Meet our instructors

Logan walked onto the CTL mat in 2016 for the most common reason there is: his kid. He signed his son Elijah up for Taekwondo under Master Ram, watched one class from the sideline, and decided the sideline looked boring.

He never looked back. Neither did Elijah, now a 1st Degree Junior Black Belt — a fact Logan will work into conversation whether you asked or not.

The Taekwondo years

What followed were the years of simply showing up: several sparring tournament wins, a lasting respect for anyone faster than him, and a weapons habit he still insists on calling "dabbling" despite the evidence.

He went on to spend two years helping instruct at CTL, where he learned what every instructor eventually learns — that teaching a technique is a far better way to understand it than drilling it alone a thousand times.

Then the mat got lower

Logan spent the next seven years training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Sergio Correa at Marra Senki, earning his brown belt. Seven years of early morning, of getting tapped by the unassuming and of the slow, humbling education that only arrives when you are thoroughly out-grappled on a regular basis.

Coming home

Now he is back where he started, leading the Grappling program at CTL and closing the loop from student to instructor.

Coach Logan is an open book. Ask him about a technique, a bad habit you cannot shake, or exactly how you ended up in that choke, and you will get a straight answer and probably a demonstration.

His advice to anyone thinking about it

The hardest belt to put on is the white one.

That is what he tells anyone standing outside the door wondering whether they are too old, too out of shape, or too late. The white belt is the one that says you are willing to be new at something in front of other people. Put it on. Everything after that is just time on the mat.

Sr. Grandmaster Johnny Thompson is a 9th Degree Black Belt in American Tang Soo Do and one of the most enduring leaders in American martial arts, with more than fifty-five years of continuous training, teaching, and organizational leadership.

Since 1988, he has served as President of the Tang Soo Do Karate Association and The Karate Association, where he has shaped ceremonial standards, ethical guidelines, and the historical legacy that define both organizations today. In 2016, he earned his 9th Gu Dan ranking in Dallas, Texas, promoted under the watchful eyes of the late Sigung Richard Bustillo, a world-renowned martial arts pioneer and direct student of Bruce Lee.

Military service

A proud U.S. Air Force veteran, Sr. Grandmaster Thompson retired in 1997 as a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, carrying forward the discipline, integrity, and service-driven leadership that continue to guide his life and teaching.

The competition years

During the 1980s and 1990s, he was consistently recognized as a Top Ten Rated Competitor throughout Region 6 by multiple martial arts publications. He credits much of his competitive success to the mentorship of Sr. Grandmaster Tom Balmos and Sr. Grandmaster Clarence "Daddyo" Smith, excelling in kata, kumite, and specialty weapons and earning a reputation for precision, determination, and technical excellence.

Service to the martial arts world

Sr. Grandmaster Thompson's influence extends across the broader martial arts world:

• Alumnus of the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame since 2003
• Lifetime Member of ChunJiDo International
• Ambassador to the International Martial Arts Council of America
• Ambassador to the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame
• Sitting board member of the Grandmasters Council

The Grandmasters Council is an annual gathering of senior martial arts leaders dedicated to preserving standards, ethics, and unity across systems.

Off the mat

Beyond his martial accomplishments, he is an avid motorcyclist and former Sergeant-at-Arms of his local Harley-Davidson chapter, known for promoting safety, camaraderie, and brotherhood among riders. He continues to ride today, embracing the freedom, clarity, and discipline that the open road provides.

A lifelong mentor

A lifelong mentor, historian, and architect of ceremonial tradition, Sr. Grandmaster Thompson remains a guiding force within American Tang Soo Do. His career reflects a steadfast commitment to excellence, respect, and the elevation of future generations, and his life's work stands as a testament to the transformative power of martial arts and the enduring impact of principled leadership.

Kwan Jang Nim Thompson is the President and Founder of the Tang Soo Do Karate Association and The Karate Association International around the globe. His system is rooted in American Tang Soo Do, and he has remained true to that system only, his whole career.

Master José A. Ramirez, known to his students and martial arts community as Master Ram, is the Founder, Owner, and Chief Instructor of Christian Taekwondo League (CTL) in San Antonio, Texas.

With more than 34 years of martial arts experience, Master Ram has dedicated his life to developing martial artists who are strong not only physically, but also in character, discipline, leadership, and faith.

A retired United States Navy Petty Officer First Class (E-6) with 20 years of military service, Master Ram brings the values of discipline, accountability, teamwork, and service into his martial arts instruction.

His martial arts journey

His journey began at age 17 in American Tang Soo Do under Master Art Lopez. Over the years, his training has expanded into Taekwondo, American Tang Soo Do, Filipino Martial Arts, tactical knife defense, Jun Fan Gung Fu, and other practical self-defense systems.

Master Ram currently holds a 5th Dan in Taekwondo and 4th Dan in American Tang Soo Do, along with instructor credentials and advanced training in several other martial arts systems.

Service beyond CTL

Master Ram serves as Head Coach of the U.S. Martial Arts Team – South Texas Region, and CTL proudly serves as its South Texas headquarters. He is also President of the South Texas U.S. Martial Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to help qualified martial artists overcome the financial costs of training and competition.

He holds rank under The Tang Soo Do Karate Association and is affiliated with ChunJiDo International, and has served the martial arts community through leadership, coaching, competition, ministry, and mentorship. He also serves as an Ambassador for Karate for Christ International, helping connect his martial arts ministry with his Christian faith.

Recognition

• Marquis Who's Who Honored Listee, 2026
• Induction into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame
• 2026 Silver Life Award
• 2024 Master of the Year
• 2024 James Cummings Jr. Spirit Award
• 2023 Edged Weapons Instructor of the Year
• 2018 Faith-Based School of the Year
• 2016 Martial Artist of the Year

Among other honors.

What it's really about

But for Master Ram, titles, ranks, trophies, and awards aren't the purpose of martial arts.

The students are.

His mission is to use martial arts as a tool to build confident young people, responsible adults, strong leaders, and individuals who understand that achievement must be earned through hard work. That mission is represented in the CTL creed:

Whether a student wants to build confidence, learn self-defense, improve discipline, earn a Black Belt, compete at a high level, or one day represent the United States Martial Arts Team, Master Ram believes every journey begins the same way:

Walk onto the mat. Be willing to learn. And earn everything that comes next.