Teiugu  (1st Degree Black-Belt )  - Sensei Cualizares commenced her Isshinryu training at Thaxton Martial Arts in 2020.  She is an honor student in not one, but in all of her subjects, In addition, she is a member of The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), participates in chior, and is on the dance team of her high school.  Sensei Jormey volunteers regularly at a food bank, and with helping the community in need.  She is one of the humblest, most kind hearted and coachable students that I have ever had the please of coaching.  We are so very proud to have Sensei Cualizares as as part of our dojo.

Shodan Teiugu  (1st Degree Black-Belt )  - Sensei Parwani began his Isshinry training at Thaxton Martial Arts in 2019. He is a focused young man who excels academically as an honors student, and who is passionate about his interests and sports.  He is also an active member of his high school's Student Council. We have walked Sensei Veir grow and are proud of the young man that he is devloping into.  He is a natural leader.  We are so very proud to have Sensei Parwani as part of our dojo.

Shodan Teiugu  (1st Degree Black-Belt )  - Sensei Cualizares began his Isshinry training at Thaxton Martial Arts in 2020 together with his siblings. He has always shown himself to be a faithful,  coachable and hard working student.  We are so very proud to have Sensei Cualizares as part of our dojo.

Shodan Teiugu  (1st Degree Black-Belt )  - Sensei Mejias began his Isshinryu training at Thaxton Martial Arts in 2020. It has been a pleasure to the dojo to watch Sensei Jayden develop as a young man.  He is a natural athlete and is involved in multiple activities, such as digital film classes, acting, modeling, shows, playing chess and reading. Despite his many activities, Sensei Jayden is a super coachable, welcoming, and hard working martial artist. We are so very proud to have Sensei Mejias as part of our dojo.