Mr. Thompson started his martial arts training in march 1974 at the age of 18.  Since the beginning he has studied many different fighting arts. He is ranked as a second degree black belt in Kamishin-Ryu and Shorin-Ji Torakendo Kempo, Fourth degree Black Belt in American Karate and eighth degree black belt in Tetsu shin ryu Kempo Karate. He is a fifth degree black belt in Tetsu Shin Ryu Jiu Jitsu, Tetsu Shin Ryu Kobudo (weapons), and Tetsu Shin Ryu Do (kickboxing).  He has also earned Nidan (second degree) in Kyudo (Japanese archery).

            Mr. Thompson’s competitive career spanned many years and many championships – including winning the first and only “toughest man in South Carolina” contest in 1980.  This competition was one of the first official Mixed Martial Arts competitions in the country.  He has fought in full contact kickboxing matches and was a member of the US Kickboxing team that competed in France in 1988.  While in France, Mr. Thompson was known as the “Master of Disaster” by the French public. 

            Mr. Thompson’s primary goal in the Martial Arts is to help every student reach his or her maximum potential in all areas of their lives.