Hi everyone, my name is John VanCleve and I am the manager of Nackord Karate System in Wayne PA. This site is an online resume, if you will, of my experience as an instructor and my training history including my instructors whom I have trained under to earn my belt ranks. All my ranks have been earned on "on the matt" with my instructors starting from white belt and paid for in sweat, dedication, and the martial arts spirit, I have no honorary ranks on my training record.
Mr. Nackord is the original Kenpo instructor in Philadelphia. He came from California to spread Kenpo in the city. Mr. Nackord trained under the Tracy's System of Kenpo, and in Pasadena with Mr. Parker. Mr. Parker promoted Mr. Nackord to 6th degree black belt in 1984. Mr. Nackord was a member of the famous Tracy's fighting team. The team consisted of Ray Klingenberg, Jay T. Will, Mr. Nackord, and Karate legend Joe Lewis. Mr. Nackord is Grandmaster Lewis' highest ranking student. Grandmaster Lewis promoted Grandmaster Nackord to 9th degree black belt in 2008.
Because of Mr. Nackord's affiliation and standing in the martial arts, as well as the other highly respected instructors I have had the privilege of training extensively under some of the world's highest level martial artists instructors such as: Mr. Frank Trejo, Mr. Joe Palanzo. Mr. Richard "Huk" Planas, Mr. Sergio Souza, Roberto Atalla, and Mr. Tom Updagrove as well as seminars with Royce Gracie, legend Gene Labelle, and Olympic trainer Mike Swain.
Sincerely
John VanCleve Training History
Nackord Karate System - 5th Degree
(Grandmaster Dennis Nackord)
I began my training at the age of 12 in my hometown of Bristol PA under Mr. Chick Mason; but not for a long time. I started training again with Dennis Nackord in the late 80's after I moved to King of Prussia. My training has been under Mr. Nackord from the first day. I have received all my ranks, yellow belt through 5th degree black belt from him.
Joe Lewis Fighting Systems - 3rd Degree
(Grandmaster Joe Lewis)
Mr. Nackord is Joe Lewis' highest ranking black belt in the history of his organization and black belt promotions, at 9th degreee. Joe Lewis Fighting Systems is a big part of the NKS training method. Because of Mr. Nackord's long relationship with Joe Lewis, I was fortunate to start my training with Grandmaster Lewis in early 1990. I earned my Black Belt with Mr. Lewis in the mid 90's and, on April of 2001 Grandmaster Lewis promoted me to the rank of 3rd degree black belt in Joe Lewis Fighting Systems.
Brazilian American Jiu-Jitsu Institute - Blue Belt
(Alexandre Britto)
I started training in BJJ in Downingtown with Sergio Souza and Alexandre Britto in 2003. In 2005 Alex Britto of Brazilian American Jiu-Jitsu Academy promoted me to the rank of Blue Belt. http://onthemat.com/belts_database.php?mode=details&beltid=845
Gallery
Roll'in with the BJJ class.
Glamour Shot - LOL
Don't pretend you never did it.
Pedro Sauer
Mr. N and my wife Beth
Honored by the NKS organization in 2008.
NKS Black Belt testing board.
Scott Syrek. Lawrence Carroll. Mr. Nackord
Triathlon-Lancaster 2004
Mt. Gretna 2005 with Beth
Deleware 2005
Exiting the swim at Lum's Pond 2005
Post race excitement at Mt. Gretna 2006
Running to transition
With Ernie
John Durning-Scorr Syrek-Frank Troiano-Lawrence Carroll. Mr. Nackord's birthday party
NKS Black Belts 2008
MIke Borders at the Revolution Run Valley Forge 2006
1996
Mr. Nackord Seminar Baltimore MD
Jiu-Jitsu 2005
West Chester Jiu-Jitsu Tournament 2007
Soul Cup 2006
Training with Mr. Joe Lewis
Teaching with Lawrence Carroll
Kid's class
Nackord Camp 2007
Camp 2007 Lock and Choke seminar
NKS Camp with Mr. Nackord
Getting the elbow from Mr. Trejo 2008.
My Black Belt graduating class
Rick Colegrove-Rich Guillen-Rich Watson
Soul Cup
With Alex Britto
With Master Richard "Huk" Planas
Judo legend Master Gene Labelle
Magazine Cover
Martial Arts for Seniors
Training with Royce Gracie in Las Vegas
Tournament 1990
Group photo: Me, Scott Syrek, Master Joe Palanzo, Master Nackord, Skip Mc Clurg, John Durning, David Bolton
With Ken Brown
Birthday party for Mr. Nackord 1993
With Master Joe Planzo 1994
Adult class sometime in the 90's
Master Frank Trejo 1994
1992
1992
Feature Article for
MaSuccess Magazine
Sombo camp 1996
Master Frank Trejo
Original NKS patch
French karate magazine with we and Master. N and Dave Bolton
First tournament
Masters Lewis and Nackord and my wife Beth
My 3rd Degree Black Belt test
With Lawrence Carroll 6th Degree NKS Black Belt
Black Belt Promotion
Baltimore Kenpo Camp 1994
Photo from Master Nackord's Black Belt magazine article
