Mitch Markowitz
Krav Maga Experience: 39 years training/teaching.4th Degree Black Belt Mitch holds a 4th Degree Black belt in Krav Maga making him one of the highest ranking instructors in the country. He began his martial arts training at age seven. He trained in Judo and competed in tournaments throughout Southern California until age 13.
Mitch began his Krav Maga training in 1985 with the US Chief Instructor Darren Levine. He received his black belt and instructor certifications from Darren Levine and the Israeli Chief Instructor Eyal Yanilov. Mitch began teaching in 1988 at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. In 1992, Mitch co-founded Krav Maga of Orange County with Michael Leifer. In 2009 he co-founded the Krav Maga Martial Arts and Training Center in Mission Viejo. Mitch holds the rank of Shodan in Aikido and is an instructor with the Mission Aikido dojo. In addition to Judo, Krav Maga and Aikido, Mitch has experience in Ninjitsu, Jujitsu, Boxing and Kali. He is an NRA certified pistol instructor and a graduate of the School for Instructors at the Wingate Institute in Israel for Martial Arts Education.
Mike Leifer
Krav Maga Experience: 39 years training/teaching.2nd Degree Black Belt. Mike began his training in Krav Maga in 1985. He received his black belt and instructor certification from the US Chief Instructor Darren Levine and Israeli Chief Instructor Eyal Yanilov. Mike holds a 2nd Degree Black belt in Krav Maga.
He co-founded Krav Maga of Orange County in 1992 with Mitch Markowitz and has been instructing both civilian and law enforcement in the program since then. He is a graduate of the School for Instructors at the Wingate Institute in Israel for Martial Arts Education. He has participated in seminars conducted by the highest ranking Krav Maga instructors in the US and Israel including Darren Levine, Eyal Yanilov, Tamir Gilad, Jon Pascal, Amir Perets, Avi Abeceedon, Erez Sharabi, and Jarret Waldman.
Yuri Boiarsky
Krav Maga Experience: 39 years training/teaching, US and international.4th Degree Black Belt / Advanced Civilian Law Enforcement Instructor Certified. Yuri trained and became an instructor in Natanya, Israel under Mr. Eli Avikzar (Imi’s top student at the time). He received his black belt from Krav Maga founder Imi Lichtenfeld himself. Yuri holds a 4th Degree Black belt in Krav Maga.
He is a graduate of the Senior Instructor program for Martial Arts Education (He is the second in the world to receive this prestigious certificate) and a graduate of the Coaching Program in Martial Arts Education from the Academic College Levinsky-Wingate in Israel. Currently he is a Professional Director in Martial Arts and Lecturer in Sports Science and Martial Arts at The Academic College Levinsky-Wingate in Israel, teaching International Krav Maga Instructor Courses. Yuri was teaching the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as well as civilians and law enforcement personnel in Israel. Yuri provided training to Israeli and US security forces protecting embassies and consulates as well as local law enforcement agencies in the U.S. He has been teaching with Krav Maga of Orange County since 2001. In addition to Krav Maga, Yuri has trained in Aikido, Boxing, kickboxing and Thai boxing. In addition to teaching adults, Yuri is a certified km-X, (Krav Maga for Kids) Instructor and the head of the program in our schools. In 2009 he co-founded the Krav Maga Martial Arts and Training Center in Mission Viejo. He is an NRA certified pistol instructor and a certified Law Enforcement Instructor.
Larry Lubman
Krav Maga Experience: 36 years training/teaching.3rd Degree Black Belt / Advanced Civilian Law Enforcement Instructor Certified. Larry is a Southern California native and began his training in Krav Maga in 1988 under one of Darren Levine's first black belt instructors. He began training with Mike & Mitch in Orange County in 1994 shortly after KMOC was founded, eventually becoming a partner.
He received his first instructor certification in 1995 after completing courses taught by Darren and Internation Krav Maga Federation Head Instructor Eyal Yanilov and has been teaching ever since. Larry received his 1st Degree Krav Maga Black Belt 1997 at the grand opening of the Krav Maga National Training Center in Los Angeles, CA. He was promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt in 2014 and 3rd degree Black Belt in 2019. Larry is a graduate of the instructor program from the Academic College Levinsky-Wingate in Israel. He has also completed several Krav Maga seminars under the tutelage of Darren Levine, Eyal Yanilov, Tamir Gilad, Avi Abeceedon, Erez Sharabi, Ron Rotem and Amir Perets.
Paul McGregor
Krav Maga Experience: 17 years training/teaching.2nd Degree Black Belt / Advanced Civilian Law Enforcement Instructor Certified. Paul was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland and joined Krav Maga of Orange County in 2007. Paul holds a 2nd Degree Black belt in Krav Maga. He began training in martial arts at the age of 14.
He holds a second degree black belt in Shotokan Karate from the Scottish Karate Association. He is a Krav Maga Worldwide certified instructor and earned his black belt in 2016. He completed his instructor training under the tutelage of Darren Levine, Kelly Campbell, AJ Draven, Michael Margolin and Jon Pascal; and has participated in seminars conducted by the highest ranking Krav Maga instructors in the US and Israel including Darren Levine, John Whitman, Jon Pascal, Eyal Yanilov, Tamir Gilad, Amir Perets, Avi Abeceedon, Erez Sharabi, and Jarret Waldman. He is an NRA certified pistol instructor and a certified Krav Maga Worldwide Force Training Division Law Enforcement Instructor.
Elana Maibor
Krav Maga Experience: 18 years training/teaching.1st Degree Black Belt / Advanced Civilian Law Enforcement Instructor Certified. Elana was born and raised in Boston, MA, which is where she began training in Krav Maga in 2006. She has been training in the martial arts since a young age, and past experience includes Tang Soo Do, Bagua Zhang, Tai Chi, Japanese Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, ...
... Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Haganah, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She is a graduate of the instructor program from the Academic College Levinsky-Wingate in Israel. Elana is currently teaching in KMOC's Adults, children and women's programs. She is a certified instructor and is currently working toward her 2nd degree black belt. She has participated in seminars conducted by Mike Lee Kanarek, Darren Levine, and Matt Romond.
Mike Flood
Krav Maga Experience: 19 years training/teaching.1st Degree Black Belt / Civilian Law Enforcement Instructor Certified. Mike has trained in Krav Maga since 2005 and received his black belt from John Whitman in 2011. He is a KMW certified instructor, KMW certified Law Enforcement Instructor, and is a certified FAST instructor.
He also currently trains in muay thai and his past martial arts include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do and Boxing. He has participated in seminars conducted by the highest ranking Krav Maga instructors in the US and from Israel.
Jacob Boiarsky
Krav Maga Experience: 15 years training/teaching.Brown Belt. Jacob began training in Krav Maga with KMOC in 2009 and has steadily progressed through the system. He is a certified instructor and currently training for his black belt. He is currently teaching in KMOC's Adult and children's program.
He has participated in seminars conducted by the highest ranking Krav Maga instructors in the US and from Israel including Darren Levine, Eyal Yanilov, Tamir Gilad, Jon Pascal, Amir Perets, Jarret Waldman, Avi Abeceedon and Erez Sharabi.
Bob McClain
Krav Maga Experience: 21 years training/teaching.Brown Belt. Bob is certfied by Krav Maga Worldwide as a brown belt instructor and works for a federal law enforcement agency. He brings a wealth of experience to the mat teaching students here at KMOC.
Dieter Jacobs
Krav Maga Experience: 11 years training/teaching.Brown Belt / Civilian Law Enforcement Instructor Certified. Dieter Jacobs (DJ) was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and move to California in 2000. He started training Krav Maga in 2013 in Chino Hills, and became a Krav Maga Worldwide Certified Instructor in 2015. He began training with Krav Maga OC in 2018.
He has trained under some of the highest ranking instructors in the USA, including Kelly Campbell, Wayne Miller, John Merkle (Jr.), and Christian Medina.
Dean Adams
Krav Maga Experience: 8 years training/teaching.Brown Belt. Born and raised in Southern California, Dean started training in Krav Maga in 2016. He is Deputy with a Southern California Sheriff’s Department. He is a certified instructor and currently training towards his Black Belt.
In addition to addition to Krav Maga, he is training in Kickboxing. Dean has participated in seminars conducted by the highest ranking Krav Maga instructors in the US and from Israel
Robert Sherman
Krav Maga Experience: 18 years training/teaching.Blue Belt. Raised in Rochester, NY, Robert started his training in wrestling for one of the top ranked high school programs in the state. He trained in Aikido in Tempe, AZ for three years until he moved to Los Angeles. In 2006, Robert walked into the KMW center in West LA and has been training ever since.
He is currently working towards his brown belt and has been a Krav Maga certified instructor at KMW West LA since 2009. Robert's professional career has brought him to Orange County. He has participated in seminars conducted by the highest ranking Krav Maga instructors in the US including Darren Levine, Kelly Campbell, and Jon Pascal.
Douglas Farmer
Krav Maga Experience: 15 years training/teaching.Blue Belt. Doug is a local native and attorney. He first began his training in martial arts at the age of 16. He has 7 years experience in Ed Parker's American Kenpo, 4 years in Shito-Ryu Karate under one of the top Japanese instructors in the United States, ...
... 4 years in Shorinji Kempo ( a style similar to aiki-jujitsu), 2 years in Aikido study part of which is with KMOC's own Mission Aikido. He has been exposed to law enforcement defensive tactics as a graduate of the OCSD academy and past employment with a local law enforcement agency. Doug came to KMOC in 2009 to expand his study of street applicable fighting systems and is working towards his brown belt. He is currently involved in KMOC's Adult and children's program. Since finding KMOC, he has been priviledged to complete seminars with some of the top Krav Maga instructors within the system including Darren Levine, Jarrett Waldman, Kelly Campbell, Matt Romond, Avi Abeceedon, Erez Sharabi, and Tamir Gilad.
Bruno Drago
Krav Maga Experience: 9 years training/teaching.Blue Belt. Born in Brazil, he started his martial art training in Kung Fu for a number of years. He has been training in Krav Maga since 2015. Bruno is a certified instructor and is currently training towards his Brown belt. He has trained under some of the highest ranking instructors in the USA such as Kelly Campbell.
Nick West
Krav Maga Experience: 19 years training/teaching.Blue Belt. Born in Shreveport, LA and after living all over the US, Nick moved to CA in 2017. He's been training in martial arts for all his adult life. He started training in Krav Maga in 2005. In edition to KM, he has extensive experience with multiple styles of Kali (7 years), BJJ (1.5 years), Jeet Kune Do (1 year), and Boxing.
Mike LePre
Krav Maga Experience: 11 years training/teaching.Brown Belt. Mike began his training in Krav Maga with KMOC in 2013 and has progressed through the system earning his Brown belt. He is currently working towards his black belt. He is a graduate of the instructor program from the Academic College Levinsky-Wingate in Israel. He is currently involved in KMOC's Adult program.
Since finding KMOC, he has been privileged to complete seminars with some of the top Krav Maga instructors within the system including Darren Levine, Jarrett Waldman, Kelly Campbell, Matt Romond, Christian Medina and Tamir Gilad.
Barret Torres
Krav Maga Experience: 12 years training/teaching.Blue Belt. Barret began his training in Krav Maga with KMOC in 2012 and has progressed through the system earning his blue belt. He is currently working towards his Brown belt. Barret is a trained EMT and has extensive knowledge in weightlifting and physical fitness. He is a certified krav Maga instructor with the Academic College Levinsky-Wingate in Israel.
He is currently involved in KMOC's Adult program. Since finding KMOC, he has been privileged to complete seminars with some of the top Krav Maga instructors within the system including Darren Levine, Jarrett Waldman, Kelly Campbell, Matt Romond, Christian Medina and Tamir Gilad.
Nathan Teal
Krav Maga Experience: 11 years training/teaching.Blue Belt. A native of Southern California, Nathan started training at KMOC in 2013 at the age of nine. He started in the kids' program where he achieved his blue belt before transferring to adult classes. Nathan became a certified Krav Maga Worldwide instructor in the summer of 2019.
He is currently training for his brown belt and practicing for his next level of instructor training. In addition to training and teaching Nathan has participated in seminars from several high ranking instructors from the US, Israel, and Luxembourg.
Mark Coxon
Kickboxing Experience: 30 years training/teaching.Mark started training in Muay Thai Kickboxing at Fairtex in Chandler AZ in 1994. In spring 1995 Fairtex moved to San Francisco, CA and Mark cofounded House of Pain Muay Thai in Gilbert AZ, where he trained under Lightweight Champion Sakasem Kanthawong.
Mark taught Muay Thai at House of Pain and fought as a middleweight at 155 lbs for 2 years. Mark has taught Muay Thai in small classes at several gyms over the last 15 years. To a lesser extent, Mark has also has practiced some basic Aikido, Hapkido, and Gojuryu.