Instructors — Academy of American Goju

MEET THE TEAM

JOHN RANGLIN

Senior Instructor, Yondan

Sensei John Ranglin currently holds the rank of Yondan (4°) in USAGO. His training started in 1970 at the age of 6 years in Shotokan under George Cofield, Brooklyn, NY and later transitioned to Japanese Goju-Ryu under George Wells (Student of Aaron Banks). In 1986 Sensei Ranglin relocated to Sunrise, FL. When arrived, he quickly learned that his previous Form or Martial Art (Japanese Goju-Ryu) was not available in the immediate area, and transition into Okinawan Goju-Ryu under Joe Lofoco (Previous Student of Master Liquori). During his training here in Florida under Lofoco Sensei, he also had the honor to train with Kyoshi Larry Mabson during that time from 1986 – 1990. As a Note to the relationship with Kyoshi and Lofoco Sensei, Sensei Lofoco was Kyoshi Mabson’s Senior under Hanshi Liquori before he left the USAGO a few years earlier. In the fall of 1990, Sensei Joe Lofoco officially closed the doors of the Dojo, causing a lag in time and training for Sensei Ranglin and his relationship with Kyoshi Mabson. It was not until late 2005, that Sensei Ranglin and Kyoshi Mabson reconnected at the Orange City YMCA, during an Organization Training, that Sensei Ranglin attended as a new member of the USAGO. Sensei Ranglin has since remained a faithful Student of Kyoshi Mabson and is currently a member of the Martial Arts Foundation (MAF) and Peaceful Warrior Black Belt Club.

RYAN COOPER

Lead Instructor, Ni Dan

Sensei Ryan Cooper currently holds the rank of Ni Dan (2°) in USAGO. His training started in 1996 and has been involved in the martial arts since he was 10 years old. A Florida native, he officially joined the USAGO family under Sensei John Ranglin in 2021 but has trained with him since 2010. Cooper was introduced to Ranglin by his previous sensei, Patt Lot (Goju Ryu), before he moved out of state. He has been teaching at the DeLand YMCA for years and has an excellent relationship with the staff and the DeLand community.

JONATHAN RANGLIN

Junior Instructor, Shodan

Sensei Jonathan Ranglin currently holds the rank of Sho Dan (1°) in USAGO. His initial training started at the age of 6 when his father, Sensei John Ranglin was a member of the IOGKF. Sensei Ranglin, Jr trained for countless hours in their home dojo during the week and had only weekend breaks. Upon his father’s transition to USAGO, he immediately followed and started training with Sensei Ranglin, Sr at the Orange City YMCA, with then Howard Gelber of the USAGO. In 2005, there was a shift and Sensei Howard left the organization, leaving Sensei Rangling, Jr to continue his training in the USAGO under his father Sensei John Ranglin. Under Sensei Ranglin, Sr, Sensei Jonathan Ranglin received all ranks within the USAGO and is currently the Junior instructor at the Deland YMCA.