Our Instructors
Mr. Ian K. Fauth
Chief Instructor/Co-Owner
Primary Discipline: ITF style Tae Kwon-do
6th Degree Black Belt - "Superfoot" Certified Instructor
Mr. Fauth began his martial arts training in judo under the tutelage of Phil Brain, 5th Dan while attending Brisbane State High School in 1971. In 1974, he was accepted into the Queensland Police Academy where he continued to train in judo and also started his training in karate, under Sensei Graham Keleher, 7th Dan in Seido Kan. Mr. Fauth started training in Tae Kwon-Do and continued to train for the 11 years he served in the Queensland Police Force and SWAT unit. He attained the rank of 1st Dan while studying with Graham Johnson, 5th Dan, at the Australian Tae Kwon-Do Institute and the rank of 2nd and 3rd Dan from North East Australia Tae kwon-Do under Shihan Grant Dobinson, 4th Dan in the Sang Dan style. After coming to the United States in 1996, he ultimately started training under Master Bill “Superfoot” Wallace and has since been tested by Mr. Wallace to his present 6th Degree black belt rank in the Superfoot system.
Tournament competition in judo, kickboxing, karate, mixed martial arts and Tae Kwon-Do were formative events in Mr. Fauth's career with his earliest judo competitions starting in the early 1970's. Since moving to the states he has also competed at tournaments in Salt Lake City, Chicago and tournaments throughout Texas. The high point of his tournament experience came in 1996 when he represented Australia at the World Karate Organization World Titles in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
With a martial arts career spanning over 40 years starting in Queensland Australia and ending in his present day residence in Austin, TX., Mr. Fauth brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in martial arts training to his students. His curriculum incorporates “Superfoot” training techniques, age-appropriate self-defense, martial fitness, aspects of judo and grappling as well as aspects of traditional karate and kobudo weapons training. Currently, plans are in the works to add a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu component to further complement his training program. His programs incorporate POWerful Words Character Development; a personal development component that emphasizes the formation of good values and good citizenship as an integral part of martial arts training.
Since the opening of The 4th Degree Martial Arts, Mr. Fauth has passionately promoted the many benefits of martial arts training for young children, teens, and adults. His dedication and commitment to bringing martial arts training to the community has also extended beyond his own school doors. His past community involvements have included teaching the first martial arts program at the East Communities YMCA, teaching weekly classes in Tae Kwon-Do at both campuses of Cedars International Charter school in Austin and participating as a sponsor of the annual Austin Martial Arts Festival since it's inception.
Mr. Fauth was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN as Outstanding Instructor in July 2004 in recognition of his talent and experience as a martial arts instructor. In 2007, he was one of the featured performers during intermission at a Chuck Norris' World Combat League match in Austin and also performed in his first action movie role in Fighting With Anger, a movie starring Willie Nelson. He is a past member of Fighting Stunts Association and has been involved in various local movie projects.
Chief Instructor/Co-Owner
Primary Discipline: ITF style Tae Kwon-do
6th Degree Black Belt - "Superfoot" Certified Instructor
Mr. Fauth began his martial arts training in judo under the tutelage of Phil Brain, 5th Dan while attending Brisbane State High School in 1971. In 1974, he was accepted into the Queensland Police Academy where he continued to train in judo and also started his training in karate, under Sensei Graham Keleher, 7th Dan in Seido Kan. Mr. Fauth started training in Tae Kwon-Do and continued to train for the 11 years he served in the Queensland Police Force and SWAT unit. He attained the rank of 1st Dan while studying with Graham Johnson, 5th Dan, at the Australian Tae Kwon-Do Institute and the rank of 2nd and 3rd Dan from North East Australia Tae kwon-Do under Shihan Grant Dobinson, 4th Dan in the Sang Dan style. After coming to the United States in 1996, he ultimately started training under Master Bill “Superfoot” Wallace and has since been tested by Mr. Wallace to his present 6th Degree black belt rank in the Superfoot system.
Tournament competition in judo, kickboxing, karate, mixed martial arts and Tae Kwon-Do were formative events in Mr. Fauth's career with his earliest judo competitions starting in the early 1970's. Since moving to the states he has also competed at tournaments in Salt Lake City, Chicago and tournaments throughout Texas. The high point of his tournament experience came in 1996 when he represented Australia at the World Karate Organization World Titles in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
With a martial arts career spanning over 40 years starting in Queensland Australia and ending in his present day residence in Austin, TX., Mr. Fauth brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in martial arts training to his students. His curriculum incorporates “Superfoot” training techniques, age-appropriate self-defense, martial fitness, aspects of judo and grappling as well as aspects of traditional karate and kobudo weapons training. Currently, plans are in the works to add a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu component to further complement his training program. His programs incorporate POWerful Words Character Development; a personal development component that emphasizes the formation of good values and good citizenship as an integral part of martial arts training.
Since the opening of The 4th Degree Martial Arts, Mr. Fauth has passionately promoted the many benefits of martial arts training for young children, teens, and adults. His dedication and commitment to bringing martial arts training to the community has also extended beyond his own school doors. His past community involvements have included teaching the first martial arts program at the East Communities YMCA, teaching weekly classes in Tae Kwon-Do at both campuses of Cedars International Charter school in Austin and participating as a sponsor of the annual Austin Martial Arts Festival since it's inception.
Mr. Fauth was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN as Outstanding Instructor in July 2004 in recognition of his talent and experience as a martial arts instructor. In 2007, he was one of the featured performers during intermission at a Chuck Norris' World Combat League match in Austin and also performed in his first action movie role in Fighting With Anger, a movie starring Willie Nelson. He is a past member of Fighting Stunts Association and has been involved in various local movie projects.
Mrs. Eliabel Fauth
Lead Instructor/Co-Owner
Primary Discipline: ITF style Tae Kwon-Do
3rd Degree Black Belt
Eliabel Fauth serves as the lead instructor, program director and operations manager for The 4th Degree Martial Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organization Management from Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, IN. and has over 20 years of professional and managerial experience that includes public health administration and working with programs for children and families. Mrs. Fauth's professional experience also includes training in child development which she uses to provide developmentally appropriate martial arts classes for children ages 3 and older. As the Lead Instructor for the school, she oversees and teaches the Junior, Adult and the Lil Dragon program and is responsible for introducing and incorporating the Powerful Word character development program into the present curricula.
Eliabel Fauth began her training in Tae Kwon-Do in 1995 at Don Johnson's Martial Arts America in Chesterton, IN. She also studied Shorin-Ryu karate from 1997 through early 1998, in Michigan City, IN. She currently holds the rank of 3rd degree black belt (Sandan) in Tae Kwon-Do and is certified as a Superfoot Systems Instructor.
Lead Instructor/Co-Owner
Primary Discipline: ITF style Tae Kwon-Do
3rd Degree Black Belt
Eliabel Fauth serves as the lead instructor, program director and operations manager for The 4th Degree Martial Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organization Management from Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, IN. and has over 20 years of professional and managerial experience that includes public health administration and working with programs for children and families. Mrs. Fauth's professional experience also includes training in child development which she uses to provide developmentally appropriate martial arts classes for children ages 3 and older. As the Lead Instructor for the school, she oversees and teaches the Junior, Adult and the Lil Dragon program and is responsible for introducing and incorporating the Powerful Word character development program into the present curricula.
Eliabel Fauth began her training in Tae Kwon-Do in 1995 at Don Johnson's Martial Arts America in Chesterton, IN. She also studied Shorin-Ryu karate from 1997 through early 1998, in Michigan City, IN. She currently holds the rank of 3rd degree black belt (Sandan) in Tae Kwon-Do and is certified as a Superfoot Systems Instructor.
Assistant Instructors
Our assistant instructors have all trained and earned their black belts entirely at The 4th Degree. They are dedicated to working with our students and each one of them brings special skills to the individualized training we provide. They are all presently training towards reaching their next belt level and as such are great examples to our students of the kind of perseverance and commitment it takes to reach worthy goals.
Mr. Edwin Riquelme
2nd Degree Black Belt
"Superfoot" Certified Instructor
Assistant Instructor
Mr. Edwin Riquelme started training at The 4th Degree in 2000 and earned his 1st degree black belt in 2003. He has become a valuable member of our instructor cadre. Mr. Riquelme is a member of the Master's Club and regularly assists with junior, adult and mixed level classes. Mr. Riquelme earned his 2nd degree in April 2009 and earned his Superfoot certification on June 6, 2009. Mr. Riquelme also holds a purple belt in Okinawan Kobudo weapons.
2nd Degree Black Belt
"Superfoot" Certified Instructor
Assistant Instructor
Mr. Edwin Riquelme started training at The 4th Degree in 2000 and earned his 1st degree black belt in 2003. He has become a valuable member of our instructor cadre. Mr. Riquelme is a member of the Master's Club and regularly assists with junior, adult and mixed level classes. Mr. Riquelme earned his 2nd degree in April 2009 and earned his Superfoot certification on June 6, 2009. Mr. Riquelme also holds a purple belt in Okinawan Kobudo weapons.
Mr. Chris Burton
1st Degree Black Belt
Assistant Instructor
Mr. Burton started his training at The 4th Degree in 2000 and earned his 1st degree black belt in 2003. He also currently holds a purple belt in Okinwan Kobudo weapons. He is and accomplished martial artist and is currently working on his 2nd degree black belt as a member of the Master's Club. He actively assists with classes in all program areas.
Mr. Jim Nagle
1st Degree Black Belt
Assistant Instructor
Mr. Jim Nagle started his training at The 4th Degree in 2003 and earned his 1st degree black belt in 2007. He is currently working on his 2nd degree black belt and is a member of the Master's Club. He regularly assists with Junior Tae Kwon-Do classes.
1st Degree Black Belt
Assistant Instructor
Mr. Jim Nagle started his training at The 4th Degree in 2003 and earned his 1st degree black belt in 2007. He is currently working on his 2nd degree black belt and is a member of the Master's Club. He regularly assists with Junior Tae Kwon-Do classes.
Guest Instructors
Shihan Ty Yocham
Austin Division of the Texas Okinawa Goju-Kai Karate Federation
Shihan Yocham is a highly respected martial artist and a 5th Degree black belt in Goju-Kai Karate. He has been affiliated with The 4th Degree since 2002 when he first started teaching a Kobudo class at our school. He now offers Kobudo and other related karate classes at our school on a seminar basis. As a visiting instructor and leading expert in his field, Shihan Yocham has provided our student body with many valuable hours of seminar instruction. Shihan Yocham is the director of the Austin Division of the Texas Okinawa Goju- Kai Karate Federation and has been teaching martial arts in the Austin metro area since 1990.
Austin Division of the Texas Okinawa Goju-Kai Karate Federation
Shihan Yocham is a highly respected martial artist and a 5th Degree black belt in Goju-Kai Karate. He has been affiliated with The 4th Degree since 2002 when he first started teaching a Kobudo class at our school. He now offers Kobudo and other related karate classes at our school on a seminar basis. As a visiting instructor and leading expert in his field, Shihan Yocham has provided our student body with many valuable hours of seminar instruction. Shihan Yocham is the director of the Austin Division of the Texas Okinawa Goju- Kai Karate Federation and has been teaching martial arts in the Austin metro area since 1990.
Master Jason Pratt
Owner-Chief Instructor of PKC Karate
Master Pratt holds a 5th Degree black belt in Taekwondo and has recently started giving seminars at our school specializing in plyometric training techniques specifically designed for aerial kicks. His classes have been very well received and we look forward to offering many more of his specialty classes for juniors and adults alike. Master Pratt is the owner and chief instructor of PKC Karate in Kyle, TX.
Owner-Chief Instructor of PKC Karate
Master Pratt holds a 5th Degree black belt in Taekwondo and has recently started giving seminars at our school specializing in plyometric training techniques specifically designed for aerial kicks. His classes have been very well received and we look forward to offering many more of his specialty classes for juniors and adults alike. Master Pratt is the owner and chief instructor of PKC Karate in Kyle, TX.
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