At only 21 years of age, Vlad Davydov of AmeriKick Martial Arts, may be the youngest owner of a karate school on Staten Island, but his past accomplishments are among the most impressive.
A Brooklyn College graduate with a bachelor’s degree in management and finance, Davydov was a collegiate wrestling champion, with extensive martial arts training. He placed first in his weight class in New York City’s PSAL Wrestling Championships in 2004 and 2005; and in an earlier citywide competition, he led the FDR High School wrestling team, Brooklyn, to a first-place victory for three consecutive years. Among other top honors in 2005, Davydov won a Heisman Award, voted as the city’s top wrestler of the year. Arguably proficient as a wrestler, his familiarity with the martial arts began long before his foray onto the mat.
“When my family was living in Russia, the president’s former bodyguard taught karate to my brother and myself,” said Davydov, who was only 2 years old at the time he began.
He continued practicing with the instructor for about four years, and resumed his martial arts training after immigrating with his family to the United States at the age of 7.
Sensei (teacher) Davydov first became familiar with AmeriKick as a student in AmeriKick schools located in the Brooklyn communities of Park Slope and Sunset Park.
“After so many years of training under various instructors, I found the instruction at AmeriKick to be the most exciting and organized,” said Davydov, who marked the grand opening of his school last month.
On March 18, he and other members of the AmeriKick All-star Team gave a demonstration during the New York Knicks vs. N.J. Nets game at Madison Square Garden.
Developed in the 1950s, the AmeriKick System is based on a combination of Chinese and Japanese martial arts. The AmeriKick Karate Association offers martial arts franchising and support for opening and successfully operating martial arts schools of all styles and sizes.
The South Beach school offers age-appropriate programs for children, from 3 to 12 years of age; adult classes, ages 13 and older; women’s fitness-kickboxing and yoga; gymnastics, leadership, weapons, and mixed martial arts.
