Martial Artist

Fonseca started his training at the age of six in Long Island, New York. He began competing nationally at the age of seven and continued his training and competition when he relocated to Chicago at the age of 10. At age 15 he began representing Team USA as a junior, competing in International competitions under WUKO (World Union of Karate Organization) which later became the WKF (World Karate Federation). At age 18 he joined the senior US Team and competed in his first World Championship in Malaysia. Fonseca was USA Team captain from 2000-2008 and continued his karate training under the coaching of Jack Pressman, James Blann, Tokey Hill, Jo Mirza, and Seiji Nishimura. Fonseca also studied Taekwondo under William Lee and Dae Sung Lee and Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Adem and Edie Redzovic.

John is the first karate athlete in the world to win repeat gold medals at the Pan American Games, the first American to medal at the Karate World Championships in almost 20 years, and is the first American karate athlete to win the Paris Open in over 30 years. He is a sixth degree black belt in Shotokan karate, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a black belt in Taekwondo.

In 2018, John Fonseca was approached by Rush University Hospital concerning a pilot study about the effects of martial arts on individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. After working closely with the doctors at Rush, the Kick Out PD program was formed and implemented at all five Fonseca Martial Arts Dojos. The initial study showed promising results and a second study was granted.

In August 2003, Fonseca founded his own dojo, called Fonseca Martial Arts, in Skokie, Illinois. In 2008, Fonseca relocated the dojo to its present location in Evanston, Illinois. In 2016, Fonseca Martial Arts expanded into a second dojo in Wilmette, Illinois and quickly gained students. Following the success of the Wilmette Dojo opening, a third Fonseca Martial Arts dojo was opened in Chicago’s Roscoe Village neighborhood in February of 2017. Two more dojos followed at the end of 2018: Park Ridge and Glenview, Illinois. To date, the Fonseca Martial Arts is home to over 1,200 students with programs that have expanded into local schools, park districts, and corporate locations. Fonseca Martial Arts also offers an online training platform for students of all ages, levels and fitness.

John Fonseca has conducted martial arts instructional seminars domestically and internationally. Through his organization Fonseca Martial Arts, he has hosted National and International Team Training Camps and has helped prepare US athletes for National and International Competition. To book a seminar with John Fonseca in BJJ, Karate, or Self-Defense, please tap the contact button below.