MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Charles Cherry
Head Instructor
Professor Charles Cherry (we affectionately refer to him as "Coach") is a lifelong martial artist who has studied multiple martial art disciplines over 40 years. His passion is teaching effective self defense while also building confidence in his students. His early martial arts backgrounds include Wing Chun kung fu, Tang Soo Do, Shito Ryu Karate, Western Boxing, Wrestling, and Muay Thai. Coach Cherry is an International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) 3rd Degree Black Belt. He holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kodokan Judo. Coach Cherry wrestled for a Division II college in Virginia and wrestled Freestyle while enlisted in the U.S. Army. Coach Cherry holds ranks in Japanese Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing from Duke Roufus, and he is a certified Krav Maga instructor. In addition to his impressive competition record, he was the head coach for the Bowie Boys and Girls Wrestling team for 10 years. He was also an assistant wrestling coach at St. John's Catholic High School in Washington D.C.. Coach Cherry has trained numerous wrestling , BJJ, and MMA champions.
Coach Cherry is a retired Federal Law Enforcement Officer with over 28 years of law enforcement experience. He has trained federal agents for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Treasury, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Marshal Service on Firearms , Defensive Tactics, Active Shooter Threats, and Use of Force. Coach Cherry is currently certified by the Maryland State Police to teach Handgun Qualification and Concealed Carry to Maryland residents.
​
Coach Cherry has an Undergraduate and Masters Degree in Business and a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis with a concentration in Organizational Behavior Management. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Social Work.
Quenton King
Head Instructor
Quenton "Q" King is a Certified Krav Maga instructor, personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and kickboxing instructor. Coach Q received his B.S. in Communications with a minor in Sociology from Appalachian University. Utilizing his experience as a professional athlete, Coach Q served as coach for Bowie Boys and Girls Club's wrestling and football program for 14 years. Coach Q has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to athletic performance.
Check out some of his great reviews:
"I have awesome workouts at Bowie MMA! The instructors (Quenton) are excellent. They provide accommodations for some exercises which motivates those on different levels to keep moving. The workout is intense and worth it. After 5 sessions, I lost 8 pounds - I am definitely becoming a member!"
"Krav Maga class is awesome and I can't wait to go back. Best workout I have had in a while and it was very informative. Great sparring and instructors were very knowledgeable. Going back this Saturday and I will keep going."
"What a wonderful experience! Cardio kickboxing works out your entire body, nothing like anything I have ever tried before. Along with great music and a great step by step instructor, you are in for a great workout! Try it out for yourself. Shout out to Q for leading such a great class!!"
Coach DJ
Kids BJJ Instructor
David "DJ" Jennings was introduced to martial arts at the age of 7. Growing up with ADHD/ADD and getting into fights and dealing with bullies, his parents decided to put him into Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art based on karate. After 6 years at 12 years old, he earned his black belt and started his path into teaching as well as learning what he wanted to focus on which mainly at that age was fighting, sparring. They did throws from Judo and Japanese Jiu Jitsu with finishes incorporating the grappling arts into the curriculum for self-defense with continuous sparring and point sparring as focuses for the stand up.
Later he would meet two very important people on the Sunday ground fighting class, Carlos Catania and Charles Cherry. Along with other Judo, wrestlers, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners, he was able to start unknowingly into his journey into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from those Sundays after finishing private lessons.
When Charles and Carlos opened their gym for the first time as Bowie MMA (Bellicose Martial Arts), DJ was one of the first students on opening day. DJ has worked majority with kids of all ages through various jobs most his life - from daycare, to self-defense programs, to working one-on-one with clients with the Maryland autism waiver - DJ brings his experiences with teaching on and off the mats from various environments and classrooms onto the mats for the kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Coach Z
Tae Kwon Do Instructor
Zalika Pringle is certified black belt with the World Tae Kwon Do Federation, youth and adult martial arts instructor, artist and community event planner. As an educator, Zalika found her passion for sharing knowledge and uplifting others, seeking a solution to increasing tension and fears about safety within the community. She approaches self-defense from a self/inner healing perspective, bringing the importance of inner strength and balance to the teaching of self-defense techniques.
Professor Carlos David
Guest Instructor - BJJ
Carlos David Oliviera is a fifth degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the legendary 2 time world champion Roberto "The Spider" Traven. He is also a professional MMA fighter and founder of Evolution Fight Team. Carlos David teaches the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Richmond, Virginia.