• 4th Degree Black Belt – Combat Jujitsu
• Black Belt Instructor – Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
• 1st Degree Black Belt – Karate
• 1st Degree Black Belt – Tae Kwon Do
• Brown Belt – Judo
• Brown Belt – Aikido

Shawn Chitwood is the man whose vision changed the face of martial arts in North Central Ohio. His martial arts learning began in 1980 in Judo/Jujitsu. Since then, Shawn has trained in 8 different martial arts, achieving 4 different Black Belt rankings of varying degree. As an instructor, Mr. Chitwood believes that once you stop learning, you cease your ability to help your students grow. Because of this, Shawn is currently pursuing Black Belts rankings in three more arts while keeping up with his current knowledge. “To be a Master Instructor, one must always be a Master Student.”, states Shawn Chitwood when asked about his credentials.

As a competitor, Shawn Chitwood was a state and two time National Tae Kwon Do Champion, a state, regional, and national Sport Jujitsu Champion. He was also a member of the 1997-1998 United States Team competing in Sport Jujitsu. In 1998, in international competition, Shawn won a World Championship title with Team USA. Shawn competed nationally and internationally in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu including frequenting Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Shawn is one of the original American students of the Gracie family and represents them as one of their first American Black Belts.

Saulo Ribeiro, one of Royler Gracie's top Black Belts and the most decorated Brazilian Jiu-jitsu competitor of all time has this to say about the oldest Chitwood Brother:

Mr. Chitwood has innovated and developed several award-winning programs taught at his academy. He lectures and instructs on these programs inside and outside his school. His Tuff Target© anti-kidnapping program has positively affected the safety of children all over North-Central, Ohio. His BullyGuard© program has changed how children interact with bullies and how school administration addresses bully situations. As a personal safety expert, Shawn’s S3D or Street Smart Self Defense has empowered men and women who face or may face violence in their lives by empowering them through awareness and sound defensive strategies and tactics. 

Shawn Chitwood is known by law enforcement officers and agencies across the state of Ohio for developing the ground fighting defensive tactics for the State of Ohio and is a lead law enforcement instructor at the world-renowned Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy in London, Ohio. He is also the Director of Training for www.responsetoresistance.com

Shawn’s current mission is to develop his outstanding teaching staff and help them to continue his vision while overseeing the day to day instruction and training at Team Chitwood Martial Arts & Fitness.

Contact Shawn at shawn@teamchitwood.com 

• 3rd Degree Black Belt – Jujitsu
• 1st Degree Black Belt – Judo
• 1st Degree Purple Belt - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• 1996 & 1998 Sport Jujitsu World Champion
• 2004 SRJJA Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Champion
• 2005 Army Europe Combatives Grappling Champion 
  (209pound class at 155 pounds!)
• 2008 Army Combatives Tournament - Silver Medalist

Neil Chitwood’s martial arts training began in 1994, under his older brother Shawn in Jujitsu. Neil’s raw competitiveness and brutal seriousness has made the man he is today. As a competitor, Neil was the 1996 and 1998 ISJA World Sport Jujitsu Champion and a member of the 1997-1998 United States Team competing in Sport Jujitsu. He has won numerous Brazilian Jiu-jitsu tournaments and currently competes in grappling tournaments nationally and internationally. He is known as the Gator for his uncanny ability to take opponents down and finish them on the mat.

Neil brings a unique style of leadership to the mat as a 2003 United States Military Academy at West Point graduate. Because of this, Neil is very popular instructor. 

While at West Point, Neil was a dynamic presence on the football field playing Strong Safety and Outside Linebacker for Army. The mental toughness he developed through our training helped him persevere as a cadet and athlete. He was an active member of West Point Judo Club and Intramural Boxing Club.

Neil is an Iraqi War Veteran and former platoon leader for Ghost Recon. Neil was awarded the Bronze Star for leadership under fire during combat action. Captain Chitwood is now an ROTC Instructor for Capital Univerity and full time instructor at Team Chitwood.

Contact Neil at neil@teamchitwood.com 

• 2nd Degree Black Belt – Jujitsu
• Brown Belt – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• 2002 & 2003 Gracie World Submission Wrestling Champion

As the youngest of the Chitwood Brothers, Craig Chitwood has already made a name for himself. He began his martial arts in 1992 under his older brother Shawn in Jujitsu. As a competitor, Craig has won many state, regional, and national Sport Jujitsu titles. Currently competing in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Craig has won 2 World Championship titles at the famous Gracie World Submission Championships. He is known as the mongoose for attack-style of fighting.

As an instructor for the Kid-Jitsu program at Team Chitwood Martial Arts & Fitness, he has developed a rapport with parents and students alike. His fun personality drives his very unique teaching style that captivates students’ attention and keeps parents involved. His ability on the mat translates directly to the students as our most popular instructor with children.

Though he has learned for over 13 years from his older brother Shawn, he brings a uniquely different teaching approach and fighting style to the adult program. Craig is known for his dedication to fitness and his pursuit of having fun with the students.

Contact Craig at craig@teamchitwood.com 

• 1st Degree Black Belt – Jujitsu
• 1st Degree Blue Belt – Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• IKFF Certified Kettlebell Trainer - Level 1 & Level 2
• RKC (Russian Kettlebell Challenge) Certified
• National & State Certified Physical Fitness Specialist
• Personal Safety and Empowerment Expert for Women
• 1998 Sport Jujitsu World Championships - Silver Medalist
• 2008 OGC Women's Advanced Grappling Champion
• Team Chitwood Program Manager

Rae Chitwood, the wife of Shawn Chitwood, began her martial arts career in 1997. She has taught many Women’s Self Defense and Empowerment programs as well Safety and Awareness programs for children. Rae was the innovator and founding instructor of Team Chitwood’s Little Dragons program, which caters to future black belts ages 3-5 years old.

As a competitor, Rae has won various Sport Jujitsu tournaments, most notably placing 2nd in international competition at the 1998 World Sport Jujitsu Tournament. She also competes in grappling tournaments and loves kick boxing workouts. She received her nickname “Sugar Rae” for her ability to be heavy handed and fast with her strikes.

Rae underwent the training and certification necessary to earn her National FitForce and State OPOTA Physical Fitness Specialist certification and is currently involved in setting up fitness programs for students in our newly added $20,000 fitness room.

Contact Rae at rae@teamchitwood.com 

• Light Heavyweight Professional Career
  39 Wins - 32 by way of Knockout
  7 Losses, 3 Draws
• 1987 USBA Boxing Champ
• 1988 - 1993 IBF Champion of the World
• 1991 - WBC Continental Champion

"Prince" Charles Williams, known for his relentless jab having once thrown over 800 jabs in the last 9 rounds of a title fight, now brings his tenacity to consulting fighters in Team Chitwood's stable. Prince is currently working with the Chitwood Brothers improving their already established striking skills so that the knowledge can be passed on to the student base as competition team members.