Instructors

Mark Sentoshi Russo

Master Mark Sentoshi Russo
Founder and Dean

To-Shin Do Kasumi-An 8th Degree Black Belt

Master Russo is recognized as the senior Kasumi-An To-Shin Do instructor and has studied martial arts from the age of eight. Mark is a personal friend and student of An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes, the Western Authority on Ninjutsu and Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, Grandmaster of the Bujinkan school of Budo Taijutsu.

Mark earned his MBA from the University of South Florida and spent many years as a corporate consultant to Fortune 500 companies.He brings the motivational and self-mastery techniques he taught corporate executives into the To-Shin Do classroom and imparts this valuable knowledge to his students.

Mr. Russo is the Dean of the Tampa Quest Center and possesses over 46 years of experience in the martial arts. In addition to his popularity gained through appearances in martial arts films, he has earned teaching licenses in five different martial disciplines:

  • Kasumi-An To-Shin Do, 8th degree Black Belt
  • To-Shin Do Shihan Hombu Representative
  • Awarded title of To Shi “Warrior Knight of the Lightning Bright Blade”
  • Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, 5th degree Black Belt Shidoshi
  • Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate, 4th degree Black Belt
  • Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do, 1st degree Black Belt
  • Kempo Jutsu, 1st degree Black Belt
  • Okinawan Kobojutsu, 2nd degree Black Belt

Helen Jotoshi Russo

Master Helen Jotoshi Russo – Vice President

To-Shin Do Kasumi-An 5th Degree Black Belt

Mrs. Russo has spent 18 years under the direct guidance of renowned senior Master Instructor Mark Sentoshi Russo and is one of only four women in the world to earn the title of To Shin Do Master instructor. Born in Nigeria and raised in Kent England, Mrs. Russo’s charm and disarming air stand in stark contrast to her outstanding skills as a master martial artist. Having raised two children of her own, Mrs. Russo has an uncanny ability to create rapport with children and encourage them to achieve new levels of excellence.

Mrs. Helen Jotoshi Russo is a true model of a martial artist with a perfect balance of kindness, compassion, and highly effective fighting skills. You will almost always find her smiling face greeting you at the door.

Awarded title of To-Shi “Warrior Knight of the Silent Blade”.