IMAF Head Instructor - Master Don Edwards

 

Guro Don competing in Manila with the US National Team

 

Our Head Instructor, Master Don Edwards has almost 30 years experience in Martial Arts. His experience has been one of cross training gaining expert experience in a number of different style. With a 6th degree black belt in Doce Pares Eskrima, Full Instructorship in JKD, 3rd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, a Purple Belt in BJJ  combined with 15 years experience in grappling  and a CERTIFIED ISSA PERSONAL FITNESS TRAINER. Master Edwards brings an enormous diversity of experience into each and every class!

Guro Edwards has appeared in Black Belt Magazine as well as Martial Arts Training Magazine and is included in GM "Diony" Canete's book Philippine Martial Arts - Eskrima, Kali, Arnis.  Guro Edwards was also nominated to the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Martial Artist of the Year on April 26, 1997 and appeared in the July 2000 TLC Martial Arts Documentary  "Martial Arts: The Real Story"  at the invitation of his instructor GM "Dong" Cuesta.

 

Doce Pares Eskrima - Master Instructor

Guro Don with Grand Master "Dong"

Guro Edwards began studying Doce Pares under Master "Dong" Cuesta  in the 1980's and has been promoted to  MASTER instructor (6th grade) in Doce Pares under Grand Master Cuesta. Guro Edwards method of training of Doce Pares has produced numerous champion fighters over the years.

Guro Edwards has also studied extensively with both G.M. "Diony" Canete in the Multi-Style System of Doce Pares and GM "Cacoy" Canete in "Cacoy Doce Pares" in which he is also certified to teach.

In addition to fighting undefeated in many regional and invitational tournaments throughout the early 90's, Guro Edwards won first place in 1994 and 1996 regional WEKAF championships qualifying him for the US National Eskrima stickfighting team. Guro Edwards went on to compete in the World Championships in those years earning two bronze medals. Guro Edwards also earned a silver medal in the 1998 United States National full contact stick fighting championships.

Seminar with GM Dong at IMAF

 

Guro Don receiving a promotion to Master Instructor from GM "Dong" and GM "Diony"  Canete

Seminar with GM Diony at IMAF

Training with Tuhon Chris Sayoc

Seminar with GM Cacoy Canete at IMAF

 

 

 

Master Edwards teaching at the 2010 National Doce Pares Masters seminar  in colorado

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Left to right) GM Diony, Guro Greg Glover, Master Steve Wolk, Master Precival Pableo, Guro Cliff Derry, GM Dong Cuesta and Master  Don Edwards

circa 1992 (shooting GM Dionys first Book)

 

Guro Cliff Derry (laft)  GM Richard Bustillo, Guro Don Edwards, GM Cacoy Canete and Steve Fisco (Black Belt under Masters Don & Cliff)

 

 

 

 

Jeet Kune Do - Full Instructor

Sifu Edwards with Sifu Ron Balicki

Sifu Edwards began his training in Jeet Kune Do  under Sifu Richard Bustillo also in the 1980's. Sifu Bustillo was a direct student of Bruce Lee. Sifu Edwards is currently a Full Instructor under Sifu Bustillo.

Sifu Edwards was a recognized instructor by the Jeet Kune Do Nucleus, the JFJKD governing body headed by Bruce Lee's former wife to preserve the original teachings of Bruce Lee, during the organizations existence. 

Sifu Edwards currently trains with Sifu Ron Balicki in his "Martial Arts Research Systems" curriculum and is the New Jersey affiliate school!

To help further JKD, Sifu Edwards hosted the FIRST Regional (3 day) JKD Nucleus approved Jeet Kune Do Conference in NYC featuring Sifu's  Richard Bustillo, Ted Wong and Chris Kent. This event was herald as one of the most intensive, information packed and well run JKD events approved by the Nucleus.

Old School - Sifu Don with Sifu Cliff Derry and Sifu Richard Bustillo at a recent IMB seminar!

 

Sifu Edwards with Sifu Bustillo at the IMB Academy

IMAF continually brings in other top JKD  instructors to help broaden students training and perspective on this outstanding style!

Sifu Bustillos seminar at IMAF

Sifu Balicki Seminar at IMAF

 

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Submission Grappling

Sifu Edwards began studying the grappling arts of  BJJ, Shooto & Sambo in 1991 with masters such as the Machados, Gene LaBelle, Gokor Chivichyan, Erik Paulson & Royler Gracie. In 2001 Edwards began training privately under  BJJ Black Belt, Fernando Sarmento Jr. under whom he received his Blue Belt. Sifu Edwards is also a member of Erik Paulson's  CSW Association. Sifu Edwards currently trains with American Top Team BJJ black Belt Andre Soares!


 

Guro Edwards trained privately with BJJ Black Belt Fernando Sarmento Jr. for nearly 5 years

Royler Gracie conducting a seminar at IMAF

Gene LaBelle demonstrating  on Sifu Edwards

 

Guro Don with Sensei Gokor at the IMB

Erik Paulson demonstrating on Guro Edwards at a seminar at IMAF

Sifu Don & Jean Jacque Machado at the IMB

 

Other Qualifications

Sifu/Guro Edwards has also studied Muay Thai with former European Lightweight Thai Champion Phil Nurse and Walt Mikolowski.

Sifu Edwards is a 3rd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and was the head instructor for the "New York City Partnership" Tae Kwon Do program benefiting problem children. Sifu Edwards competed and consistently won or placed in numerous full contact tournaments over a 15 year period.

Sifu Edwards is also a certified ASP tactical baton instructor (trained by the FBI west Coast defensive instructor) and has had extensive defensive tactics training. Sifu Edwards also developed the Awareness & Confidence Training self-defense programs and appeared in National Martial Arts publications and local Cable TV talk shows on self-defense topics.

Currently Guro Edwards trains and coaches his students in numerous competitions each year.

Coaching/Training - Major Tournaments

 Master Edwards trained and coached the

  • 1994 WEKAF women's middle weight EASTERN REGIONAL & WORLD CHAMPION.
  • 1998 WEKAF men's light heavyweight EASTERN  REGIONAL & NATIONAL CHAMPION.
  • 2000 EASTERN REGIONAL men's lightweight champion & EASTERN REGIONAL double stick champion.
  • 2000 men's  NATIONAL  Bronze medalist.
  • 2002 EASTERN REGIONAL men's lightweight champion,& EASTERN REGIONAL double stick champion, 
  • 2004 Men's Eastern Regional Middleweight, Heavyweight and Seniors middleweight Champions.
  • 2004 Mens Middleweight National Champion.
  • 2005 -2007 Mens middleweight, light heavy weight and men's seniors Eastern Regional Champion.
  • 2010 - Mens' Double stick National Champion
  • IMAF students, adult and children won numerous medals  BJJ, stickfighting and kickboxing matches.
  • Master Edwards also has conducted seminar and instructed at national seminars.