Allan Manganello Instructor Bio

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Allan Manganello, owner and Head Instructor at Louisville Martial Arts Academy, started training at the age of 8 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Being a scrawny kid who did well in school, he was a prime target for the neighborhood bullies. His father was a big fan of the television series "Kung-Fu" and decided to enroll them both in classes under Shaolin Kung-Fu instructor Cynthia Rothrock. He trained for a year and a half, achieving the rank of orange sash - but more importantly, developed what would be his lifelong passion for the martial arts. Moving to Kentucky at age 12, it would be 4 more years before he found a school that could teach him what he was looking for. He enrolled in 1985 during the Grand Opening at Shaolin Kempo Studios of Self Defense in Jeffersontown and started instructing in 1987. Training rigorously and teaching full-time, he achieved his Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo under Jean Louis Arseneau in 1989, 1st Degree Black Belt in 1991, and 2nd Degree Black Belt in 1994.

In 1994, Allan began studying Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with Relson and Royce Gracie and became the first person to introduce Gracie (Brazilian) Jiu-Jitsu to Louisville. Relson and Royce told Allan about their brother Rickson whom Allan met and became good friends with, earning his Blue Belt from Rickson Gracie in 1996. That same year, Jean Louis Arseneau moved back home to Massachusetts and Allan bought Shaolin Kempo Studios of Self Defense, renaming it Shaolin Kempo Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

In 1997, Allan met Pedro Sauer through Rickson Gracie and began training with him as well as continuing his training with Rickson in California and Jean Louis in Massachusetts. In 2000, Rickson awarded Allan his Purple Belt and invited him to be part of his entourage for his fight in Tokyo, Japan in Coliseum 2000.

In 2000, Allan started training David Akers, the would-be kicker for the Philadelphia Eagles, helping him reach 3 Pro Bowls as well as Super Bowl XXXIX. They have done several films, documentaries, and training camps together and continue their friendship and training to this day.

In 2001, Allan joined the Louisville Police Department where he has shared his extensive knowledge with both the training academy as well as the community. He is currently a patrol officer in Old and South Louisville and speaking fluent Spanish, he works closely with the Hispanic community as well.

Shaolin Kempo Jiu-Jitsu Academy was renamed Louisville Martial Arts Academy in 2003 in an effort to reflect the quality instruction of a variety of styles being offered to the community.

On November 4, 2006, Allan was promoted to Black Belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu by Pedro Sauer. Louisville Martial Arts Academy is very proud of Allan's accomplishments in Jiu-Jitsu. He is the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt in the Louisville area. Allan has competed in numerous karate tournaments, regional, national, and international Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, as well as no-holds-barred competition.