Mikel LaChapelle

Martial arts have been a very important part of my life and it has influenced the development of my character. My formal martial arts training began at age twelve. I began with the study of Goju-ryu karate in Londonderry, NH and I was then able to switch to Uechi-ryu and Shorin-ryu Karate in Concord, NH. I continued studying Okinawan Karate until my graduation from high school. These first six years of my training infused me with not only technique but also traditions, history, and the philosophy of East Asian martial culture and arts.

While attending Wheaton College and continuing the study of Okinawan Karate in Massachusetts, I trained in the Japanese art of Shotokan Karate and the art of Korean Tae Kwon Do. I was able to establish an unofficial martial arts club that consisted of 12-15 members who routinely got together to exchange techniques and bumps and bruises. My focus of study at college was on political science and Japanese studies. While working my way through school I was able to work as a “doorman” or “bouncer” at several clubs in Boston, which provided me with real life conflict resolution experience. 

While living in Boston between 1993- 1995 I continued to work as a “doorman” on the weekends in Cambridge and I began my brief studies of Jeet Kune Do and Ninpo. These arts opened my eyes to new techniques and philosophies as well as fighting principles.

In 1995 I moved to South Korea to teach English as a Second Language. While living and working in Korea I immediately began studying the arts of Kuk Sool Won and Hapkido as well as Yudo (Korean Judo) in the city of Pusan and Yangsan. At that time I was the only foreigner studying the art of Yudo in Pusan, which had over 50 dojangs (schools). Needless to say this situation gave me an opportunity to test my martial skills.

I returned to America and New Hampshire near the end of 1998. I joined the local Judo club and became an assistant instructor. My focus went from self-defense to competition and training youth in the finer points of sport Judo. I began my studies of Brazilian and Japanese Jiujitsu at this time with various instructors. For the next few years I competed successfully in various grappling and Judo events. 

In 1999 I began my studies of the Indonesian martial of Kuntao Silat Dethouar and the Filipino art Dekiti Tirsa Seradis.  A few years later I studied Pekiti Tirsia and S.E.A.F.A on a limited basis.  All four South East Asian martial arts have influenced my self-defense techniques and combative principles and strategies.

I am a Life Member of the United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF) and the United States Combat Sambo Association and I am a Life-Time Fellow of USA Traditional Kodokan Judo(USA-TKJ)

I currently teach Krav Maga in our school in Tilton , New Hampshire. I am a certified special education teacher and school administrator and have taught and worked in both public and private schools for the last 16 years. I am currently an assistant principal at K-8th grade school and I am a strong advocate for education.

I consider myself very fortunate and lucky to have trained with many great instructors and teachers in such arts as Kuntao Silat, Sambo, Jujitsu, Brazilian Jiujitsu, Penjak Silat, Kali, Tai Chi, Krav Maga, Systema, Ninpo, Judo and Okinawan Karate. All of these arts have influenced my growth as a martial artist and as an individual.

Current Martial Arts Rankings
Yondan (4th degree black belt) US JU-JITSU, United States Ju-Jitsu Federation (USJJF)
Yondan (4th degree black belt) Traditional Kodokan Judo, (USA-TKJ)
Nidan (2nd degree black belt) Yudo, Korean Judo Association
Nidan (2nd degree black belt) Sport Judo, United States Judo Association
Chodan (1st degree black belt) Kuk Sool Won, The Korean Kido Association
Chodan (1st degree black belt) Chon Tu Kwan Hapkido, International Hapkido Federation

Chodan (1st degree black belt) Dae Han Hapkido, The Korean Kido Association
Level 3 Certified Instructor in Commando Krav Maga
Rank of Lakan Tatlo in S.E.A.F.A
Assistant Instructor in Combat Systema
Phase 1 Instructor Krav Maga Israeli Krav International

Competition Highlights
1997- South Korea- Pusan Heavyweight Champion in Yudo
1998- Maine Skirmish- Open Grappling Tournament (GI) Heavyweight Second Place
2002- US Jujitsu National Championships- 3rd Place Heavyweight Division
2002- US Jujitsu National Championships- Best Male Sportsman
2004- Body Works Grappling Tournament- (No gi) 1st place Men's Heavyweight Division

Trained with for varying periods of time:
Sali Azem “Uechi-ryu and Shorin-ryu Karate”
Lou Demas “Shotokan Karate”
Mike Perry “Jeet Kune Do”
Mark Davis “Ninpo”
Kim, Young Che “Kuk Sool Won and Dae Han Hapkido”
Kim, Gi Suk “Dae Han Yudo”
Mike Williams “Dekiti Tirsia Seradis”
Willem DeThouar “Kuntao Silat DeThouar”
Steve Perrin “SEAFA”
Moni Aizik “Commando Krav Maga”
Julio Fernandez “Brazilian Jiujitsu”
Finn Posner “Judo”
Frank Broadhead “Tai Chi”
Moshe Katz "Krav Maga"

Multiple seminars with:
Jim Ingram “Mustika Kweetang Penjak silat”
Victor DeThouar “Serak Silat/Tongat Silat”
Carlson Gracie Jr. “Gracie Jiujitsu”
Rodrigo Medeiros “Brazilian Jiujitsu”
Michael Galperin “Combat Sambo”
Tom Keir “Sayoc Kali”
David Rudman “Combat Sambo” once
John Pelligrini “Combat Hapkido” once
Steven Plinck “Penjak Serak Silat”
Janet Gee “Choy Li Fut”
Don Miller “Tai Chi”
Andre KnustGraichen “Pentjak Silat USA”
Nene Tortal “Dekitirsia Seradis”
James Painter “Painter Jujitsu”
Tom Sotis "Amok"
Keith Moffit “Kun Lun Pai”
Chuck Stahmann “Kuntao Silat DeThouar”
Philip Sialas “Kuntao Silat DeThouar Monkey style”
Kevin Secour "Combat Systema"
Sergey Makarenko "Systema”
Daniel Prasetya "Pencak Silat Inti Ombak"