Build confidence. Train with purpose.

Founder Mike Tucker

Founder • Master Instructor

Founder of USA Karate. His legacy continues at USA Karate through the instructors and staff who uphold his standards of excellence and dedication to teaching.

Gabriel Vargas, MS

Director & Head Instructor

Mr. Gabriel Vargas has 23 years of experience teaching martial arts. He holds the rank of 5 th degree blackbelt in karate under Mr. Tucker and he also earned a black belt in Brazilian jiujitsu under Professor Marcelo Uirapuru in March 2025. As a young adult, Mr. Vargas competed in the local Texas circuit alongside his twin brother, where he won state titles in forms and point sparring. He has also competed and placed in various jiujitsu tournaments, including some organized by the IBJJF. He continues to train and share his vast martial arts experience with his students. Mr. Vargas is an adjunct math professor at San Jacinto Community College.

Emilio Vargas, MA

Assistant Director & Assistant Head Instructor

Mr. Emilio Vargas has 23 years of experience teaching martial arts. He holds the rank of 5 th degree blackbelt in karate under Mr. Mike Tucker. He competed locally alongside his brother and won two state titles in team kata. He was also the 2006 Southeast Texas Regional Golden Gloves Champion. Mr. E. Vargas is currently pursuing a law enforcement occupation and credits his martial arts training to his success in the field.

Cristian Cisneros

Instructor

Mr. Cristian earned his 2 nd degree black belt in March 2024 and has 4 years’ teaching experience in martial arts. He enjoys lifting weights and he has competed locally. A graduate from Pearland Highschool, Cristian now studies physics at the University of Houston and plans to pursue an advanced degree in the subject. He has completed internships and conducts research in the field of physics.

Isaac Dorantes

Instructor & Caregiver

Mr. Dorantes has 4 years’ teaching experience in martial arts. A graduate from Dobie Highschool, Isaac holds a second degree blackbelt in karate (earned in March 2024). Isaac has experience competing in point sparring, continuous sparring, and jiu jitsu. He was an avid athlete in soccer during his junior high and high school years and enjoys leading our childcare students in karate class and active games. Isaac is a college student at San Jacinto College and enjoys running in marathons. He plans to study cyber security in college.

Diavio Dominguez

Instructor & Caregiver

Mr. Dominguez has 3.5 years’ experience teaching martial arts. Diavio attended Dobie high school and was a proud member of the band. Diavio earned his first degree blackbelt in March 2023. He is known for his calm, personable approach when instructing students. He is currently learning the Japanese language and hopes to visit the country someday (maybe even live there for a while). He is a college student and plans to teach high school mathematics.