Bio — Board of Directors member

Michael DePasquale, Jr.

Michael DePasquale, Jr. was quite literally born to be a Martial Arts Master. The son of the late Michael DePasquale, Sr., who is considered to be the father of American Ju-Jitsu and Grandmaster of the Yoshitsune Waza style of Ju-Jitsu.

Michael Jr.'s martial arts career began at the early age of five. His training and black belt ranks are in Judo Karate and Yoshitsune Ju-Jitsu, in which he presently holds the coveted rank of Soke Grandmaster.

Michael has completed and has been certified by the FBI Defensive Tactics Instructors program. He frequently teaches his INF (Immobilize / Neutralize / Finalize) Defensive Tactics course to the law enforcement and military communities.

A graduate of the Academy of Theatrical Arts, Michael studied acting with William Hickey at H.B. Studios in New York City. Michael runs the world renowned Action Film Academy and is the founder of the first association working with martial artists, actors, athletes, and extreme stunt personnel. It is the first of its kind where talent is trained at his AFA. Called the Screen Action Stunt Association, it is the only organization of its kind listed under associations, unions, and organizations in the prestigious Ross Report book.

Last year, Michael participated in a Martial Arts Fundraiser, “Day of a Thousand Punches,” dedicated to the memory of the late Soke Michael DePasquale, Sr., his father and a martial arts pioneer. The Federation of United Martial Artists (FUMA) and the International Federation of Ju-Jitsuans (IFOJJ) joined forces with the International Brain Research Foundation, Inc. (IBRF) for the event. Based on the proceeds of the event, on January 6, 2007, Michael was pleased to present Dr. Philip DeFina with a check for $8,000 in support of IBRF's mission.

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