At Fighting Dragon Academy, our instructors are more than martial artists—they are mentors, lifelong students, and leaders dedicated to helping others grow.
Every instructor is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and encouraging training environment where students of all ages, abilities, and experience levels can develop confidence, character, and practical martial arts skills.
We believe that the greatest instructors never stop learning, and we strive to lead by example both on and off the training floor.
Sifu Jt Walker
Head instructor (Show Low, Arizona)
Sifu Jt Walker began his martial arts journey at 10 years old in Camp Verde, Arizona, training under Sensei Sam Plunkett Sr. in Shotokan Karate and Kukahiko Lima Lama. He earned his first black belt at age 14, and in 1999 and 2000 he traveled to Maui, where he won the pre-18 black belt championship. In 2000, he also secured the AZMARRS Black Belt Championship.
Throughout his early training, he studied with distinguished martial artists including Shihan Ted Tabura and Grandmaster Solomon Kaihewalu. In July 2002, he achieved the rank of 4th-degree black belt.
In 2006, he sustained a severe back injury and was told he would likely never walk normally again. Through discipline and dedication to martial arts, he surpassed medical expectations, ultimately regaining full mobility and continuing to train and kick.
Following his recovery, he expanded his training into multiple Kenpo systems. He studied Ed Parker’s American Kenpo & Green Dragon Kung Fu under Sifu Dave Green, and in 2010 he opened a donation-based Kenpo school in Prescott Valley, Arizona, serving low-income and underserved youth.
In 2012, he taught part-time at Fusion of Movement in Prescott Valley while studying the AKKA Kenpo system founded by Bill Packer. In 2014, he broadened his experience in Chinese martial arts by training in Hung Gar Kung Fu under Jerry Cook.
The donation-based Kenpo school closed in March 2020. In 2022, he experienced an accident resulting in the loss of use of two fingers on his right hand, yet he has continued to train and share martial arts with others despite this challenge.
Sifu Ryker Wells
Ryker Wells started his martial arts journey in Prescott Valley when he was 15 years old with Sifu Jt Walker in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo Karate. During his training with Sifu Walker he taught and studied the AKKA Kenpo system founded by Bill Packer with Ben Naasz at Fusion Of Movement in Prescott Valley. He earned his black belt with Sifu Walker in February 2014 and his black belt with Mr. Naasz in December 2014. He continues to study Kenpo under Sifu JT Walker and under the International Karate Connection Association and Hung Gar Kung Fu Grandmaster Jerry Cook.
Sigung David Green
Consultant (Traveling)
It all started back in 1973. After being bullied and knocked out on the school playground at 10 years old. Mr. Green’s mother enrolled him in Chinese Karate Studios, under Sensei Blu Von Weimer, in Mesa Az. Mr Green went on to earn his Black Belt in American Kenpo in 1978. He continued his Kenpo study entering the Air Force in 1981.
After his Honorable Discharge he continued to train, earning Black Belts in 3 other systems. Back in those days there was no M.M.A. Martial artists would compete in bare knuckle competitions. Not exactly legal. It was during this time Mr. Green realized that many techniques from all these systems were never actually used in fights. Using his last name of Green and realizing the Green Dragon is the Dragon of compassion, Green Dragon American Kung Fu system was born. But, it has still taken many years to mix the most effective fighting techniques from multiple systems to evolve into the proven system we have today. This allows the fighter to flow like water into any situation.
Now that he has gotten much older, he has realized a lot of the internal realizations of forms into the art. It’s been almost 50 years since that first lesson. And his greatest accomplishment, he feels is watching how the younger generations can take the art and evolve it to fit today’s world. He feels it’s our job as teachers to teach what we know, it is the students job to take that knowledge and make it their own. Sigung Green believes “every system is important, this is simply our expression”. His favorite saying is ” Love everyone, but never sell your sword.
Sigung is retired and spends his time with his beautiful wife April traveling. He practices Zen, Qi gong, Tai Chi. He is known lovingly by the grandkids as Kung Fu Panda.
Jay Young
In loving Memory:
