Doshi, meaning "leading teacher," is the master instructor and head of the dojo, under Hanshi. A veteran of the United States Navy, he mixes his charismatic personality with discipline to teach fun and structured classes. He enjoys spending time with his fur babies/dogs, Fonzie and Budo. Also, Doshi has traveled to 48 states and over 15 countries performing/competing. His accomplishments include being a 5-time international champion and 12-time national champion. He is most proud of his Bully Buster Program - 12 steps for kids to handle bullies without fighting - which Matt volunteers teaching in four school districts and hopes to expand. Same as the Navy, Doshi Matt believes karate is a global force for good.
The Best Martial Arts & Self Defense Classes in Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, & Beyond!
Just what our family needed. Our son is 9 years old and has struggled for years with various motor skills issues and concentration. Throw in Covid the last few years during the most crucial academic time of his life and things were getting disastrous. We have done everything from therapy for his motor skills to tutoring for his academics and nothing really helped significantly. The wife and I decided martial arts was literally one of the last cards we could play so we went all in. We took our son to a few places, but he was set on Zahand’s, Matt really connected with him. Everyone is respectful, kind, helpful, and thoughtful. We feel as we have someone who has our back in helping Josh. In the few months he has been enrolled, he has become more confident, inquisitive, and more respectable. His grades have started to come up some, and he knows it, so that in turn has encouraged him to do better and try even harder. We have no regrets and couldn’t be any happier with the way things are going. Nothing more to say than a top notch business.
Anna Buck
If I could rate 10 stars out of 5 I would. When I first started I was nervous not only for getting outside of my comfort zone, but I knew martial arts in general was more of a male dominate sport….Not at this dojo! I joined and quite quickly more women were joining the adult class. It was the best feeling ever knowing I had made new friends and not to mention Matt & Hanshi made me feel like family from day one. They very openly support each students mental health & physical well being & push us to be our best each day and every class. I can honestly say I’m the happiest I’ve ever been and it’s because of the support the Zahand family has shown in & outside of the classes.
Robert S
I reluctantly chose to enroll my daughter in a martial arts school. My wife and I both have trained in martial arts and mixed martial arts. I was skeptical at first, however, my daughter was excited about a school presentation where Sensei Matt talked to the kids and conducted a little demonstration. Upon meeting Sensei Matt I realized that he and his staff were experts at dealing with and teaching children. My daughter has now been enrolled for a couple of months and I have to say that it was one of my best decisions to enroll her here at Zahand's. I could say nothing but great things about this school. The staff is professional and the instruction is top-notch. I look forward to having my daughter here for as long as she wants to do it. I'm also hoping that she will someday consider becoming an instructor herself. I have no doubts or hesitation about this school. They are straightforward friendly and professional keeping with the highest standards of the martial arts.
