About Us

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Wachusett Martial Arts is a family-run, community-focused martial arts school where quality instruction and a welcoming environment go hand in hand.

We believe martial arts training should be effective, practical and affordable. Just as importantly, we believe people learn best in an environment where they feel comfortable, supported and challenged to improve.

As a smaller school, our instructors actually get to know their students. Whether you're walking into a martial arts school for the first time or have years of experience, you won't simply be another person in the room. Our instructors provide personal attention, understand what you're working toward and help you progress at your own pace.

Our experienced instructors bring different martial arts backgrounds and areas of expertise to WMA, allowing us to offer training for children, teens and adults across Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA and practical self-defense.

We take the training seriously without taking ourselves too seriously. The result is a place where people can train hard, learn useful skills, build confidence and enjoy being part of a community that wants to see them succeed.

Beginners are always welcome.
 

​PAUL P. LOMBARDI - FOUNDER AND HEAD INSTRUCTOR
7th Degree (Shichidan) Black Belt In:
Wo’ Zhu’ Ken-Ryu Karate
Creator of Wo’ Zhu’ Ken-Ryu Kenpo Karate
Creator of SGS self defense system
5th Degree Black belt in Ken-Ryu Kenpo Karate
CrossFit Level Two Certified Instructor
25+ Years as a Police Officer
MastersDegree in Criminal Justice

Certified Defensive Tactics Instructor MPTC

Paul began his martial arts training in 1985 at age 17, the same year he entered college. His early training focused on traditional American Kenpo Karate, studying under a number of instructors before meeting Grandmaster Alan D’Allessandro in 1996.

That relationship became a defining part of Paul's martial arts journey. Paul spent years training under Grandmaster D’Allessandro, earning his black belt ranks and continuing to develop within Ken Ryu Kenpo, the system founded by D’Allessandro. Grandmaster D’Allessandro has continued his own training under world-renowned karate Grandmaster Don Rodrigues, extending the lineage and influence behind Paul's traditional karate foundation.

But Paul's martial arts education didn't stop with traditional karate.

About 20 years ago, as mixed martial arts began demonstrating how different fighting styles could work together, Paul became increasingly interested in expanding his training beyond traditional striking. He began studying MMA with Keith Rockel, a professional mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC and held multiple championships, including the Hook and Shoot Light Heavyweight Championship.

That experience changed the direction of Paul's martial arts development.

With encouragement from both Grandmaster D’Allessandro and Grandmaster Rodrigues, Paul began incorporating what he was learning through MMA into his traditional karate foundation rather than simply abandoning one system for another.

The result was the development of Paul's own style of karate—a system that maintains the structure, discipline and traditions of Kenpo Karate while incorporating a more practical, combative approach influenced by his experience in MMA.

That philosophy continues to shape the way martial arts are taught at Wachusett Martial Arts today: respect the traditions that built the foundation, continue learning, and never be afraid to evolve the training when doing so makes it more effective.

Coach Scott McMillan, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor

Coach Scott McMillan has trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling for more than 25 years and is a 3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt.

Scott earned his BJJ black belt under Professor Dan Simmler of Worcester MMA, connecting his training to the respected lineage of Renzo Gracie and Matt Serra. Scott continues to work with Dan, study the art and develop his knowledge as both a practitioner and coach.  

That depth of experience is important, but Scott's approach to teaching is one of the things that makes WMA's BJJ program special.

He believes good coaching starts by meeting people where they are. You don't need to walk into WMA already confident, athletic or experienced. Scott's job is to help you take that first step, understand the fundamentals and steadily build from there. 

His classes emphasize strong fundamentals, safety, respect and problem-solving in a positive but challenging environment. Students are encouraged to train hard, ask questions, help their teammates and become a little better every time they step onto the mats.

That approach fits naturally with WMA's smaller-school environment. Scott knows the people he coaches. New students aren't simply dropped into a large room and expected to figure things out on their own. They become part of a team where experienced students help newer students develop and everyone has a role in making the room better.

Through WMA's partnership with Worcester MMA and Professor Dan Simmler, students also benefit from a connection to a much larger Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu network while still getting the personal attention and community of training locally at Wachusett Martial Arts.

3rd Degree BJJ Black Belt • 25+ Years BJJ & Submission Grappling • Black Belt under Professor Dan Simmler • WMA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Coach

Anthony Lombardi, 3rd Degree Black Belt Who Zhu Ken Ryu Kempo. 

For Anthony, Wachusett Martial Arts has quite literally been part of his life from the beginning.

As Paul's son, Anthony grew up around martial arts and was one of the earliest students to train through the system his father was building at WMA. He would eventually become the first student from Wachusett Martial Arts to earn a black belt, giving him a unique place in the school's history.

Anthony's experience also gives him a perspective that is especially valuable when working with WMA's younger students. He understands the process from both sides—what it's like to start as a student, work through the ranks, face the challenges that come with training, and eventually take on the responsibility of helping teach the next generation.

Today, Anthony continues that tradition as a member of WMA's karate coaching team, helping students develop their martial arts skills while reinforcing the confidence, discipline, respect and resilience that have always been an important part of the program.

As the son of WMA's founder and its first homegrown black belt, Anthony represents something important about what Wachusett Martial Arts has become: students can grow up here, develop their skills, and eventually become the people helping the next group of students do the same.

WMA's First Karate Black Belt • Lifelong WMA Student • Karate Instructor • Son of Founder Paul Lombardi 

John Gow, 2nd Degree Black Belt

Lindsey Rainville, 2nd Degree Black Belt

Lily Shiltz, 1st Degree Black Belt

Biographies under construction.