Instructors
Master Tom Smith - Owner & Lead Instructor
Owner of Forge Martial Arts Academy, Sensei Tom is a lifelong martial artist with an impressive tenure. Since opening the school in 1995, Sensei Tom has taught a unique blend of Kapap Krav Maga, Kempo, and Brazilian Jujitsu that provides students with a multifaceted learning experience and incorporates the fitness training of sport martial arts with a core of real-world self-defense. In addition to holding a 6th-degree black belt in Chinese Kempo Karate, Tom is a Level 5 KAPAP Instructor (one of two in the continental United States), a certified NRA instructor, and a 10+ year practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Chris Watson - BJJ Instructor
Chris began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training under the legendary Renzo Gracie, who promoted him from white to blue belt in 1994. Three years later, Chris joined Fabio Araujo, a black belt under the great Carlson Gracie Jr. He dedicated himself to the art until he received the rank of black belt in July 2008. Today, Chris is a third-degree black belt who brings with him a wealth of knowledge not only in the sport aspects of BJJ, but also in real world combative applications as well. Well known for his teaching style, Chris presents BJJ techniques and concepts in ways that are easily understood by both beginner and advanced students.
