Grandmaster Jay Blanton

     Grandmaster Jay Blanton was born in Sheffield Alabama in 1959,He was born with a cleft Palette which impaired his speech, He was one of those unfortunate students in school who got picked on all the time, which lead him to study martial arts.
     Grandmaster Blanton started training in martial arts in late 1974 under Master He Sang Choi at a local community center by a suggestion of a friend to give him confidence and the ability to take care of himself. he took Tae Kwon do under Master Haeng Ung Lee and Master Richard Hedrick who was head of the Professional Amateur Karate Union in the styles of Tae Kwon Do, Isshin Ryu, Praying Mantis Kung fu, Jujitsu, Judo, Aikido from 1979-1987.He received his 1st degree blackbelt in 1981.In 1983 he recieved his shodan (1st Degree blackbelt) in Isshin Ryu karate and his 3rd degree blackbelt in Tae Kwon do and was promoted to Alabama State Representative for the P.A.K.U. from 1983-1987.
     In 1985 Grandmaster Jay Blanton recieved the Alabama State Instructor of the year award from the P.A.K.U., Inducted in a karate Museum in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and recieved the Presidental Sports Award from President George Bush Sr. Grandmaster Blanton was a member of the PKA from 1980-1984 and retired in 1985. Grandmaster Blanton studied under several different Instructors and in 1989 recieved his 4th degree blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do from Master Ro Byung Jick: of the North America Tae Kwon Do Federation.
     Also in 1989 he received a appreciation award from Tae Kwon Do Times magazine. From 1990-1992 he trained under Grandmaster Y.K Kim of the American Tae Kwon Do Federation in Orlando, Florida and was promoted to International Certified Instructor, and International Examiner and Referee.
     In 1992 Grandmaster Jay Blanton joined the World Blackbelt Bureau under Grandmaster Kang Rhee and is still training with him today. In 1993 Grandmaster Jay Blanton received his 5th Degree Blackbelt from Grandmaster Kang Rhee and in 1995 he also recieved his 5th Level Blacksash in Praying Mantis Kung Fu. In 1993 Grandmaster Kang Rhee named Grandmaster Blanton's style of martial arts "Mang Ho"(tiger), which Grandmaster Blanton combines Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Isshin Ryu, Jujitsu, Judo, Aikido, and Pasaryu karate. On April 8th,2002 the American college of Martial Science in Indiana granted Sokeship to Grandmaster Blanton and Promoted him to Shodia Soke and 10th Degree Blackbelt in Mang Ho.
     Grandmaster Blanton has trained with the best in the Martial arts community: Professor George Kirby, Master Frank Shamrock, Grandmaster Bill "Super foot" Wallace, O'Sensie. Phillip Porter, Richard Bustillo (Bruce Lee's student),Lou Periello. In July 2002 issue of Tae Kwon Do Times magazine Grandmaster Blanton was featured in the "Instructor Profile article" in the magazine section.
     On Aug.3rd 2002 Grandmaster Blanton was Inducted into the United States Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame. Grandmaster Blanton has been in numerous newspapers articles, talk shows, on CBN(Christian Broadcasting Network) where he had a show for Women's Self defense.
     Grandmaster Blanton is also a member of Karate for Chirst, he is a born again Christian and teaches that value in his class's as he treats everyone as a family member.
     Grandmaster Blanton is currently the Hawaii Martial Arts International Society Florida State Representative. Grandmaster Blanton is a member of the Koreja Do Christian Martial Arts Association headed by Soke Dr. Neal Schiesske,and has been appointed as Top Advisor for Koreja Do Christian Martial Arts Association.
     Also in 2002 Grandmaster Blanton completed Law Enforcement Tactical Training Instructor camp and received his Certified Law Enforcement Tactical Training Instructor Certification in ST. Louis, MO from the USMA and is still updating his training today.
     In 2006 Grandmaster Blanton was appointed Regional Director for Karate for Christ International over Alabama and Florida by President of KFCI Dr. Daryl Covington.