Mr. Ernest is the chief instructor at Ramtown Karate. He began boxing training as young man under his father, who was a U.S. Marine boxer. Mr. Ernest wrestled on his high school teams in California and New Jersey. He was on the football starting line up and winning varsity 191-pound wrestler in a small college in Pennsylvania. In 1973, Mr. Ernest began training in Shotokan Karate under Mr. Kazumi Tabata in Boston. A year later, Mr. Ernest moved to Connecticut, training under Mr. Harry Hamzy and Mr. Joe Rossi, earning his black belt in Ketsuka, a karate and jujutsu mixed martial arts style, in 1977. He was an active East Coast tournament competitor, bouncer, and bodyguard to celebrities (Ian Anderson, Jerry Garcia). Mr. Ernest married Kathy and moved to Dixon California. He and his wife began teaching martial arts at the University of California, Davis. His friend and training partner Dennis Alexio became the World Heavyweight Kickboxing champion. Pursuing a career as peace officer, supervisor and trainer in California’s maximum-security prisons, Mr. Ernest served the State of California for 20 years. After years of training, Mr. Ernest was awarded a Fifth Degree belt under the Ketsuka system in 1993. Mr. Ernest met Okinawan karate master Koei Nohara in the early 90’s. Mr. Ernest was deeply impressed with the knowledge, technique, and spirit contained in the original Shorinryu karate of Okinawa, and the effectiveness of Mr. Nohara’s international knockdown fighting team. Mr. Ernest joined Mr. Nohara’s Ryukyukan Okinawan Karate Organization, traveling to Japan and studying internationally under Ryukyukan. Mr. Ernest is currently ranked as Hachidan (8th degree), Kyoshi, and Ryukyukan International Vice President. Mr. Ernest is an avid martial arts researcher, with a full library of martial arts books and videos collected from all over the world. He is is also a certified Acupressurist. He is a Ryukyukan Knockdown Karate referee and judge, and a certified referee (Ref. A/A) by USA Karate and the World Karate Federation (WKF), and ranked A/A by the Karate Referee Association (KRA). Mr. Ernest uses his knowledge and experience as a competitor, coach, trainer and instructor to produce top competitors in Karate Kumite, Karate Kata, Knockdown Karate, Kobudo, Kickboxing, and MMA events.

Sensei Kathy began her martial arts training in 1976, under her soon to be husband, Jim Ernest. From the beginning, she was a stand out karate competitor, winning more than her share of first places in East Coast competitions, and recognized as one of the very top East Coast fighters. She has competed nationally, and in Japan. Mrs. Ernest is also an accomplished business professional, retiring from a Silicone Valley firm in 2001. She is the president of Ramtown Karate, Inc., and childrens’ programs training manager. She is passionate about the martial arts, and passionate about her students. Her dedication and deep caring for the Ramtown Karate membership as a whole is a big reason for the close family feeling Ramtown members enjoy today.

From his high school days at Dixon High, where he was an integral part of the football team under Sensei Jim’s guidance, Fernando has been a dedicated member of the Ramtown Karate family. His journey in martial arts began in the 1980s, training initially in Sensei Jim’s backyard and later in various locations, before helping to establish the dojo’s First Street location.

Fernando’s commitment to karate is marked by his progression through its ranks, achieving Yondan rank on November 5, 2023. His competitive spirit shone brightly as he clinched the Knockdown championship title in Dixon in 2021 and previously in North Carolina in 2015.

At Ramtown Karate, Fernando is revered not just for his fighting prowess but also for his role in mentoring budding karatekas. His approach emphasizes maintaining the dojo’s reputation as a premier training ground for high-quality fighters. Fernando’s loyalty, work ethic, and dedication to teaching exemplify the core values that make Ramtown Karate a beacon for martial arts enthusiasts.

Sensei Mario is a 4th degree belt belt with extensive knockdown experience and a record of wins in the arena. He has trained at Ramtown Karate since he was 5 years old  and has developed a broad base of knowledge from Shorin Ryu, kickboxing, self-defense and full contact fighting. Sensei Mario is a much-loved  mentor to teens and adults alike.

TINY TIGERS / LITTLE DRAGONS

Instructor bio coming soon!

Sensei Ben began his martial arts training at 5 years old, inspired by his dad Sensei Jim Ernest, and world champion kick boxer Dennis Alexio, who practiced in the garage at his home.

Sensei Ben trained in karate, jujutsu, savate, aikido, and judo under his father, kajukenbo under Alan Reyes, and practiced with kick boxer Eugene Ray. In Junior High, and in high school he trained and competed as an Olympic Style Weight Lifter. In High School, he was an active karate tournament competitor in Northern California as well as a linebacker on his championship football team in 1999. He is now a schoolteacher in Dixon. He has been a team member on the IFL Lions, and Ken Shamrock’s Lions Den pro team, and pro training partner to Buddy Roberts and Vernon White.

Ben is always looking for good fighting and workout partners. His contact fighting team is growing in numbers and increasing in skill. His Saturday class is becoming a well known in the area. It is attracting professional athletes, driven karate students, MMA hopefuls, and police officers. He is always willing to wrestle or fight on Saturdays; anyone can come to the gym to work out, and try a Ramtown MMA class. Come and see him at Ramtown.

Sensei Charlie began his martial arts training under his parents at five years old in 1991. Sensei Charlie has competed in open circuit karate, wrestling and Judo. He is an experienced traditional sport karate kumite and kata competitor, competing at a national level in the USA Karate Nationals and the USA Open. Sensei Charlie is tall and thin, but has been most successful in the full contact and knockdown karate area, often defeating fighters who appear to be stronger. He has competed in full contact karate events in Europe, Japan, and the United States. Charlie Sensei uses form and strategy to succeed in the ring, two attributes which made him a sought after teacher and coach at Ramtown Karate.

Sensei Nicole has trained at Ramtown Karate since she was 7 years old. She grew up with her room full of karate tournament trophies and medals. Having trained and competed in Japan and Europe, she is equally talented at historical karate forms, point tournament fighting, and full contact karate fighting. She performs Okinawan weapons kata with grace and skill. She has spent many hours with the Ramtown MMA team, respected as an amazing stand up fighter who can also hold her own on the ground. Sensei Nicole competed in the USA Karate Nationals, placing 2nd in the nation in Okinawan Karate Kata, and was picked as an alternate fighter for the USA Pan American Games Karate Team after losing to the first place woman in the last 10 seconds of an overtime round.