About Us | Bushido Martial Arts & Fitness/Self Defense Northeast

Our Story

Our story began in Lincoln, Rhode Island, where Greg Chopoorian and Kevin Notch were both separately looking for a martial arts option for their kids. Both families happened upon Jonathan Pinault's school, USA Karate, and the journey began. The journey brought two friends together after 11 years of training to school ownership, which happened in 2012 in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Under USA Karate, where they served the community for 8 years, rebranded as Bushido Martial Arts & Fitness, moved to Cumberland, now relocated to Smithfield and adding Maureen Borino as a partner. We expanded in October 2023 to E. Greenwich as Self Defense Northeast, expect more growth as we look to serving more communities in 2025 and beyond!

Kickboxing/Group Fitness Instructor

Jim Mooney

Sensei Jim Mooney began training in martial arts in 2003 and earned the rank of 2nd degree black belt in American Kenpo. Jim has also trained in Brazilian Jui Jitsu & Muay Thai. As a fitness/kickboxing instructor he focuses on strikes & kicks with an emphasis on core & strength training. He looks forward to challenging you in your next class.

Program Director-Kenpo

Austin Massud

Sensei Austin Massud started training when he was 5 years old. Currently he is a 4th degree black belt in American Kenpo. Austin has been assisting/teaching for around 8 years. He teaches all age ranges from beginner children to advanced adults. Austin trained in American Kenpo and Brazilian Jui Jitsu under Shihan Jon Pinault. He competed in many tournaments during his training and was part of the demo team. Austin enjoys working with weapons like the bo and nunchucks. “I love getting to see all the progress made by my students as they learn and grow as martial artists.” - Sensei Austin
Sensei Austin is the Program Director for our Kenpo Karate

Partner/Head Instructor

Kevin Notch

Kevin started his martial arts journey under Shihan Jonathan Pinault in Lincoln, RI in 2001.

Shihan Kevin, a 5th Degree Black Belt in Amercian Kenpo Karate, ranked by the IKCG Organization. His first four black belt Dan Ranks were achieved under Shihan Jonathan Pinault and Hanshi Larry Sullivan in the Sullivan's American Kenpo Organization.

Kevin trained in Muay Thai in Albany, NY from 2011 to 2015. In Krav Maga, under David Kopec since 2018, is Bushido Martial Art's Program Head for Krav Maga, and is currently instructor training in the K.A.M.I. Organization in Israel. Kevin is teaching reality-based self defense workshops all over the U.S. , capitalizing on his business background, with 34 years in the packaging industry, in General Management and Vice President roles.

Meet the Team

Kevin Notch

Partner/Head Instructor

Reality-Based Self Defense/Krav Maga/Kenpo

Shihan Kevin started his journey in 2001, at Jonathan Pinault's Kenpo School in Lincoln, RI.

A 24 year background in martial arts of Kenpo Karate, Boxing, Muay Thai and Krav Maga,

Kevin Holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo, certified by Sr. Grandmaster Steve Nugent, I.K.C.G, is a Certified International Krav Maga Instructor in K.A.M.I Krav Magen, training under 10th Degree Grandmaster Avi Abeceedon, Israel.

An active NRA Firearms Instructor, Kevin can help you bridge self defense with your firearms certification

Kevin's professional background includes 35 years in senior roles in the packaging industry, most recently in COO and Vice President roles.

Kevin is actively training security teams, corporate groups, and teaching self defense lessons to individuals, in addition to running two martial arts schools in Rhode Island.

Maureen Borino

Partner/Certified Personal Trainer - Adaptive and Youth Specialties

Maureen started her journey in 2012, with a fitness background, she joined us in our original Smithfield. She expanded her training in 2016, to include Kenpo Karate, achieving a 3rd Degree Brown Belt Rank in the art.

Maureen's path led her to personal training, and helping people achieve their goals. She earned her NASM Certified Personal Trainer Certification in 2022 , with further specializations in Youth Fitness and Adaptation.

Maureen joined the business as a partner in 2023. Reach out to inquire about training with Maureen.

John Agostini

Master Instructor - Kenpo

Shihan John began training in American Kenpo Karate in 1992, in Pawtucket, RI

John was the owner/partner of USA Karate in Rehobeth, Massachusetts, retiring from school ownership in 2021. John earned his American Kenpo 7th Degree Black Belt in the I.K.C.G. from Sr. Grandmaster Steve Nugent in 2023.

Shihan John is a graduate of Iona College, New Rochelle, NY and he served in the US Navy, US Naval Reserve, including a tour to Viet Nam. He retired from the Naval War College Reserve Staff with the rank of Commander.

Shihan runs the Tuesday evening karate classes at our Smithfield location.

He is married and has two grown children, both of whom have trained with him.

Austin Massud

Advanced Kenpo Instructor

Sensei Austin has been training with us since he was 5 years of age. Originally starting with Jonathan Pinault in his school in Lincoln, RI in 2008.

With nearly 16 years of training under his belt, and many tournament wins to his credit, he earned the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate in 2023, under Sr. Grandmaster Steve Nugent, I.K.C.G. He has also trained extensively in BJJ.

Sensei Austin has completed his degree in Physical Therapy, is currently in his Master's Program in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Sofia Felici

Assistant Krav Maga Instructor

Sofia has been training in a local Krav Maga Alliance School since 2019.

She is actively working and training with us in K.A.M.I. Krav Magen at our Smithfield location.

She has helped us with our YMCA Program and is actively assisting/instructing on the floor in Smithfield when she is home from college.

David Kopec

Reality-Based Self Defense Combatives/Krav Maga Instructor

A student, instructor and enthusiast of reality-based self-defense for over 40 years, David was until recently, the founder and owner of Advanced Self Defense Tactical Training Center in Chepachet, RI, teaching Ronin Kenpo and CT-707 Krav Maga.

Mr. Kopec achieved Israeli Special Forces Krav Maga Instructor Certification from Sgt. Major NIr Maman of Counter Terror Unit 707.

David is also a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Ronin American Kenpo Karate.

Also, holding the following certifications:

2nd Degree Ranked Instructor in Israeli Haganah Self-Defense System, ALICE (Anti-Active-Shooter Training), CDT Certification (Compliance, Direction}

Having spent 17 years in the Middle East, and Asia, David brings practical experience to or training offerings, and is in demand for training wherever he goes.

Jim Mooney

Group Fitness/Self Defense/Fitness Boxing Instructor

Sensei Jim Mooney began training in martial arts in 2003, and earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt in Sullivan's American Kenpo under Shihan Jonathan Pinault.

Jim has also trained in Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai. As a Fitness Boxing/Group Fitness Instructor, Jim focuses on strikes and proper footwork, with an emphasis on core strength training.

Jim looks forward to challenging you in your next class!

Fitness Boxing/Kickboxing/Group FItness Instructor

John Marzullo brings many years of experience in martial arts, boxing and kickboxing experience to Bushido Martial Arts. John utilizes pad-work, one-on-one attention, and his goal is to get the best out of you by work ethic, not physical strength or physically ability, but by building your confidence and determination.
Amateur achievements:
Tae Kwon Do/Points Karate 1985-1987
N.E. Light Heavyweight K.I.C.K. Champ 1989
N.E. Golden Gloves Champion 1989

Professional achievements:
Mid Atlantic Cruiser Weight Champion 1990
U.S.K.B.A. Heavy Weight East Coast Champion 2001
P.K.F US Heavy Weight Champion 2002
P.K.F. Heavy Weight World Champion 2003
U.S.K.B.A.Super Cruiser Weight World Champion 2004

Selected 2x to represent Team USA vs Team South Africa Johannesburg, S.A. in the Light-Heavy Weight Division.
Selected to represent Team New England vs Team N.Y. in the heavy -weight division of Chuck Norris's World Combat League.

John Marzullo

Amos Hamrick

Sarah Dubreuil

Fitness Boxing/Group Fitness Instructor

Group Fitness Instructor/Certified Personal Trainer - Adaptive Programs

Sensei Amos Hamrick started his martial arts journey in 1995, after some experience in boxing gyms.

He currently holds the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt in the art of Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu, and is actively training at Pathway Karate Academy.

He studied under Shihan Ignacio Arias, and has continued training with So-Shihan Messina and Shihan Leckie Mason.

Sensei Amos is a former member of the USANKF (USA Karate Federation), and NEKF (New England Karate Federation)

He is a familiar face at our weekend Fitness Boxing classes in our Smithfield Location.

We are honored to have Amos teaching our Fitness Boxing Classes on Thursday evenings.

Sarah Dubreuil is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, with specialized Certifications in Senior Fitness and Adaptive Special Needs Training, who is focused on helping clients improve mobility, range of motion and balance.
Sarah has been a part of the Bushido Family for more than a decade and has a background in Marital Arts and Kickboxing.

A life long Rhode Islander, she currently lives in Lincoln with her two teenage sons, both of whom hold black belts from Bushido Martial Arts. She also has two rescue dogs who keep her busy.

Gregory Chopoorian

Master Instructor - Black Belt Test Board Member

Greg's journey in the martial arts began at the Newport School of Martial Arts where he earned first degree black belt in Shotokan Karate.

He began his second journey at USA Karate, Lincoln, Rhode Island, under Shihan Jonathan Pinault, where he earned his first Four Black Belt ranks in the Sullivan's American Kenpo Organization. Recently, attaining 5th Degree Black Belt under the IKCG Organization, Greg is on our Black Belt Testing Board, is an at-large instructor for us and is training in Japanese Jiu Jitsu. Greg has a career in film and entertainment as a S.A.G. Member, having roles in a number of Netflix, HBO and major films.

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