Coach Matt D'Avanzo

Matthew D’Avanzo began training in Kenkojuku-style Karate in 1990. He reached shodan during college in 1997 and began teaching for his instructor Herb Wiles in Jamaica that same year, competing nationally, and helping to train & coach many students to greater success in high level competitions such as the Pan Ams, WKF Worlds, Junior Olympics, etc. He received his nidan in 2001 and moved down to North Carolina in 2006, where he took up Judo under Darian Stokes a year later, competing locally, and began a small adults no-gi full contact karate class while teaching children at Champion Academy in Cary. In 2011 he was asked to begin teaching Karate at Bushido Judo School in Durham, NC.

Account

Outstanding Samurai

for the month of December

Congratulations Henry!!!

I've chosen Henry Sells as the Outstanding Samurai this month for several reason. Henry gives 100% when he is training. His Judo is improving tremendously and it's quite obvious that he has Bushido in his blood, but.... the main reason i choose Henry this month is this... at 14 years old, as president of the National Jr Honors Society, Henry was instrumental in organizing a fund raising event which helped raise over 1600.00 for a girl at his school who was diagnosed with Leukemia and Diabetes. I'm extremely proud of Henry. It's this sort of selflessness, compassion and spirit that is the heart of Bushido Judo School. On top of all this... Henry also manages to make excellent grades as well as play other sports at school. I'm looking for great things from Henry in the future, A fine example to his peers.

Henry...You are an excellent example of the vision I have for Bushido. Continue to represent us well at Home, School and in the Community!

A True Samurai Warrior!!
Go Bushido!!!

- Sensei Darian Stokes