About MSD Kenpo Karate

About MSD Kenpo Karate

At MSD Kenpo Karate, we believe that real personal growth comes through challenge and perseverance. Our training is designed to push students beyond their perceived limits, helping them develop not only physical skills but also mental toughness and confidence. Martial arts isn’t just about self-defense—it’s about self-discovery. We train hard, but we also have fun. We laugh, we support one another, and we build a community of martial artists who are disciplined, strong, and always learning.

Our Approach

MSD Kenpo Karate is led by Mr. Robert Guida, a 30-year Army Officer with deployments to Bosnia and Iraq. With decades of experience in Kenpo Karate and a Black Belt in Modern Arnis, we offer a unique blend of traditional Kenpo techniques and practical, real-world self-defense applications. Our training incorporates Modern Arnis for weapons defense, making stick and knife techniques more realistic and effective. Students don’t just learn forms and techniques; they learn how to apply them under pressure in ways that work in real-life situations.

Our lineage and training background set us apart. Mr. Robert Guida began their Kenpo journey at Riederer’s Kenpo Self-Defense Studio, an offshoot of the Tracy System based on American Self-Defense, in Buffalo, NY during the 1980s. After earning a Black Belt, they trained under Joe Ferraccio, a practitioner of Paul Mills' Kenpo system, gaining deeper insight into its structure and effectiveness. Later, they studied with Frank Vigoroux and Jason Arnold, who introduced them to the formal Ed Parker 24-technique system, further refining their understanding of American Kenpo. Since 2020, Mr. Robert Guida has been a dedicated student of Grandmaster Doreen DiRienzo.

Honoring Our Lineage

Grandmaster Doreen DiRienzo is one of the most respected figures in American Kenpo, holding a 10th Degree Black Belt and recognized as the highest-ranked female Ed Parker Black Belt in the world. She began training in 1973, earning her 1st Degree Black Belt in 1977. As a personal student of Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker until his passing in 1990, she has dedicated decades to teaching and preserving the art. In 1980, she founded the Revere Karate Academy, where she has trained over 25,000 students and produced generations of martial artists. In her earlier years, she was a fierce competitor under her married name, Doreen Cogliandro, and a member of the prestigious Atlantic World Karate Team, a pioneering professional sport karate team. Her expertise and commitment to martial arts continue to inspire those who train under her, including Mr. Robert Guida, who proudly teaches Kenpo Karate in the tradition she upholds.

What to Expect in Training

Every class starts with 10 to 15 minutes of intense physical conditioning. This isn’t just about fitness—it’s about preparing the body and mind for the demands of training. Students then move into technique work, drilling key movements and combinations, followed by controlled contact drills and sparring. We believe that feeling what it’s like to hit and be hit—in a safe, structured way—helps students develop real confidence in their abilities.

Beginners typically take about a week to adjust to our training intensity, but as they progress, expectations rise. The higher the rank, the greater the pressure. We hold students to high standards, demanding more effort, precision, and resilience at every level.

Why Students Keep Coming Back

Students stay at MSD Kenpo Karate not just because of the challenge, but because of the environment we create. Training is hard, but we make sure it’s also engaging and rewarding. We push students to their limits, but we also celebrate their successes. Discipline and perseverance are key, but so is camaraderie and laughter. Martial arts should be tough—but it should also be something you enjoy.

If you’re ready to challenge yourself, grow stronger, and train in a place that values hard work, practical skill, and a supportive community, MSD Kenpo Karate is the place for you. Are you ready to step up?