Certifications
ATA MARTIAL ARTS
- 6th Degree Black Belt: Taekwondo
- Master Instructor
- Certified Instructor: Level 3
- National Tournament Judge: Level 3 Chief Judge
- Regional Tournament Team Leader (IA, MN, ND, SD)
KMF-AC KRAV MAGA
- Midwest Director, Krav Maga Federation-AC
- 4th Dan Black Belt: Krav Maga
- Senior Instructor
- Level 1: Civilian Instructor
- Level 2: Law Enforcement Instructor
- Level 3: Military Instructor
- Level 4: Third Party Protection Instructor
- Level 5: Air Marshal Instructor
CARLOS MACHADO JIU-JITSU
- Purple Belt: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
CHINESE BOXING INSTITUTE INTERNATIONAL
- Chin Na/Grappling Instructor
ARMAMENT SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES – ASP
- Be Your Own Defender Civilian Instructor (OC/Pepper Spray)
THINK SAFE SELF-DEFENSE
- Instructor/Founder
WARRIOR SYSTEMS
- Level 1: Krav Maga Instructor
- Advanced/Phase A: Krav Maga Instructor
- Warrior X-Fit Instructor
PPCT SYSTEMS
- SHARP Self-Defense Instructor
- Spontaneous Knife Defense Instructor
- Pressure Points and Control Tactics
OTHER
- SafeSport Trained: U.S. Center for SafeSport
- CPR Certified
AWARDS
- Martial Arts Hall of Fame – Platinum Lifetime Achievement Award, 2024
- Pella Police Department Citizen’s Commendation Award, 2023
- KFM-AC Instructor Appreciation, 2022
- ATA Martial Arts Black Belt of the Year, 2020
- ATA Martial Arts Regional Appreciation, 2015
- ATA Martial Arts Instructor of the Year, 2011
- ATA Martial Arts Instructor of the Year, 2008
- ATA Martial Arts Regional Achievement, 2006
Biography
Master White is a 6th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and an ATA Martial Arts Master Instructor.
Master White also holds a 4th Dan Black Belt Krav Maga and is a Level 5 Senior Instructor under Master Alain Cohen. He also holds a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Master Carlos Machado.
Master White started his martial arts training in 1984, under Grand Master Jung in Cedar Rapids, IA. He transitioned to the ATA in 1997, and earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in 1998. Master White is an accomplished martial artist, earning several State Champion titles and ATA Top Ten Awards for competition. He has also earned awards for ATA Instructor of the Year, ATA Appreciation, ATA Black Belt of the Year, and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2003 Master and Mrs. White took over the ATA Martial Arts club in Pella, IA – and 2023 marked our 20th anniversary! In addition to Pella, Master and Mrs. White have had ATA clubs in Newton, Pleasant Hill, and Clive, and currently operate two schools (one in Pella and one in Urbandale) with the assistance of family and Triumph staff.
Master White is a ATA Martial Arts International Tournament Judge, and the Regional Tournament Team Leader for Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. He is also the Midwest Director for the Krav Maga Federation-AC.
Master White has an extensive background in stand-up grappling and joint locks, and is a recognized instructor of Chin Na and Grappling from the Chinese Boxing Institute International under Joseph “Buddy” Benford.
Over the years he has trained with some of the best instructors and practitioners in the world – and brings that experience to our students at Triumph.
✅ FUN FACT ✅ Master White is a professional graphic artist, and spent 15 years working in the print and apparel industries before transitioning Triumph to full-time schools. The Triumph logo, signage, banners, apparel, etc are all designed by Master White – inspired by the great ideas of his family and Triumph members.