American Jiu Jitsu Centers

American Jiu Jitsu Blackbelts

O’Sensei Joseph B. Puleio

Founder and director of American Jiu Jitsu Centers. OSensei is happily married to his wife Donna and has two wonderful children Joey and Marissa. He has been training for over 3 decades in the martial arts and is a 7th degree Black Belt in the art of self defense. O’Sensei has Also received Godan rank 5th degree Black Belt directly under Grand Master Shoto Tanemura in Kokusai Jiu Jitsu, Also received rank in Arnis Lanada directly under Grand Master Lanada in the art of Philippine Knife and Stick Fighting.O’Sensei has taught at Meet The Master and Jiu Jitsu American for 5 years Along with the top Instructor in the World O’Sensei Puleio is a professional speaker, seminar leader, and entrepreneur. O’Sensei Puleio has given seminars around the country on self defense, rape prevention, goal setting, and special child protection to develop self-esteem. O’Sensei Puleio specializes in corporate awareness teaching self defense for corporate travel and dealing with stress management. O’Sensei has taught at some of the finest schools and corporations in the country. His accomplishments have been recognized and awarded by many professionals in the field:

1993: Co-founder of International Martial Arts Federation promoting Martial Art Events.

1994: Started Top Kick Championship Kick Boxing, which is currently one of the largest kickboxing shows on the east coast.

1995: Inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame, and awarded “Promoter of the year” from the Grand Master International’s.

1996: Opened a state of the art facility, second to none.

1997: Received “Man of the Year” and “Outstanding Contribution to the Martial Arts” awards from Grand Master Don Nagle of American Okinawan Karate Association Inc.

1998: Received Bushido award for the “Growth and Unity of the Martial Arts” at the Nick Adler’s Northeastern Open.

2000: Nominated by the board of directors of Action Martial Art magazine for
the “Lifetime Dedication to Martial Arts” award.

2003: Nominated by the board of directors of Action Martial Art magazine for
the “Lifetime Dedication to Martial Arts” award.

O’Sensei Puleio has trained thousands of students, among them over 250 Black Belts who teach American Jiu Jitsu all around the country today.

Renshi Jim Bask

Renshi Jim is a Yodan (fourth-degree black belt) Rank and Head Black Belt at American Jiu-Jitsu and has been training with O’Sensei Joe Puleio for over 25 years. Jim started his training in the Juniors Program at the age of eight and progressed throughout the ranks and into the Teen and Seniors (adult) programs, completing AJJ’s Instructor Certification at the age of seventeen. He credits his dedicated training for helping to shape his personality, character, self-esteem and success - in his professional and personal life. Over the years Jim has run successful pilot programs at multiple Gold’s Gym locations, New York Institute of Technology and after-school programs for Smithtown, Commack and Half Hollow schools. Training is “One of the most enjoyable things he looks forward to every week.”
Sensei Jim holds a degree in Advertising from New York Institute of Technology which he attended on a partial scholarship rewarded partly for his Jiu-Jitsu training and outstanding academic performance. He is currently the Advertising Director for three successful online technology retailers and founder/owner of a growing e-commerce company.
Sensei Jim is an active member of the Three Village community where he lives with his wife and two sons. His oldest son has just started taking classes in the American Jiu Jitsu 3-year old program and has already shown a natural love for the art.

Sensei Douglas Fisher

Sensei Douglas Fisher is a 3rd Sandan Black Belt in the American Jiu Jitsu system. He has studied under O'sensei for more than ten years .Sensei Doug has also studied yoga, tai chi, and meditation.

Sensei Fred Catalano

Hello my name is Fred Catalano practitioner, Certified Black Belt , and Sandan 3rd degree black belt in American Jiu Jitsu systems of self-defense. Currently training for my Yodan 4th degree and will achieve this goal in June of 2008. My students and friends consider me a Lifestyle Trainer. Training in Jiu Jitsu for over 13 years over many have come to enjoy the peace of mind and empowerment that comes with their training. A practitioner of Power Yoga, Qi Gong, Pilates for grapplers, Zen Ki, Tai Chi, Kickboxing and Wrestling. Look for future courses in these Arts as well. The American Jiu Jitsu Federation awarded me the prestige’s Connors/Bushido Award in 2003, and The Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. My wife Alison and our 3 sons, TC age 19, Jesse age 17, and Scott age 16 also train in Jiu Jitsu. My son Jesse received his black belt in October 2006, and is now a Certified Black Belt, Sensei ,himself. He currently is training to receive his Nidan 2nd degree black- belt in October 2008. In my quest for a school and a instructor to train under I became fascinated with Jiu Jitsu while attending a Rape Prevention Seminar given by my Instructor, O’Sensei Joseph Puleio and Shi Shidan 7th degree, in December of 1993. Awe-struck by the ability and confidence of the men and women who threw 200lb men around like rag dolls. Jiu Jitsu translates into “the gentle art”. Jiu Jitsu is proven to be the most effective and complete martial art in combat and sport. My Passions are Health, Wealth, and Happiness and Empowerment of Mind, Body and Spirit. Zanshin means total awareness. We are coaches of Mind and Body Unification. It is no accident that YOU are reading this NOW. We hope to help all of you in passing what we are learning as Jutsukas ont to YOU. Jiu Jitsu has enriched my life, and will do the same for you.

Sensei Daryl McHugh

Sensei Daryl has been training at American Jiu Jitsu since 1999. Beginning at the age of twelve, he has been able to attain the rank of Shodan Black Belt just before the age of 16, and now holds the rank of Sandan. He is also a certified Black Belt. In addition to his training under O’Sensei Joe and other American Jiu Jitsu instructors, he has also had the opportunity to train with masters such as Professor Wally Jay and Olympic Judo Coach Professor Willy Cahill. In addition, Sensei Daryl has competed in two Grapple Fests, winning his division both times. He has performed in many demos and is currently leader of the American Jiu Jitsu Demo Team. He has been a member of the Top Kick Championship Kickboxing since 2000. In 2000, he was awarded the Connors/Bushido Award, the most prestigious award American Jiu Jitsu Centers offers. He is currently a Pre med Student at Stony Brook College

Sensei John & Sandra Valenti

Sensei John M. Valenti has been training at American Jiu-Jitsu Centers, St. James, with O’Sensei Joseph Puleio since March 1996. Sensei John took Karate lessons as a child, but knew Jiu-Jitsu was for him shortly after he began training under O’Sensei, together with his wife, Sensei Sandra H. Valenti.

Before his children were born, Sensei John and his wife attended classes together in St. James three to four nights per week. After their son, Griffin, was born Sensei John and his wife had to work out an alternating schedule so that each could attend an equal amount of classes per week. They still follow an alternating schedule at the present time. However, now their children are included in their “Jiu-Jitsu Training Schedule.” Griffin and Kailey are following in their parents’ footsteps. Sensei John has always been a dedicated student. He was Student of the Year for 1997 and completed the Instructor’s Certification Class in June 1998. In September 1999, Sensei John received his Shodan/1st Degree Black Belt. He is truly proud of being awarded the most honorable Connors/Bushido Award for the year 1999. Sensei John attained the rank of Nidan/2nd Degree Black Belt in 2004 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from O’Sensei. In April, 2007, Sensei John received his Sandan/3rd Degree Black Belt. He teaches his children Jiu-Jitsu at home and is excited to see them doing so well with something he loves.

Sensei John is a Line and Grade Engineer for Local 15D. He really enjoys skateboarding and is passionate about Jiu-Jitsu. He looks forward to all his future training at American Jiu-Jitsu Centers with his wife and children as well as his AJJC family.
Sensei Sandra H. Valenti has been training under O’Sensei Joseph Puleio at American Jiu-Jitsu Centers in St. James, along with her husband Sensei John M. Valenti, since March 1996. She was Student of the Year for 1997 and completed the Black Belt Certification Class in June 1998.The most prestigious award at American Jiu-Jitsu Centers is the Connors/Bushido Award, which was awarded to Sensei Sandra for the year 1999. In 2004 she earned the rank of Nidan (2nd Degree) Black Belt and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from O’Sensei. Sensei Sandra H. Valenti has been teaching her children, Griffin and Kailey, privately at home for years. Griffin and Kailey each spent nine months at the dojo before they were even born; perhaps that is why they are both “Born Martial Artists. In April, 2007, Sensei Sandra and her husband, Sensei John, earned the rank of Sandan (3rd Degree). Sensei Sandra plans on training at American Jiu-Jitsu Centers forever and looks forward to helping her children and others grow as outstanding martial artists.

Age-Specific Program Ages 4-12