Grand Master Steven Roensch was introduced to karate in 1967 by his brother, then a practitioner of Okinawan Goju-ryu. This initiated a pursuit of the martial arts that has spanned 38 years.
In 1969 he studied Tae Kwan Do and Judo while serving as a squad leader with the United States Army in the Republic of Vietnam. After his tour, he resumed training in the Shito-ryu style of Japanese karate in North Carolina and while there was introduced to Jiu Jitsu. In 1976, he moved to Sarasota, Florida and began training in Okinawan Shuri-ryu karate and Shintoyoshinryu Jiu Jitsu. He has earned distinguished rank in both: He currently holds a Hachidan, or 8th degree black belt in Shinto Yoshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu, awarded by Grandmaster Douglas Gross, and a Shichidan, 7th degree black belt in Shuri Ryu Karatedo, presented by Hanshi John Pachivas. He also holds a Renshi title in Bojitsu (staff combat) and a Gakusha grade in Okinawan Kobudo (ancient martial arts weapons). He is the National Director of the American Budokai Society, an organization dedicated to recognizing outstanding individuals in the Martial Arts community.
Hanshi Steven Roensch founded the Professional Association of Martial Arts Instructors (PAMAI) in 1983, to enhance the knowledge of Professional Instructors around the United States. He founded Life Support Personal Defense Seminars to meet the needs of major corporations, airlines and cruise lines as well as busy professionals throughout the United States. In 1994, he was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Master Instructor of the year. In 1995, the founder Grand Master Douglas Grose, Kudan, appointed him Chief Instructor for the American Jiu Jitsu Karate Association International. In 1999, he introduced Shinto Yoshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu to Germany. Hanshi Steven Roensch is a renowned teacher of the Martial Arts throughout the United States and Europe.
Steven Roensch A.P., DOM graduated Summa Cum Laude from the East West College of Natural Medicine in 2003. He is the owner of Sarasota Sports Acupuncture & Alternative Medicine and West Coast Martial Arts Academy, which he opened in 1979. He is married and resides with his family in Sarasota.
Grand Master Steven Roensch is the President and Founder of American Budokai International, Inc. and an affiliate of the American Martial Arts Renmei, Inc.
- Judan (10th degree) in Shintoyoshinkai Jiu Jitsu
- Shichidan (7th degree) in Shuri-ryu Karate
- Doctor of Oriental Medicine
- Board Certified Acupuncture Physician
- Former Owner, West Coast Martial Arts, Sarasota FL
- Former Owner, Blue Ridge Martial Arts Academy, Bakersville, NC
 in Shintoyoshinkai Jiu Jitsu and a Shichidan, 7th degree, in Shuri-ryu Karate nad founder of American Budokai International.){kind=link}