Born February 9, 1965 in Cleveland, Ohio, Karl moved at an early age to Ellwood City, PA to live with his Grandparents. Carmen Beatrice, Karl’s grandfather was an active scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates and owned, coached and managed a county mac team for the city of Ellwood. Karl grew up at the ball field, either playing ball himself, or being the bat boy and score keeper for his grandfather’s team.

In 1977 he moved back to Cleveland and continued playing baseball, he went on to representing the city of Cleveland, in a high level travel team, competing in many cities, and to eventually playing in Montreal Canada. Karl also competed in track and field, and football.

In 1988 Karl started his Martial Arts training with Papa Jules Pommier in Shorin-ryu karate. He went

on to earn his first degree black belt in June, 1994, second degree in January 1999, third degree in

September of 2002, fourth degree in February 2005, and his fifth in October of 2007. In April of 2003 he received his first degree in Kobudo, Okinawan weaponry.

Karl also studied with the MJJA, Midwestern Jiu Jitsu Association, and earned the rank of Brown Belt in June 2002. Over the last ten years Karl has trained with several jiu-jitsu instructors focusing on no-gI jiu-jitsu and MMA training.

In 2008, Karl opened his own school in Hudson, OH. The Academy of Shorin-ryu Karate & Mixed Martial Arts. He currently has students competing in submission grappling tournaments and cage events. Karl’s teaching staff has experienced high level karate, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu instructors.