Amerikick.com

With over 40 years of professional training and teaching experience, numerous awards and membership to the Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Grand Master Tosten is widely regarded as one of the leading instructors in America. Master Dennis Tosten has devised teaching methods for TODAY'S students.
From his vast experience teaching and training thousands of children and adults, the AmeriKick system is just right for today's hectic world - Fast - Fun - Safe - & Easy to Learn.

Amerikick (also known as American Karate Studios) was founded in 1967 by Grandmaster Dennis Tosten in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For over 30 years Grandmaster Tosten enjoyed the title of being Philadelphia’s oldest established karate studio at the intersection of Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard.

Grandmaster Tosten trained with and received his black belts from world famous martial artists including Joe Lewis (the first full contact heavy weight kickboxing champion of the world), Ed Parker (founder and Grandmaster of American Kenpo) and Remy Presas (founder and Grandmaster of Filipino Modern Arnis)
Dr. Mon Gyi (Founder of the Bando system. Grandmaster Dennis Tosten’s martial arts credentials are numerous. He is a 10th degree black belt in Kenpo Karate, a 9th degree black belt in American Kenpo, a 5th degree black belt in Modern Arnis, a master level instructor in the Joe Lewis fighting system a black belt in Shotakan and Tae Kwon Do and a master level instructor in Judo. Grandmaster Tosten has traveled the world teaching martial arts in many foreign countries including Canada, Mexico, Australia and Ireland. Grandmaster Tosten is a former world champion competitor having competed on the national and international tournament circuits. He was a top rated competitor in forms, sparring and weapons. He also holds titles in Olympic style Tae Kwon Do and has fought and trained full contact fighting and boxing.

Grandmaster Tosten has spent many successful years teaching martial arts to thousands of students. In addition, Grandmaster Tosten has taught self defense to Philadelphia prison guards, police officers, elementary and high school teachers, DARE officers, WAR (women against rape) and countless other non profit organizations. Grandmaster Tosten is also certified to teach the handicapable. Grandmaster Tosten is a teacher of teachers. He has promoted thousands of students to black belt and master levels of black belt including his wife Sharon Tosten, 8th degree black belt, Mark Russo, 6th degree black belt, Mike Semeriglia, 6th degree black belt, Mike Sautner, 5th degree black belt and Justin Smith, 4th degree black belt. Many of Grandmaster Tosten’s students have become world champion competitors. Black belts Nick Perdunn, Chris Millares, Mark Russo, Kevin Schlueter and Justin Smith have all achieved national and world sport karate titles. They have, in turn produced national and world champion karate competitors.

Today Amerikick operates in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Florida, Texas and Kansas. The Amerikick system of martial arts includes over 40 years of Grandmaster Dennis Tosten’s knowledge and experience. The Amerikick system is one of the most effective self defense systems taught today and includes the best of Kenpo, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Jujitsu, Arnis and kickboxing.

Amerikick has been recognized both locally and nationally for its outstanding service and family values. Amerikick has been recognized as one of the top marital arts schools in the United States by several Martial Arts organizations and has been rated by the National Black Belt League and the World Sport Karate League as one of the top 25 sport karate schools in North America. Many of Amerikick’s instructors and students have appeared on television and news shows for the promotion of the martial arts.

Children start class as young as age three and have specially designed programs to meet their needs. Todays’ martial arts students can develop flexibility and strength as a way of life by taking advantage of this early training. New children can start from ages 3 - 14 in the AmeriKick System.
The curriculum is reinforced to develop confidence, self discipline, concentration and self esteem. Beginner classes are always forming for teens andadults as well. The exciting thing about AmeriKick is that the programs are tailored to meet the different needs of each age group. Adults have separate classes from children. AmeriKick Karate Classes are 45 mins long, so you can fit it into your busy schedule. Cardio, stretching, and self defense are taught in a way that allows you to learn at your own speed. The class is designed so each student moves at their own pace and instruction level (unlike the mass classes at gyms).
Amerikick now sponsors the AmeriKick International Tournaments each year as well as sponsoring the AmeriKick Tournament Team which boasts many national and world champions.
Now is the time for you to decide "Where do I want to be four years from now? Four years older, Fit, Self Confident, and a Black Belt; or just four years older?"

AmeriKick is proud to present our line of first-rate instructors.

8th Degree Black Belt
Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
Sharon Tosten holds a master level 8th degree black belt in Kenpo karate as well as a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, Wushu and certifications in Judo, JuJitsu, Shotokan, and Arnis. Sharon is an International competitor. In addition to her Karate competition and instruction, Sharon is a graduate of the Orlando Stunt Company and a member of the Screen and Actor Guild. In her spare time, Sharon has worked on several feature films and has produced and directed two independent films. Sharon is also an awarded winning author having published three books in the fictional series Troy's Amazing Universe.

6th Degree Black Belt
Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, Kenpo, Wushu
Mark Russo holds a master level 6th degree black belt in Kenpo karate along with black belts in Tae Kwon Do and Tang Soo Do, Wushu and certifications in Modern Arnis, Jujitsu. Mark also competed on the NASKA and NBL circuits and winning numerous national titles and 5 NBL (National Blackbelt League) world titles in forms and weapons. In addition to instructing, Mark was the coach of Team Smash International, a team comprised of numerous karate champions which was the Team of the Year in 1999 and 2000. Mark is a member of the Screen and Actor Guild and has worked as a stunt man and actor on several feature films. He is the current coach of Team IDC, a former member of the board of directors for the World Wide Kenpo Karate Association and promotes the Amerikick International Karate Championships.

9th Degree Black Belt

Bob Leiker has been teaching and training in the martial arts styles of Tae Kwon Do, Ju-Jit-Su, Karate-Do, Go Ju Ryu & American Kick Boxing for over forty years. Mr. Leiker holds Masters Degrees in Public Administration and Guidance Counseling from Fort Hays State University and was the former Director of Probation & Parole Services for seventeen counties in Kansas . He was honored with a Governor’s Appointment to the Kansas Sentencing Commission and recognized for his martial arts contributions by the Kansas House of Representatives. Mr. Leiker has coached and trained professional athletes in the NFL for a number of years with the Kansas City Chiefs and has lead an unprecedented number of individuals and teams to world champion status in the sport karate arena. He himself has garnered 6 world titles in forms and fighting.

7th Degree Black Belt

Jill Leiker is the Executive Director of the Alexandra Kemp Educational (T.A.K.E) Foundation that honors the memory of Ms. Kemp, young woman murdered at the hands of a predator in 2003. The foundation provides self defense programs to girls and women ages 12 years and older. Mrs. Leiker also serves as the Corporate and Community Wellness Manager for Johns County Park and Recreation District, a nationally accredited leader in recreation services. Mrs. Leiker holds degrees in Human Resource Management and Leadership Studies from Fort Hays State University and Friends University.

6th Degree Black Belt
Member of the WKKA National Demonstration Team
Michael holds a master level 6th degree black belt in Kenpo karate, with prior training in Shotokan and Arnis. Michael is a member of the WKKA national demonstration team and captain of the AmeriKick demonstration team. He can be seen most often at the AmeriKick Haddon Heights studio, where he is the owner/operator. Mike studied Kenpo at the Cottman Avenue studio under the direction on Masters Dennis and Sharon Tosten. Mike is a member of the Amerikick Master's Board, teaching, testing and certifying Amerikick Black Belts.

6th Degree Black Belt
Michael holds a master level 6th degree black belt in Kenpo karate and is the head instructor of the Landsdale Amerikick. Mike started his training over 25 ago at the famed Cottman location under Masters Dennis and Sharon Tosten. He was the head instructor of the Cottman studio before moving to Willowgrove. Mike also has extensive training in Shotokan karate and Fillipino Arnis. Mike is a member of the Amerikick Master's Board, teaching, testing and certifying Amerikick Black Belts. Mike is also the coach of Team Amerikick, which is the Amerikick competition team.

5th Degree Black Belt
Justin holds a 5th degree black belt in Kenpo Karate, a blue belt in Brazilian Jujitsu and is a former nationally ranked competitor having traveled on the NBL and NASKA circuits. He was a top ranked fighter in the junior and adult divisions. He was a member of Team Smash and Team IDC. He started karate at the age of 12 with Amerikick and is now the owner/operator of Amerikick Langhorne. Justin is a member of the Amerikick Master's Board teaching, testing and certifying Amerikick Black Belts.

4th Degree Black Belt
Chris holds a 4th degree black belt in Kenpo Karate and is a 8-time NBL world champion. Chris is also the head instructor of the Marlton Studio and Director of the Amerikick Instructor Training Program. Chris started in the martial arts at the young age of 8. After receiving his black belt at 11, he started competing locally. Chris won several tournaments and decided to train with Mark Russo and travel on the circuit and soon began to win many world titles. Chris was a member of Team Smash and is a captain of Team IDC. Chris maintains his studies at Drexel University and trains in full contact kickboxing. Chris is a member of the Amerikick Master's Board teaching, testing and certifying Amerikick Black Belts.

4th Degree Black Belt
Sensei Nick is a 4th degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate and has been with Amerikick for over 15 years. Nick holds 6 NBL World Championship Titles and is the Head Instructor and General Manager of the Delran Studio. Nick is a certified Aerobic Kickboxing Instructor, and is trainined in modern Arnis, Knife defense, and Wushu. Nick is the head coach of the Delran Demonstration “Demo” Team and enjoys creating new and exciting forms to showcase his studio’s most talented students. His Dedication to sport karate and commitment to excellence is what makes him a great competitor, dedicated leader, and fine martial artists. Nick is a member of the Amerikick Master's Board teaching, testing and certifying Amerikick Black Belts.

4th Degree Black Belt
Jarrett Leiker has been in the martial arts since age 3. Following his mother and father's steps, Jarrett earned his black belts in Tae Kwon Do, GoJuRyu and karate-do. In addition to his life long martial arts training Jarrett has won numerous regional, national and world black belt titles in all the major sport karate leagues in forms and weapons. He is an active member of the IDC world karate team and is also the head instructor for Amerikick Overland Park, Kansas. Jarrett currently attends Rockhurst University and is vice-president of his fraternity, Pi kappa alpha, and serves on the international supreme council nominating committee as chairman.