Black Belt Magazine is proud to present the finest martial arts training programs from around the world. This featured listing keeps in mind excellence in the training, facilities and instructors' continued growth and achievement in martial arts.
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Honoring Tradition: TKD-Ameris New Kensington PA
Located just an hour outside of Pittsburgh, TKD-Ameris is celebrating its 47th anniversary. Founded in 1977 by 15-year-old Philip Ameris, this Pennsylvania school has thrived for decades. A cornerstone of New Kensington, with nearly 200 dedicated students, the family-owned business has weathered the pandemic with resilience and community spirit.
This family-run operation includes husband and wife team Philippe, a 9th Dan Grandmaster, his wife Jeanne, a 6th Dan who runs the day-to-day operations as Program Director, and their two sons, Philippe, a 4th Dan Black Belt, and Jimmy, a 1st Dan Black Belt, making it a true family-run operation.
TKD-Ameris offers classes six days a week and features three large training areas, a full weight room, private lesson rooms, multiple classes running at the same time, morning and evening classes, and classes for seniors. Innovative programs created by Philip Jr. include: Fit 2 Fight Program A 12-week training camp combining hardcore kickboxing with progressive strength training.
The school respects the system founded by Master Cho Hee-il and trains in traditional Taekwondo classes. “Under Master Cho, I incorporated hardcore traditional training with innovative cross-training elements such as boxing and a rigorous Taekwondo curriculum,” Ameris recalls. “Master Cho was a firm believer in the benefits of incorporating boxing techniques to enhance the Taekwondo system.” Today, I'm proud that my son has innovated my teaching methods and created his own successful program, “Fit 2 Fight.” He has taken his knowledge to a new level by incorporating fitness training and expanding his expertise to training professional mixed martial artists like Cody Law.
“That philosophy remains integral to our approach to martial arts training today,” says Ameris. This mixed methodology has cultivated a dedicated student body, and Ameris attributes this enduring success to the strong foundation laid by his incredible teachers.
Black Belt publisher George Chang recently said, “I had the privilege of training with Philip more than 40 years ago. He is, without a doubt, one of the most talented black belts I have ever seen, both in his execution of techniques and his ability to expertly apply these skills in full-contact combat. He was a natural embodiment of Cho-ryu training, and his physical abilities were matched by the passion and humility and respect he consistently demonstrated for the art.”
Chong added: “I am extremely proud to have known Philip. His method of teaching martial arts is one that honours the traditions of his masters and gives me great confidence that the art will thrive for generations to come.”
Philip Ameris, Grand Master, Owner and Operator of TKD-Ameris, is also President and Business Manager of the Western Pennsylvania Laborers District Council, which represents more than 27,000 workers in the Great Commonwealth.
