Our Coaches

Coach Decker began his journey in the early 90s teaching traditional Martial Arts to all ages and backgrounds. He began broadening his focus to helping people reach their Health and Fitness goals when, in the mid-2000s, Phoenix College asked Coach Decker to join their fitness and wellness department to share his approach with their community of students, teachers and staff.

Coach Decker is based in central Arizona USA, but now with the benefit of the internet and modern technology, this site can act not only as an aid and supplement to his current students, but also as a way to reach and help others no matter their circumstances or location.

I started martial arts when I was only 12. I began in Krav Maga, then moved to MMA before my career in Judo. Growing up, martial arts became my home away from home. It was my safe space when I needed to escape. The environment is welcoming and supportive. I’ve met some of my best friends in the gym.

Outside of judo, I am going to college for psychology. My dream is to become a children’s play therapist. I also would love to open my own dojo and teach in my spare time. I’m in my second year of community college, and after that I plan to attend Michigan State University.

Britani was born and raised in Mesa Arizona. She is a 32 year-old mother of two children; Hendrix and Kyrie. She loves practicing Judo, working out at the gym and hiking outdoors with friends, family and her dog Lavender. Britani is an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Rehab facilities and enjoys helping people get back to their activities of daily living.

Her goal as an Assistant Coach is to be a positive role model and teach kids self-defense while encouraging them to be the best they can be.

My name is Bry’ Anne and I am an assistant coach working alongside Coach Decker in his Judo and Mat Monkeys program. I was introduced to him in 2022 upon stumbling across a Facebook ad and thought it would be an exciting opportunity to try something new myself while helping kids develop the skills and techniques associated with martial arts in a physical education format.

Having four of my own children and a background in fitness and yoga, I was able to build upon my preexisting knowledge to gain classroom experience and become more well-rounded as an instructor. The program developed by Coach Decker accommodates various learning styles, utilizing stories, games, and object lessons to help children grasp each concept as they build one upon another in a manner that is both applicable and approachable.

This balance between play and structured learning allows kiddos the space to have fun and get their energy out while reinforcing the importance of remaining disciplined, being conscious of others, and persisting in their efforts to do and be their best. The one sure thing about working with kids is that nothing is a surety; patience and attention are important components that allow us as coaches to meet them where they are and to support their journey toward becoming a Judoka.

Seeing students grow not only in ability but also in confidence is the best part about being a coach! Concurrently, I offer yoga classes weekly through Mesa Wellness 360 and on demand via YouTube.

Master Instructor Ken Corona has been teaching martial arts since 1971. He is a “teacher’s teacher”. Over his many decades as a Martial Arts instructor and Martial Arts studio owner, he has taught thousands of students and has awarded over 100 Black Belts. Many of his students have become instructors and have opened schools of their own.

Due to his noteworthy ability and skills, Master Corona was selected by local law enforcement agencies as an expert trainer for police defensive tactics, including personnel from Arizona DPS, Phoenix, Glendale, Tolleson, Buckeye and Tempe Police Departments.

His studies have included Judo, Aikido and Jujitsu under the direct tutelage of renowned Master of Japanese martial arts Jsuneji “Tony” Sakakibara, graduate of Japan’s International Kodokan training center. He studied Hwa Rang Do under Grand master Dr. Joo Bang Lee. After an extensive full-time apprenticeship in southern California, Master Corona became one of the first Americans to receive the Master Instructor Level in Hwa Rang Do. He has served as special weapons/tactics hand-to-hand combat instructor for the United States Marine Corps and combatives instructor for the US Army Special Forces.

Master Corona lives and continues to teach in Phoenix, AZ but his focus has shifted exclusively to teaching young, aspiring Martial Artists. He is currently the owner of KARATE KIDS OF ARIZONA and teaches after school Martial Arts programs for public and parochial schools.

Sensei James Wall has over 20 years of training in the martial arts. He began his formal instruction in Aikido, Judo, and JuJitsu at the Gentle Wind Dojo in Baton Rouge, LA in 1995. In 2005 he and his wife Patty opened Wall to Wall Martial Arts in the suburb of Watson, LA. In their own backyard. Since then, they have grown their comercial Martial Arts Academy to be one of the largest and most well-respected Judo schools in the US.

Sensei Wall currently holds the following ranks/certifications:

Judo – 5th Degree Black Belt
JuJitsu – 4th Degree Black Belt
Aikido – 3rd Degree Black Belt
Brazilian JuiJitsu – 1st Degree Black Belt (Carlos Machado Jiu-jitsu Association)
Certified AAU Judo Referee
Certified A Level Kata Instructor – Nage No Kata, Katame No Kata, Goshin Jitsu No Kata

He travels extensively around the US teaching seminars on Judo Coaching and Professional Martial Arts Business Practices.

Sensei Steve Scott holds advanced black belt ranks in Shingitai Jujitsu (7th Dan) and Kodokan Judo (8th Dan), starting his career in 1965; and founded his Judo academy, “Welcome Mat Judo” in 1969 in Kansas City. Steve is also a member of the United States Sambo Association’s Hall of Fame. Sensei Steve has personally coached and developed athletes who have competed in the Olympic Games for Judo, as well as the World Championships in the sports of Judo, Sambo and submission grappling. Steve has coached hundreds of individual athletes who have won over a hundred national championships.

Sensei Steve served as the U.S. Team Coach for the World Sambo Championships, Pan American Games for Sambo, Pan American Judo Championships and numerous other international events. He was active as an athlete, competing in Judo and Sambo, winning two U.S. National Championships.

Steve introduced women’s Sambo in the United States, having hosted the first women’s U.S. National Sambo Championships in 1980. Sensei Steve served as AAU Judo National Chairman and was responsible for the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States (AAU) granting recognition to the sport of Judo in 1994 after a hiatus of many years. Steve is the innovator of the Freestyle Judo contest rules used by AAU Judo.

Sensei Steve Scott continues to reside in Kansas City where he still teaches Judo, writes and has published many books on Judo and other Martial Arts and creates Instructional videos. Sensei Steve Scott is a founding member of the Judo Black Belt Association (JBBA) Yudanshakai of which our club is a member, and our students pursue Dan rank under.