Master Eric Tenuto

What is your role at the school?

5th Degree Master Black Belt – Chief Instructor

Master Eric Tenuto has over 30 years experience in martial arts and is the Master Chief Instructor at Karate Unlimited. Master Eric has been teaching at Karate Unlimited since the school began in 1996. He currently holds the rank of 5th Dan Black Belt in TaeKwonDo and is also proficient in several other martial arts. Master Eric has always been passionate about teaching and mentoring others. Understanding all the benefits martial arts provides to students, Master Eric is on a mission to bring training into the community for students of all ages.

Recite your favorite quote. 

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. – Winston Churchill

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?

The best meal I have ever eaten would have to be Veal Saltimbocca and Creamy Tomato Soup from the restaurant Taormina in Wuppertal, Germany.

Secret Talent

I love making soups.

What do you love about the martial arts? 

I believe training in the martial arts can offer benefits to everyone. Whether it’s increasing a student’s self-confidence or improving someone’s health and lifestyle, the benefits received are invaluable in today’s society more than ever. I love the confidence training in the martial arts gives to our students. It sets them up for success in not only their training, but in all aspects of life.

Share your favorite moment working in martial arts or with a student?

With over thirty years experience in teaching martial arts in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area, I’ve taught hundreds of students through the years. I have many favorite moments working with students. One of my proudest moments as a teacher and a father was seeing my son, Dominic, achieve his 1st Degree Black Belt. His dedication, hard work and focus drove him to his 1st degree testing and continue to drive him to greater heights today both inside and outside martial arts.

One of the most satisfying moments I’ve experienced in martial arts occurred during a night in our Sicklerville, NJ school. A mother and her son came into our school, looking scared, upset and nervous. As I talked to them both I discovered the young boy was being bullied severely in school and in their neighborhood. There was no escape for this young man. At school, he was afraid to go to the bathroom by himself because he knew the bullies would confront him. At home, he couldn’t play outside because the bullies lived in the same area. I asked him what he wanted out of his training with us. He told me he didn’t want to be scared anymore.

He began his training with us and after a few weeks you could start seeing his confidence grow. He was walking taller and was more sure of himself. While we were certainly teaching him how to strike when needed, we were also teaching him how to set boundaries and present strong signals to his bullies. I remember the day he came into the school and told me they don’t bother him anymore. It was one of the most satisfying moments I’ve had in teaching martial arts.