Kyoshi Peter Joseph Smith– Owner
Peter Joseph Smith began studying martial arts in the early 1980s, seeking to strengthen his body and calm his mind after being diagnosed with a crippling disease; with great effort, he has managed the disease for almost 40 years, aided especially by an intense stretching and pain management regimen. Kyoshi Smith is the owner and head instructor of NCK Plainville and the founder of Team Cerio Plainville (TCP). He has judged in many world class tournaments and trained countless competitors for the same.
Kyoshi Smith started his journey in the martial arts by training in several forms of Kenpo, eventually finding his calling in Nick Cerio’s Kenpo, first studying under Shihans Bill Fitzgerald and Maryanne Weeden. In 1997, he was awarded his Shodan and the title of Sensei by Professor Cerio and took ownership of NCK Plainville. Since then, Kyoshi Smith has striven to develop his art, continuing his training in Kenpo and earning the ranks of Nidan and Sandan under Joe Nesta in 1999 and 2001, respectively, and adding several other arts to his arsenal. In the early 2000s, he began studying Judo under O-Sensei Richie Brown and American Jiujitsu under Tom Blanchard through the Royce Gracie Fighting Foundations, earning 2nd degree black belts in both. He also expanded his knowledge of Okinawan, Japanese, and Chinese kobudo through various instructors, greatly increasing the diversity of kata in his repertoire.
Over the years, Kyoshi Smith’s Kenpo has been influenced by the work of notable masters and instructors of the art. In 2005, he was awarded the rank of Yondan and the title of Tachi from John Agostini; in 2008, Don Spinks awarded him the rank of Godan and title of Shihan; as Senior Grandmasters of the International Kenpo Council of Grandmasters, George Pesare presented him with the rank of Rokudan in 2012, and Steven Nugent awarded him his Shichidan and the title of Kyoshi in 2017. Other contributors to Kyoshi Smith’s martial arts style include Clermont Poulin, Mark Sheeley, and Craig Seavey. Kenpo will always remain at the core of Kyoshi Smith’s art, yet it is enhanced and augmented by the various other disciplines in which he has trained.
Beyond his own progression, Kyoshi Smith takes great pride in teaching students of all ages and abilities and finds particular satisfaction in helping young instructors develop both their art and their pedagogical craft. He encourages his students to follow their own path through life and guides them to find the ways in which the martial arts can help them reach their goals and improve their life. Kyoshi Smith continues to train and teach at NCK Plainville, allowing his art to evolve with every new experience.
Shihan Leon Larkin
Renshi Brendan Saville
Sensei Sean Saville
Sensei Nathan Allen
Sensei Scott Langlands
Shodan Josie Allen
Sensei Catarina Smith