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Grandmaster Eddie Thomas's
| American Freestyle Karate - 29 East Main Street - Across From The Library In Downtown Salem, Virginia 24153 - 540-387-0450 - email: i4u2cc@aol.com |
Home of Champions
The AFK Instructors
Grandmaster Eddie Thomas began his training in 1975 at the age of
15. Earning his first Black Belt in only three years, he began his
instruction career in 1978. Master Thomas also spent many years
competing and in 1985 and ‘86 he was ranked #1 on the East Coast
and #4 in the country by PKL. Master Thomas's detailed martial arts
resume includes an impressive list of titles and credentials:
9th Degree Black Belt Shotokan
6th Degree Black Belt American Kickboxing
5th Degree Black Belt American Freestyle
1st Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do
Nationally Ranked #3 in Fighting 1982 – 1991
Member of World Champion D.K.T.
National Karate Team 1990-1991
Gold and Bronze Medal Winner,
World Championships 1996
15. Earning his first Black Belt in only three years, he began his
instruction career in 1978. Master Thomas also spent many years
competing and in 1985 and ‘86 he was ranked #1 on the East Coast
and #4 in the country by PKL. Master Thomas's detailed martial arts
resume includes an impressive list of titles and credentials:
9th Degree Black Belt Shotokan
6th Degree Black Belt American Kickboxing
5th Degree Black Belt American Freestyle
1st Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do
Nationally Ranked #3 in Fighting 1982 – 1991
Member of World Champion D.K.T.
National Karate Team 1990-1991
Gold and Bronze Medal Winner,
World Championships 1996
| Grandmaster Eddie Thomas |
| Amanda Camden |
Amanda Camden has been have been training
in martial arts for eight years. She is a certified
BBT instructor. She was inducted into the United
States Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame in
2003. In 2004 she place second in the state of
Virginia (VKA) for kata and sparring. Amanda
earned her Second Degree Black Belt in 2008.
She was instrumental in developing the AFK After
School and Tiger Paws programs for children.
She enjoys teaching all ages but is especially
fond of teaching children.
in martial arts for eight years. She is a certified
BBT instructor. She was inducted into the United
States Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame in
2003. In 2004 she place second in the state of
Virginia (VKA) for kata and sparring. Amanda
earned her Second Degree Black Belt in 2008.
She was instrumental in developing the AFK After
School and Tiger Paws programs for children.
She enjoys teaching all ages but is especially
fond of teaching children.
| Jimmie Landry |
A native of New Orleans, Jimmie Landry is a
successful musician, in addition to being an
accomplished student and instructor at AFK.
Jimmie began performing with local recording
artists on Bourbon Street in the 50's. Following
classical studies at the Houston Conservatory of
Music he toured from California to Florida with
"Show Bands" and appeared in concert at The
Hollywood Palladium with the rock band
'Bluesberry Jam'.
In 1983 he and his wife Robin and their two
children built a home in Roanoke Virginia. He
has been the featured artist at The Hotel
Roanoke since 1995. Jimmie continues to enjoy
training six days a week in preparation for his
promotion to Second Degree Black Belt.
successful musician, in addition to being an
accomplished student and instructor at AFK.
Jimmie began performing with local recording
artists on Bourbon Street in the 50's. Following
classical studies at the Houston Conservatory of
Music he toured from California to Florida with
"Show Bands" and appeared in concert at The
Hollywood Palladium with the rock band
'Bluesberry Jam'.
In 1983 he and his wife Robin and their two
children built a home in Roanoke Virginia. He
has been the featured artist at The Hotel
Roanoke since 1995. Jimmie continues to enjoy
training six days a week in preparation for his
promotion to Second Degree Black Belt.
Selena Strickler
Selena Strickler has been training at AFK for 7 ½ years. She earned
her black belt in 2005. She played a critical role in developing AFK’s
after school program and marketing our school’s celebrated traditional
karate program. She has traveled and trained with some of the world’s
greatest martial arts legends, including: Bill Wallace, Steve “Nasty”
Anderson, Michael DePasquale, and Royce Gracie. Selena also
traveled to England in 06 for a training session with martial artists from
all over the world. She competed for 5 years in sport karate and 2
years in full contact kick boxing. Some of her achievements include:
2002 – 1st Place VKA (Virginia Karate Alliance) Champion in
Adult Women’s Weapons, Kata and Sparring
2002 – 1st Place North Carolina Sparring Championship
2003 – 1st Place VKA Champion in Adult Women’s Weapons,
Kata and Sparring
2003 – United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame –
Most Dedicated Martial Artist
2003 – American Martial Arts Alliance –
Outstanding Competitor of the Year
2004 – 1st Place VKA Champion in Advanced Adult Women's
Weapons, Kata and Sparring
2004 – VKA Female Highest Points Competitor of the Year
2004 – United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame –
Outstanding Martial Artist of the Year
2004 – American Martial Arts Alliance – Female Competitor of the Year
2004 – Sport Karate Living Legends – Outstanding Martial Artist
2005 – 1st Place VKA Champion in Advanced Adult Women’s
Weapons, Kata and Sparring
2005 – VKA Female Highest Points Competitor of the Year
2006 – 2nd Place VKA Champion in Black Belt Adult
Women’s Sparring.
Selena believes that AFK is successful because our focus is not on
how quick you can earn your belt; but on the quality of the material you
learn to get there. Practicing martial arts is not a race, because there is
no end. Once you become a martial artist you will understand.
her black belt in 2005. She played a critical role in developing AFK’s
after school program and marketing our school’s celebrated traditional
karate program. She has traveled and trained with some of the world’s
greatest martial arts legends, including: Bill Wallace, Steve “Nasty”
Anderson, Michael DePasquale, and Royce Gracie. Selena also
traveled to England in 06 for a training session with martial artists from
all over the world. She competed for 5 years in sport karate and 2
years in full contact kick boxing. Some of her achievements include:
2002 – 1st Place VKA (Virginia Karate Alliance) Champion in
Adult Women’s Weapons, Kata and Sparring
2002 – 1st Place North Carolina Sparring Championship
2003 – 1st Place VKA Champion in Adult Women’s Weapons,
Kata and Sparring
2003 – United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame –
Most Dedicated Martial Artist
2003 – American Martial Arts Alliance –
Outstanding Competitor of the Year
2004 – 1st Place VKA Champion in Advanced Adult Women's
Weapons, Kata and Sparring
2004 – VKA Female Highest Points Competitor of the Year
2004 – United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame –
Outstanding Martial Artist of the Year
2004 – American Martial Arts Alliance – Female Competitor of the Year
2004 – Sport Karate Living Legends – Outstanding Martial Artist
2005 – 1st Place VKA Champion in Advanced Adult Women’s
Weapons, Kata and Sparring
2005 – VKA Female Highest Points Competitor of the Year
2006 – 2nd Place VKA Champion in Black Belt Adult
Women’s Sparring.
Selena believes that AFK is successful because our focus is not on
how quick you can earn your belt; but on the quality of the material you
learn to get there. Practicing martial arts is not a race, because there is
no end. Once you become a martial artist you will understand.
Ramona R. Painter, a Roanoke Valley native,
began her martial arts career in June, 1992, at
the age of forty-five, under Grandmaster Eddie
Thomas. She was awarded her First Degree
Black Belt on September 9, 1995. On May 23,
2007, she was awarded her Fourth Degree
"Master" Black Belt under Master Thomas.
Ramona earned her First Degree Black Belt in
Shotokan in 2011. Ramona primarily teaches
adults during AFK's daytime classes and younger
students during AFK's Summer Karate Camp.
She is also a generous mentor, assisting many of
AFK's advanced students as they pursue their
Black Belts. Ramona continues in her individual
study of the martial arts.
began her martial arts career in June, 1992, at
the age of forty-five, under Grandmaster Eddie
Thomas. She was awarded her First Degree
Black Belt on September 9, 1995. On May 23,
2007, she was awarded her Fourth Degree
"Master" Black Belt under Master Thomas.
Ramona earned her First Degree Black Belt in
Shotokan in 2011. Ramona primarily teaches
adults during AFK's daytime classes and younger
students during AFK's Summer Karate Camp.
She is also a generous mentor, assisting many of
AFK's advanced students as they pursue their
Black Belts. Ramona continues in her individual
study of the martial arts.
| Ramona Painter |