# About CFTMA: Over 30 Years of Martial Arts Excellence
**Answer:** Founded in 1994 as the Jukido-Kai School of Martial Arts Bellefontaine branch and originally established as Eugue-Ryu, the Center for Traditional Martial Arts (CFTMA)—under its various names throughout the decades—has been a beacon of authentic martial arts instruction and character development across Ohio. Founded by Master Shane Topp and currently led by high-ranking blackbelts, our school teaches authentic, battlefield-tested martial arts passed down through an unbroken lineage stretching from post-war Japan to modern-day Ohio.
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### What You Will Learn
– The rich history of Jukido-Kai and its evolution from its Eugue-Ryu foundations.
– How our Head Dojo and branch locations in Bellefontaine and Zanesfield serve the martial arts community.
– The philosophy and direct lineage of our instruction, from its Japanese roots to Master Shane Topp and our current leadership.
– How our traditional approach differs from modern sport-focused schools.
For over 30 years, families across central and western Ohio have trusted us not just for self-defense, but for the profound character development that only authentic, traditional martial arts can provide. When you step onto our mats, you aren’t just joining a gym—you are becoming part of a deeply rooted lineage.
## Our History: From Jukido-Kai to CFTMA
Jukido-Kai was founded in 1994 under the guidance of Master Shane Topp as the Jukido-Kai School of Martial Arts with its original branch established in Bellefontaine. From its inception, the focus was never on building a massive business, but rather on preserving the authentic techniques and philosophies of its teachers.
As student enrollment grew, our organization expanded to serve more families seeking traditional martial arts training. In 2002, we began offering classes at the Hilliker YMCA in Bellefontaine, expanding our reach to Union County families and surrounding communities. This partnership allowed us to introduce more students to our curriculum while maintaining our commitment to authentic instruction.
As the years passed, our classes continued to grow, and in October 2007, we moved to our current purpose-built facility in Zanesfield, Ohio. While our name evolved from Jukido-Kai to the Center for Traditional Martial Arts (CFTMA), our core mission has never wavered: to provide the absolute best in self-protection, discipline, and physical wellness. Today, we operate our Head Dojo and maintain our strong presence at multiple locations, serving students across Logan County, Auglaize County, Union County, and surrounding regions.
## The Eugue-Ryu Lineage: Unbroken Expertise
When you train at CFTMA, you are learning a system that has been pressure-tested across generations. Our core curriculum is rooted in **Eugue-Ryu Karate-Jutsu**, originally founded by Kensenzu Yamaeugue as a Japanese Jujutsu system specializing in *Ate-waza* (devastating striking techniques).
The art found its way to the United States through the dedication of military veterans stationed overseas:
– **Ray E. Flowers (U.S. Army Air Corp):** Stationed at the Kimpo Air Base in Korea, Flowers trained in a small village where the system had migrated from Japan. “I was amazed by the fantastic hand techniques,” he recalled. Promoted to Nidan in 1947, he brought the art to the U.S. and taught until the early 1960s.
– **Oscar H. Adams:** A military veteran who took over the system from Flowers, Adams was a remarkably intense athlete who qualified for the 1964 Olympic trials in Judo. He founded the Budo Kai Karate Club in Lima, Ohio, blending Eugue-Ryu with Kodokan Judo to produce formidable martial artists.
– **Master Michael D. Young:** Appointed as successor around 1980, Sensei Young elevated the art to new levels of competitive excellence, becoming a three-time Ohio State Black Belt Grand Champion.
– **Master Shane Topp:** A dedicated student and instructor, Sensei Topp was officially promoted to the chief 5th Dan of Eugue-Ryu Karate-Jutsu by Sensei Young in April 2009. In October 2010, the system was updated to a traditional 10th Dan scale, and Sensei Topp was publicly named the Head of the System. Today, he holds the rank of 10th Dan.
– **Sensei Ron Smith and High-Ranking Instructors:** Carrying the torch of this rich lineage, our current instructors lead classes at our Bellefontaine and Zanesfield locations. With a deep commitment to the traditional values and techniques of Eugue-Ryu, our instructors ensure that the next generation of students receives the same high-caliber, authentic training that has defined our school for over 30 years.
## More Than Just Kicks and Punches
The martial arts practiced at CFTMA were not designed to win plastic trophies. They were born on battlefields and refined by veterans. Through the ongoing training and evolution spearheaded by Master Topp, we have incorporated elements of many different systems—from traditional striking and grappling to weapons training (Kobudo)—creating a comprehensive system of *Sogo Budo* (comprehensive martial ways).
Whether you are a parent looking for structure and focus for your child, or an adult seeking elite self-defense and functional fitness, you will find a welcoming, ego-free family at CFTMA. Visit our Bellefontaine or Zanesfield locations to experience our instruction firsthand.
We honor our past by forging strong, confident students for the future. We invite you to step onto the mat and write your own chapter in our history.