Gerry Blanck became interested in martial arts at age 14. He started training in Yoshukai karate at age 18 under 7th degree black belt Mike Foster and 5th degree black belt Bob Bunning. Gerry received his brown belt under them while in college and then moved back home to Pensacola, Florida. Blanck received his black belt in 1977 under 6th degree black belt Hiroaki Toyama and under Master Yuki Koda. Kickboxing was becoming popular at this time and he began training in kickboxing.
One year later Gerry had his first match and won and later became the #1 contender in his weight class. In 1982 he moved to California in hope of fighting for the World Title and opened a dojo in the Pacific Palisades. In 1983 Gerry won the titles of World Karate Association Super Featherweight Champion and International Kickboxing Association Junior-Lightweight Champion.
Gerry retired from his pro career in 1985, with a record of 23-2, including 12 knockouts. He teaches at his dojo, Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center, and is the West Coast Director of Yoshukai Karate. In 1999 he received the highly-valued award, the Ryu-Ken Award which recognizes the U.S. Yoshukai Karate Instructor of the Year. Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center was also picked as school of the month in Black Belt Magazine, October 1992. Gerry has been featured on numerous TV shows including Entertainment Tonight, Extra, Eye On LA, Baywatch, and, most recently, Dancing With the Stars. He has also trained many celebrities and atheletes and has, himself, appeared in martial arts movies such as Black Belt and Full Contact.
Last November, Blanck was presented his 8th Degree Red Belt by Grand Master Yamamoto from Japan!
