Dan Dixon (center) with his coaches Chance Wanlass (left) and Chris Haueter (right)
Professor Dan Dixon, born May, 30th 1970, is the owner and head instructor of Impact Fitness and Martial Arts. He is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo. This makes him the only individual in the area to hold black belts simultaneously in these two martial arts. He began weight training at the age of 13 and competed in amature bodybuilding competitions in his late teens and early twenties. He Studied Physical Education at Glassboro State College. In 2001, at the age of 31 he began training in and competing in Judo. In 2005, he discovered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In September of 2009, Sensei Dixon earned his Blackbelt in Judo.
Sensei Dixon is currently a certified personal trainer and a black belt in both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo. He is also a certified Judo Instructor with the United States Judo Association. He received his blue belt in BJJ from Luiz Palhares in 2006 and his Brown Belt from Professor Palhares in April of 2010. In March 2011, our school became a part of Chris Haueter's Combat Base. Chris is the highest ranking non-Brazilian in the world and we are proud to be associated with this excellent instructor and person. On November 12, 2011, Dan Dixon was awarded his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blackbelt by his coach Chance Wanlass along with Chris Haueter. Dan Dixon is Chance Wanlass’ first Black belt, and professor Dixon looks forward to making his coaches proud.
Although Sensei Dixon has been successful personally in competition, he finds it very rewarding helping his students achieve their own goals.
In less than three years our club has accumulated the following:
8 NAGA World Champions
40 NAGA and Grapplers Quest Gold Medals
Multiple NAGA and Grapplers Quest North American Champions
Over 100 Competition Medals!!!
Our small team has placed 10th, 9th, 5th 4th and 6th in recent NAGA events.
Below is Sensei Dixon's personal competition record:
2011 IBJJF World Jiu Jitsu Championships-Long Beach, Ca- competitor
2011 Naga World Championships 2nd place Adult Black/Brown Division
2011 Naga World Championships 2nd place Expert Directors Division
2011 IBJJF New York International Brown Belt Ultra Heavy Champion
2011 IBJJF New York International Brown Belt Senior 2 Absolute Champion
2010 NAGA Battle at the Beach Director's Expert Division Champion (Belt)
2008 Diamond State Games 2nd Place Brown Belt absolute Division
2008 Battle at the Beach 3rd place Brown/Black Division
2008 NAGA Masters Gi EXPERT Division World Champion
2007 NAGA North American Grappling Championships 3rd place Brown/Black belt division
2007 Garden State Grappling Championships 2nd Place Purple Belt
2007 Grappler's Quest North American Grappling Championships 2nd Place Brown Belt Division
2007 NAGA Battle at the Beach 3rd place Purple Belt level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
2007 Grappler’s Quest Beast of the East 2nd place purple belt level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
2007 Diamond State Championships 3rd place purple belt level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
2006 Grappler’s Quest Copa Atlantica 2nd place blue belt level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
2005 Liberty Bell Judo Championships 2nd place Brown belt division
2003 Liberty Bell Judo Championships 2nd place Brown Belt division
2004 Cranford Judo Open 3rd place open division
2003 N. E. Philly open 2nd place Brown Belt division
2003 Beltsville Open Green Belt division 3rd Place
2003 Massachusetts State Championships 2nd place Green Belt division
2002 Northeast Philly Open 2nd place Brown Belt Division
Sensei Dan is joined at the gym by his wife Tara and his four children. Dan's wife Tara (29) is a Blue Belt and NAGA World Champion and has been training in Jiu Jitsu for over two years. She also does personal training and helps instruct women's fitness classes. His son Dain (19) is a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and competes in Mixed Martial Arts events.
Connor (15) is an active competitor and helps instruct kids classes. Mason (6) participates in our Mighty munchkin Classes. Ilana is the newest little member of our family. She was born on August 11th,2009. She is a absolutely precious little gift from God and the whole family loves her.