The WKA Team

Joseph V. Bridenbaugh

Founder & President, World Katsudo Association
MMA Specialist | Promoter | Martial Arts Innovator

Joseph Bridenbaugh is a pioneering force in Ohio martial arts, known as the first licensed MMA promoter in the state and a respected trainer across multiple combat disciplines. Over his career, he has organized more than 40 sanctioned MMA events and trained athletes in boxing, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts.

He is an 8th Degree Black Belt in Katsudo, the eclectic martial system he helped develop, and also holds black belts in Ishin Ryu, Ji Do Kwan, and Tae Kwon Do. In 2015, he was inducted into the International Karate & Kickboxing Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport.

As the founder of the World Katsudo Association, Joe leads the continued development of a martial arts system rooted in safety, skill, and personal growth—offering a structured path for both striking and grappling practitioners under a unified philosophy.

Tyson S. Wheeler

Senior Instructor & WKA Official

Tyson Wheeler brings over 34 years of experience in martial arts to the World Katsudo Association. His diverse training includes Kenpo Karate, Kickboxing, Folk Wrestling, JiuJitsu, QiGong, Aiki, and Katsudo under Joe Bridenbaugh. He is a certified referee with the Association of Boxing Commissions and has served as both a referee and inspector with the Ohio Athletic Commission.

Tyson is also a seasoned instructor in Mixed Martial Arts, QiGong, and Daoist philosophy, and has taught at the Crucible MA and Guild of Naturopathy & Spiritual Development. Beyond martial arts, Tyson has over 20 years of experience in healthcare emergency planning, safety, and facilities engineering.