ABOUT US
The Mangan's - A Local Martial Arts Family
Today
1995
Sensei Bob Mangan
Owner and Head Instructor
Sensei Bob Mangan has been studying martial arts since 1974, originally starting in New York. Before moving to North Carolina in 1993, he was an instructor and competed in many local and regional tournaments in the New York metro area.
Sensei Mangan opened his own martial arts academy in the downtown Mooresville area in 1995. He has served our community by teaching martial arts and self-defense courses to the Mooresville Police Department, MGSD schools, and for several local charity events. He is lovingly known as "Karate Bob" due to his dedication to Mooresville and the surrounding area.
During his 50+ years of martial arts training, Sensei Mangan has studied multiple styles of martial arts and has taught thousands and men, women, and children.
Courses Taught
- Close Quarter Techniques
- Women's Self-Defense
- Children Self-Defense
- Anti-Bullying Courses
- Gun/Knife/Stick Disarming and Retention
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Ranks and Certifications
- 8th Degree Black Belt of Mushin-Kong Soo Do (Korean influenced Karate)
- 5th Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo
- Certified in FAST (Fear Adrenal Defense Training) Defense
- Inducted into the Jerry Piddington Martial Arts Hall of Fame and Received the Best Sensei Award in 2019
Other Styles Studied
- Hapkido
- Aki Jujitsu
- Wing Chun
- Western Boxing
- Tai Chi
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Sensei Samantha Mangan
Head Instructor
Sensei Samantha Mangan has been studying martial arts ever since she received her karate uniform for her 5th birthday. Before that, she would watch her Father teach class from the waiting area, almost kicking innocent bystanders because she would try to follow the adult student classes.
Training under the instruction of her Father, Sensei Samantha competed in local tournaments in North and South Carolina in the Sparring division. She has been an instructor since 2008, where she discovered her love of teaching others.
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She received her Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education at Appalachian State University in 2016 and became a high school teacher, working at Mangan Martial Arts Academy part-time. She uses her education background in her martial arts instruction, incorporating modern pedagogy strategies, to enhance the overall education experience.
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Now she works at Mangan Martial Arts Academy full time, sharing her passion of martial arts with children and adults.
Additional Courses Taught
- MMAA Karate Camp
- Women's Self-Defense
- Children's Self-Defense
- Anti-Bullying Seminars
- Virtual Martial Arts Courses
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Ranks and Certifications
- 3rd Degree Black Belt in Mushin-Kong Soo Do (Korean influenced Karate)
- Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education from Appalachian State University
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Ms. Stephanie Mangan
Guest Instructor
Ms. Stephanie Mangan has been studying martial arts ever since was 4 years old. Alongside her older sister, Samantha, they trained under the instruction of their Father, Sensei Bob Mangan.
Ms. Stephanie competed in local tournaments in North and South Carolina in the Kata division for several years. She started as a martial arts instructor in 2008. She currently works full-time as a surgical assistant in Huntersville, NC, but comes to Mangan Martial Arts Academy events as a Guest Instructor.
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Ranks and Certifications
- 2nd Degree Black Belt in Mushin-Kong Soo Do (Korean influenced Karate)
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Ms. Yuka Chisholm
Instructor
Ms. Yuka Chisholm has been studying martial arts for 15 years. She began martial arts journey and received her Black Belt from Mangan Martial Arts Academy.
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Ms. Yuka has competed in local tournaments in North and South Carolina in the Kata and Sparring division. She became an Instructor at Mangan Martial Arts Academy in 2012.
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Ranks and Certifications
- 2nd Degree Black Belt in Mushin-Kong Soo Do (Korean influenced Karate)
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