Owner, Aikido

Maureen Browne began estudying DanZan Ryu Jujitsu at 16, and trained in Aikido and Kodokan Judo as a student at NIU. She continued Aikido training at the Midwest Aikido Center and Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, where she received her Shodan from Kisshomaru Ueshiba. Maureen and her husband, John Gussman, founded the Fox Valley Judo and Jujitsu Club in 1986, and later established the Martial Arts Training Service, where she teaches Aikido and founded the Fox Valley Aikikai, affiliated with T. K. Chiba Shihan. Maureen holds the rank of 8th Dan Professor in DanZan Ryu Jujitsu and 6th Dan Shihan in Aikido, and has a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology.

Judo

Bonnie Pruzaniec holds the rank of Sandan in Kodokan Judo and is a USA Judo certified National Coach. Bonnie also trains in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at Gracie Barra in Des Plaines. Bonnie is a seasoned Judo competitor having fought at 48 kilos on both National and International levels. Bonnie began her Judo training at the age of ten at Montclair YMCA with Bob Larsen and also trained at the Oak Park YMCA with Ernie Hauser. It was at the Oak Park YMCA that Bonnie met John Gussman, and that began their life long Judo friendship. It was John's wish that Bonnie take over the coaching for Fox Valley Judo after his passing.

Judo

Michael has been training in judo along side his three boys, Payton, Parker, and Preston, for over a decade and cross-trains in no-gi BJJ. He was awarded the rank of Shodan in Kodokan judo under Sensei John Gussman in 2020 and is a USA Judo certified National Coach. Outside of the dojo, Michael works as a professor at Wheaton College and volunteers as a travel baseball coach.

Aikido - Fukushidoin Children’s Instructor

Nathalie began practicing Aikido in 2003 under Maureen Browne Shihan at the age of eight. Fox Valley Aikikai has served as her home dojo ever since, allowing her to discover her passion for nurturing the next generation of Aikido by teaching children. Giving back to the program that helped shape her has been a dream. She has also briefly taught Aikido at Fermilab in her hometown of Batavia, Illinois.

When she’s not on the mat or scribbling away at a novel, Nathalie is an avid weightlifter, runner, and loves to work on her project car, a 1987 RX-7 FC.

Judo

Judo

Philip Kosovrasti has been practicing Judo for fourteen years. He is a cancer survivor who has been cancer-free for twenty-four years. He received his first-degree black belt in 2019 from Sensei John Gussman. Philip coaches children on falling, pinning, and standing techniques. What he loves about Judo is that anyone can practice it no matter their size. Outside of the dojo, he is studying to become an educator and helps his parents with his brothers who have ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

Judo

1988 HS wrestling champion 3A, defeated three-time Olympian TC Danzler. IHSA Wrestling Champion. Bronze, President’s Cup, Senior Masters, 2016, Judo Masters.

Judo

Aikido - Shidoin

Sergey began his Aikido training in 1998 at the Martial Arts Training Service. Sergey joined the MATS Uchi Deshi Program in 2002. As a member of the Uchi Deshi program, Sergey trained intensively 30+ hours per month and assisted with teaching the Children’s Aikido Program. Sergey currently holds the rank of 5th Dan and Shidoin (Licensed Instructor) in Aikido and assists with teaching the Aikido program.

Aikido - Fukushidoin

Jon has trained in Aikido since 2001 and is a proud member of Fox Valley Aikikai and Martial Arts Training Service. Jon tested and received the rank of Shodan at the Birankai North America Summer Camp in 2007. He has continued his martial arts journey as both student and instructor, emphasizing not only the intensive physical training of the art, but the mental focus and humility that must be attained as well - and Aikido is fun! Jon also holds the rank of Nidan in Isshinryu Karate. Off the mat, Jon is a high school English teacher and tennis coach at Lemont High School. He enjoys running, writing, watching movies/shows, and spending time with his wife and three kids!

Aikido - Fukushidoin

Magnus was born in Germany, lived in Japan for several years and moved to the US in 2003. He trained in Judo as a child, Iaido for a couple of years in Germany and Aikido at MATS since 2007. Magnus is both a teacher and mentor at MATS. He works with beginners to understand and internalize concepts and helps advanced practitioners to make the techniques work for them. He coaches more advanced students to advance beyond the formalized character taught to beginners. Outside of the dojo, Magnus is Global Head for Wholesale Distribution at SAP and also Senior Lecturer at Texas A&M in the Industrial Distribution Masters Program.

Aikido - Fukushidoin

Yumiko Takano, a dedicated practitioner of Aikido since 2009, was drawn to the art after witnessing her son's journey in judo at MATS in 2007. With a passion for cross-cultural experiences, she has honed her skills in Aikido across various nations, including Japan, Germany, Spain, and Canada. Presently holding a third dan rank and serving as a Birankai fukushidohin, Yumiko finds profound inspiration in Chiba Sensei's words: "Aikido is the keiko of meeting different people." Beyond the dojo, she indulges in artistic pursuits, particularly in arts and crafts, and has a penchant for collecting gems and rocks.