About CHAMPION MARTIAL ARTS

Champion Martial Arts & Fitness has been shaping champions in Pasadena, Texas, for more than thirty years. Founded on the belief that martial arts training should build not only physical skill but also character, the academy has become a trusted home for families, athletes, and individuals seeking growth. Our mission is to help every student discover what it means to “Be A Champion.” This extends far beyond tournaments or belts. To us, being a champion means developing discipline, humility, resilience, and respect. It means carrying the lessons of martial arts into everyday life. The instructors at Champion Martial Arts & Fitness bring unmatched expertise to every class. With more than one hundred years of combined teaching experience, our staff includes USA Judo-registered coaches, Carlson Gracie lineage Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors, and Shotokan Karate masters with JKS credentials. They come from diverse backgrounds—spanning the United States, Cuba, Mexico, Haiti, Spain, Canada, and Korea—but share the same passion for teaching. Each instructor is more than a teacher. They are mentors, role models, and guides who dedicate themselves to helping students succeed. They emphasize respect, humility, and perseverance, creating an environment where students feel supported and motivated.

The instructors at Champion Martial Arts & Fitness bring unmatched expertise to every class. With more than one hundred years of combined teaching experience, our staff includes USA Judo registered coaches, Carlson Gracie lineage Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors, and Shotokan Karate masters with JKS credentials. They come from diverse backgrounds—spanning the United States, Cuba, Mexico, Haiti, Spain, Canada, and Korea—but share the same passion for teaching.

Each instructor is more than a teacher. They are mentors, role models, and guides who dedicate themselves to helping students succeed. They emphasize respect, humility, and perseverance, creating an environment where students feel supported and motivated.

OUR FACILITY

Sensei Pedro Jimenez
– Judo Program Director

Professor Steve Pellegrino
– Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

Sensei Praxedis “Logan” Lindsay
Shotokan Karate Head Instructor

Sensei Lindsay is a Go-dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) and passionate instructor with more than 25 years of experience in Shotokan Karate. His teaching emphasizes the core principles of discipline, character development, and respect, viewing karate as a path to perfecting the self.

Sensei Logan is dedicated to passing on the rich traditions of Shotokan, guiding students of all ages to build not only strong technique but also unwavering confidence and focus. He fosters a challenging yet supportive dojo environment where students are empowered to reach their full potential, both on and off the mat.

“The ultimate aim of the art of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its participants.”

Sensei Chris Graves
Judo Instructor

A Sandan (Third Degree Black Belt), he brings over 15 years of dedicated experience from dojos across the nation. Beginning his journey in 2009, his development has been shaped by a distinguished line of mentors. He has trained under U.S. Olympians like wrestler Maurice Allen and Korean Olympic Silver Medalist In-Chul Cho. His foundational and advanced training was guided by respected teachers, including Mike Takata, who connected him to his historic lineage, and Houston’s own Sensei Andy Connelly.

Promoted to ShoDan (1st Degree) while training internationally, he earned his Ni-Dan (2nd Degree) in 2019 and his SanDan in 2024. For Chris, judo is a dynamic and ever-evolving art.

He is driven by the constant opportunity for growth and the profound feeling of executing a perfect throw, a testament to the art’s blend of precision, timing, and force.

Judo lineage is – Jigoro Kano -> Toshitaka Yamauchi -> Shigeru Imoto -> Mike Takata -> Chris Graves

Sensei Miguel López Blanco
Judo Head Instructor

Sensei Miguel, a former professional judoka from Spain, this coach offers a world-class training perspective to students in the Houston area. Throughout his distinguished athletic career, he competed successfully at both national and international tournaments, earning multiple podium finishes and gaining invaluable experience against elite competition.

Today, he channels that competitive fire into a passion for teaching. His coaching philosophy emphasizes the traditional judo values of discipline and respect, combined with a modern, technical approach focused on continuous improvement. He is adept at mentoring students of all ages and backgrounds, helping them build a strong foundation, gain confidence, and achieve their personal goals. Sensei Miguel strives to create a supportive and motivating environment for every judoka on the mat.

“A tenet of randori is to apply just the right amount of force–never too much, never too little. – Jigoro Kano.”