Founder and Director, Hanshi Steven J. Roensch

Kudan (9th degree) in Shintoyoshin Jiu Jitsu

Shichidan (7th degree) in Shuri-ryu Karate

Board Certified Acupuncture Physician

Owner, Blue Ridge Martial Arts Academy, Bakersville, North Carolina.

Over the course of his distinguished 35 years in the martial arts, Hanshi Steven Roensch has firmly established himself as a leader and is considered a renowned teacher of the martial arts throughout the United States and Europe. 

Hanshi Roensch began his martial arts training in 1969 with his brother Rick, a practitioner of Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate.  Entering the United States Army that same year, he trained with Korean Army Rangers in Tae Kwon Do while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.  After his tour of duty, Hanshi Roensch returned to the United States where he studied Shito-ryu Karate and Haku-ryu Jiu Jitsu.

In 1976 Hanshi Roensch moved to Florida and began studying Okinawan Shuri-ryu Karatedo and Kobudo with the late Hanshi John Pachivas, 10th dan.  That same year, he met and became a student of Master Douglas Grose, 10th dan Shintoyoshin-ryu Jiu Jitsu. 

From these humble beginnings, Hanshi Roensch has worked tirelessly to preserve and teach traditional Martial Arts and widen its acceptance and popularity:

  • In 1979 he opened West Coast Martial Arts Academy in Sarasota, Florida. 
  • In 1983 he founded the Professional Association of Martial Arts Instructors (PAMAI), to enhance the knowledge of professional instructors around the United States through continuing education seminars.  The PAMAI National Instructor Training Conference, a three-day gathering of instructors of all styles is held every January in Sarasota. 
  • In 1985, he created The Life Support System for the purpose of teaching defensive tactics and critical thinking to military and law enforcement personnel, as well as major corporations, cruise lines and airlines.
  • In 1986, he was appointed State Director for the United States Police Defensive Tactics Association. 
  • In 1987, Hanshi Roensch held the first annual Great American Marital Arts Camp in Sarasota, attracting martial artists from across the United States and Europe.  
  • In 1994, he was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Master Instructor of the Year.  
  • 1995 - Appointed Chief Instructor for the American Jiu Jitsu Karate Association International.
  • 1999 - Introduced Shintoyoshin-ryu Jiu Jitsu to Germany, establishing a dojo for the style in Radolfzell. 
  • 1999 - Later that same year he was honored to be the first inductee into the American Jiu Jitsu and Karate Hall of Fame.
  • 2000 - Received Meijin award (enlightened warrior) from International Shuri-te Yudansha-kai
  • 2002 - Received his Menkyo in Shintoyoshin-ryu Jiu Jitsu.
  • 2003 - Awarded the title of Hanshi
  • 2005 - Received Meijin award from American Martial Arts Renmei and inducted into their Hall of Fame.
  • 2005 - Promoted to Kudan, (9th degree black belt) in Shintoyoshinkai Jiu Jitsu.
  • 2007 - Founded Blue Ridge Martial Arts Academy, Bakersville, North Carolina.

In addition to his many achievements in the martial arts, Hanshi graduated Summa Cum Laude from the East West College of Natural Medicine in 2003.  He is a Board Certified Acupuncture Physician and founder Sarasota Sports Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine.  He currently resides with his family in North Carolina.