Meet Your Instructors

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Karate Instructor Gerry Hendewich

Gerry Hendewich is a distinguished martial artist with the rank of 7th Dan in Uechi-ryu Kenyukai. His journey began in 1983 in Hartford, CT, under the tutelage of Master John Spencer, to whom he has remained a dedicated student ever since. His formative years were also shaped by influential sensei’s such as Ernest Harriman, John Griffin, and Alan C. Rosetto. Over his extensive career, Mr. Hendewich has broadened his expertise to include other disciplines. He studied with Master Jon Palais (ITF Taekwondo), trained in Wing Chun for five years with Sifu Tony Koleczek, and for the last three years, has been learning Black Flag Kung Fu under Suhu John Hackmeyer. After moving to Florida, he also received his Shihan certificate and 5th Dan from Grandmaster Shinyu Gushi. An accomplished competitor throughout the 90s and early 2000s, he achieved numerous top-three finishes in both kata and sparring at local, national, and international tournaments. His competition career culminated in a major victory when he won the Sparring Grand Championship at George Mattson's 2001 World Tournament in Boston. Today, Mr. Hendewich is the co-owner of the Oldsmar dojo alongside Sensei Mark McElroy. Tasked with continuing the dojo's legacy from Sensei Ryan Dean and its founder, Master Frank Gorman, they are committed to upholding its tradition of high quality instruction for years to come.

Karate Instructor Mark McElroy

Mark McElroy is a seasoned martial artist and a 4th degree black belt in Uechi-ryu karate. His journey in martial arts began at the age of 12, leading him to achieve his 1st degree black belt in Goju-ryu karate by age 16. While serving in the U.S. Navy, he was a key member of the taekwondo team, where he won first place in the Armed Forces

Championship and qualified for the World Championships. In 2012, his career as a physical therapist in the U.S. Air Force took him to Okinawa, Japan—the homeland of karate. For five years, he immersed himself in the study of Uechi-ryu under the legendary Grandmaster Kiyohide Shinjo, famously known as the "Okinawan Superman." Since 2017, Mr. McElroy has been an integral part of the Oldsmar dojo, where he is now a co-owner with Sensei Gerry Hendewich. Together, they are dedicated to sharing the authentic Okinawan style and heritage, fostering a true learning experience focused on guiding each student on their own true path.

Karate Instructor Matthew McElroy

Matthew McElroy began his martial arts journey at the age of 15 after moving to Okinawa, Japan, where he trained in Uechi-Ryū karate under Grandmaster Kiyohide Shinjo. He lived in Okinawa for nearly five years, fully immersing himself in both the culture and his training.

After returning to the United States in the summer of 2017, Matthew continued his Uechi-Ryū practice at The Dojo, further refining his skills and deepening his understanding

of the art. He earned his 1st Dan (1st-degree black belt) at age 19 in 2017, followed by his 2nd Dan (2nd-degree black belt) on April 17, 2019. On April 16, 2023, he achieved the rank of 3rd Dan (3rd-degree black belt), marking another significant milestone in his martial arts journey.

In addition to his martial arts accomplishments, Matthew graduated from the University of South Florida in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Developmental Psychology.

Today, Matthew continues to actively practice Uechi-Ryū karate and serves as an instructor at The Dojo of Oldsmar, where he is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and supporting the growth of his students.

Kung Fu Instructor Sifu Tony Koleczek

Hi, I’m Sifu Tony Koleczek. I bring over 28 years of martial arts experience, beginning with Okinawan Shotokan Karate and later transitioning to Wing Chun Kuen Kung Fu.

I studied Wing Chun Kuen under GM Sifu Steve Lee Swift, who learned Wing Chun Kuen from Grand Masters Simon Lau, Ip Chun, Ip Ching, and Wong Shou Leung.

Today, I train with the Shaolin Wing Chun Federation at the Ving Tsun Museum in Dayton, Ohio, led by GM Sigung Benny Meng. I’m currently deepening my understanding of Shaolin Wing Chun Kung Fu directly under Grand Master Benny Meng (Dayton, Ohio) and Master Sifu Brad Rayan (Katy, TX).

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