Gabby Byrne
Master Instructor / Owner
•6th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
•Purple Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu “Yamasaki Academy”
•Multiple medals in Tae Kwon Do, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
•Owner – Mt. Kim Martial Arts Culpeper
Gabby started training in martial arts when she was 9 years old. She received her Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do under Grandmaster Mountain Kim when she was fifteen. She is now one of the only female master instructors in the Mountain Kim organization. In 2011 she was introduced to Paul Bush of the Yamasaki Academy and fell in love with Jiu-Jitsu. She is now a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and trains daily. She is also a Graduate of George Mason University with a BS in Finance. Gabby has a passion for martial arts and enjoys motivating and helping others succeed. In her time off the mats she enjoys spending time with her husband Dennis and four beautiful children.
Our Team
Dennis Byrne
Master Instructor / Owner
•4th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
•1st Degree Black Belt Judo
•Black Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu “Yamasaki Academy”
•Judo Senior Nationals Gold medalist
•Multiple medals in grappling competitions
•Owner – Mt. Kim Martial Arts Culpeper
Dennis Byrne
Started martial arts in 1988 with Okinowan Karate at a YMCA in
Pennsylvania. After moving to Virginia his martial arts training was
put on hold until 2005. It was at this time that he met his wife
Gabrielle who is the step-daughter of Grandmaster Mountain Kim who operates numerous martial arts schools in the Northern Virginia and DC area. Dennis picked up his training and never looked back. He is currently a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, 2nd Degree Black Belt in Judo, 1st Degree Black Belt in Hapkido, and a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Yamasaki Academy). Dennis has won countless medals, belts, and awards in grappling and is a 2013 Senior National Champion in Judo. Dennis is on the mats everyday and is currently working towards his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In his time off the mats Dennis enjoys spending time with his wife, three sons, and daughter, fishing, and hiking.
Paul Bush
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
•4th Degree BJJ Black Belt
•Former MMA Fighter
•Former BJJ Competitor
•Winner of Numerous International Competitions
•Founder of Yamasaki Leesburg
Carl Wilson
Master Instructor
•3rd Degree Black Belt in Judo
•Black Belt – Haidong Gumdo Korean Sword
•National Judo Competitor
•Highly respected Judo referee
Trevor Pennington
MMA Fighter / BJJ purple belt
Trevor joined our team in 2018. He trains Mt. Kim Martial Arts and Yamasaki Jiu-Jitsu. His education includes Bachelors of History degree and is currently finishing his masters in literature and culture studies. He is an active competitor fighting in the cage and jiu-jitsu tournaments. He is a great addition to our martial arts family.
Connor McFarland
Instructor
Connor is a Black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and an active MMA competitor.