President

Steve Coats

President

Steve Coats began his martial arts journey in 2011 under Grand Master Len Kirschbaum. Despite spastic cerebral palsy, which limits his lower body mobility and requires a wheelchair, Steve trains daily and focuses on empowering others with disabilities through self-defense training.

Steve has won numerous first-place trophies and gold medals at martial arts tournaments, including the Bluegrass State Games and Kentucky State Championships. He won the grand championship award in the weapons division at the International Fighting Arts Association (IFFA) in 2016.

Steve is co-developing Yuko ni suru, or "The Enabling Way" (a Japanese martial arts system for individuals with disabilities) with Grand Master Len Kirschbaum. This system accommodates various mobility aids, including motorized and manual wheelchairs.

As the founder and President of Disabled Martial Artists of America, Inc. (DMAA), Steve promotes martial arts inclusivity. He has earned multiple black belt degrees from the International Association of Martial Artists, Inc.: 1st degree in 2013, 2nd degree in 2016, 3rd degree in 2019, and 4th degree in 2023.

Recently, Grand Master Len Kirschbaum introduced a new ranking system for people with disabilities, featuring the Royal Belt, a blue belt with white trim and a handicapped wheelchair emblem. This belt has five degrees of proficiency, represented by gold diamonds on a blue patch, worn on the uniform jacket.

Originally from Rockwood, Tennessee.