Sensei Johnny Pickle

Sensei Pickle embarked on his martial arts journey at the age of 10 in 1985. At that time, the only school available in his one caution light town was a Tae Kwon Do school. This school was associated with the Chung Do Kwan, one of the nine original schools in Korea. Our belt certificates were issued through the Kukkiwon in Seoul, South Korea.  After years of dedication and hard work, he achieved his black belt in 1989. Sensei Pickle continued his training, earning his Nidan around 1991.

Our dojo deeply embraced the rich tradition of Kobudō, which involved mastering various weapons such as sai, bo, nunchaku, kama, and tonfa.

Throughout his early martial arts journey, he actively participated in North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) and Mississippi Karate Association (MKA) tournaments. Sensei had the privilege of being part of the demo team, where he not only honed his own abilities but also had the opportunity to inspire and entertain through demonstrations.

Beyond competitions, he found fulfillment in sharing his knowledge by contributing to self-defense seminars. Sensei earned certification from the United States Police Defensive Tactics Association and underwent extensive training in the art of using the kubotan, enabling him to empower individuals with essential self-defense techniques.

In the wake of the closure of his private dojo in 2020 due to COVID-19, his eldest son expressed a keen interest in continuing his martial arts journey. This quest led him to Prather Martial Arts, a dojo that encapsulates the same spirit of hard work, dedication, and tradition that Sensei had come to associate with premier martial arts institutions. His decision to join Prather Martial Arts has proven to be a rewarding one, and he has found great satisfaction in being a part of this exceptional family.