Master Simmons started his training in November 1979 under the longtime Frederick, Md. martial art pioneer Master William Wickham. Obtaining his Senior Black Belt in 1988, Master Simmons began teaching at Wickham Studio as an assistant instructor. In 1990 Master Simmons was awarded his Chief Instructors degree under Grandmaster Francisco Esteban Conde Sr.
Awarded 6th degree Black Belt in August 2009 by Master Albano da Silva. Master Simmons has instructed 1000â€s of students in numerous studios in Maryland, Virginia, and the Washington D.C. area.
Major Accomplishments as a Instructor:
- Trained 1000’s of students to achieve personal goals.
- Trained over 130 students to State Championships in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.
- Instructed and trained over 40 United States National Champions
- Trained and Coached for Team USA 6 students to World Championship Medals July 2016 Birmingham, England
- Certified AAU Coach – State, Regional, & National
- Certified AAU Referee
- Seeing not necessarily the most athletically gifted student train, endure, succeed, and turn into a CHAMPION not just in the ring but in everyday life.
Major accomplishments in competition martial arts:
- 1989-1995 Retired undefeated Karate World Ratings #1 Breaking Champion
- 1991 Karate Illustrated “Top 10†Forms Competitors
- 1992-95 Karate World Ratings #1 Weapons #6 Forms
- 2010 AAU National Champion Masters Division
- 1st place winner or Grand Champion in over 200 tournaments in Forms, Weapons, Breaking, and Sparring 1988-2012
- Gold Medal winner 2007-11 State Championships in Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, & Florida
- Acted in advertising ads, appeared in print, actor in martial arts film alongside Ernie Reyes Jr of MTV’s Final Fu and Ernie Reyes Sr. founder of West Coast World Karate Association
Instructors accredited with training, promoting, & influencing Master Simmons Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do training.
- Master William Wickham 6th Dan Tang Soo Do Frederick,Md
- Grandmaster Francisco Esteban Conde 9th Dan Oriental Defensive Arts System Pennsylvania deceased
- Grandmaster Ki Whang Kim 9th Dan Washington, D.C. deceased Tang Soo Do
- Master Albano da Silva 7th Dan Mt. Airy, Md. Tang Soo Do
- Master Apolo Ladra 6th Dan Tae Kwon Do Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
- Grandmaster James Roberts Jr. 9th Dan Rockville, Md
Master Simmons goal is to instruct students in the art of Tang Soo Do and pass on the teachings of his instructors to make students the best that can be, sometimes better than they think is possible.