TAMA Martial Arts Center Youth & Family Martial Arts Programs
1753 Woodman Dr, Dayton, OH 45420
About
TAMA Martial Arts Center Youth & Family Martial Arts Programs offers training in Kenpo Karate, Jiu-jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai Kickboxing, Taiqi/Taiji, Kung-fu/Tien Shan Pai Kung-fu, Aikijutsu (Aikido)/Daito Ryu Aikijutsu, Filipino Kali/Eskrima/Arnis/Jeet Kune Do (JKD), and Krav Maga/Integrated Self-Defense/Self-protection. The youth programs include Kids Karate, Kids Muay Thai, Kids Jiu-Jitsu, Kids Kung-Fu, and Mighty Mites Kid’s Karate. Students can cross-train in multiple martial arts disciplines within the same center.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
TAMA Martial Arts has specialized in martial arts since 1976 and has served the Dayton area and surrounding communities for nearly 50 years. The program is described as a family martial arts center where families and individuals have trained since 1976, with separate classes for kids and adults, Kids Martial Arts Classes for ages 4–12, Mighty Mites Kid’s Karate specifically for ages 4–6, and Adult Martial Arts Programs for ages 13 and up. The center offers eight different martial arts training programs in one place and has an award-winning children’s martial arts program for Kids Muay Thai, Kids Karate, Kids Jiujitsu, and Kids Kung-Fu, along with a special offer of free 2 days of lessons.
Grandmaster Manuel R. Taningco is the founder and owner of TAMA and serves as the Chief Martial Arts Instructor, and he has been a martial arts coach in the Dayton Metro area for 49 years. He is a licensed Muay Thai instructor under Kru Vut Kamnark of the United World Muay Thai Association, and TAMA is an associate of Professor Luiz Palhares, who was awarded the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by GrandMaster Carlos Robson Gracie in 2018. TAMA’s mission states that it focuses on empowering students with confidence, helping them achieve their goals, and unlocking their full potential, with an approach that combines compassion, humility, and positive reinforcement and emphasizes protector principles, responsibility, and service. The program description states that it focuses on building life skills such as mental resilience, emotional intelligence, self-discipline, focus, mutual respect, perseverance, and determination, and that programs are structured to support growth physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.
TAMA has received recognition from military and law enforcement agencies including the US Air Force Security Forces, the Philippine Marines and Special Action Force, and the US Marshals for close combative training in Dayton, Ohio. Listed credentials and awards include the Ohio Black Belt Hall of Fame, World Martial Arts Hall of Fame “Instructor of the Year,” UFAF Chuck Norris Award (1982, 1983, 1984), Bruce Lee & Arnold Legends of Martial Arts Hall of Honor Lifetime Achievement Award, Eastern Martial Arts Hall of Fame “Instructor of the Year,” Circle of Masters Hall of Fame “Instructor of the Year,” a Martial Arts Excellence Award from the US Marines at Quantico, and US Marshal recognition for close combative training, as well as an Award Winning Children Martial Arts Program for Kids Muay Thai, Kids Karate, Kids Jiujitsu, and Kids Kung-Fu.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
TAMA Martial Arts has specialized in martial arts since 1976 and has served the Dayton area and surrounding communities for nearly 50 years. The program is described as a family martial arts center where families and individuals have trained since 1976, with separate classes for kids and adults, Kids Martial Arts Classes for ages 4–12, Mighty Mites Kid’s Karate specifically for ages 4–6, and Adult Martial Arts Programs for ages 13 and up. The center offers eight different martial arts training programs in one place and has an award-winning children’s martial arts program for Kids Muay Thai, Kids Karate, Kids Jiujitsu, and Kids Kung-Fu, along with a special offer of free 2 days of lessons.
Grandmaster Manuel R. Taningco is the founder and owner of TAMA and serves as the Chief Martial Arts Instructor, and he has been a martial arts coach in the Dayton Metro area for 49 years. He is a licensed Muay Thai instructor under Kru Vut Kamnark of the United World Muay Thai Association, and TAMA is an associate of Professor Luiz Palhares, who was awarded the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by GrandMaster Carlos Robson Gracie in 2018. TAMA’s mission states that it focuses on empowering students with confidence, helping them achieve their goals, and unlocking their full potential, with an approach that combines compassion, humility, and positive reinforcement and emphasizes protector principles, responsibility, and service. The program description states that it focuses on building life skills such as mental resilience, emotional intelligence, self-discipline, focus, mutual respect, perseverance, and determination, and that programs are structured to support growth physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.
TAMA has received recognition from military and law enforcement agencies including the US Air Force Security Forces, the Philippine Marines and Special Action Force, and the US Marshals for close combative training in Dayton, Ohio. Listed credentials and awards include the Ohio Black Belt Hall of Fame, World Martial Arts Hall of Fame “Instructor of the Year,” UFAF Chuck Norris Award (1982, 1983, 1984), Bruce Lee & Arnold Legends of Martial Arts Hall of Honor Lifetime Achievement Award, Eastern Martial Arts Hall of Fame “Instructor of the Year,” Circle of Masters Hall of Fame “Instructor of the Year,” a Martial Arts Excellence Award from the US Marines at Quantico, and US Marshal recognition for close combative training, as well as an Award Winning Children Martial Arts Program for Kids Muay Thai, Kids Karate, Kids Jiujitsu, and Kids Kung-Fu.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
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