About Burning Tree MMA

David Sztajer began training in 1997 at age thirteen in Kenpo at American Kenpo Karate Studios in Reisterstown, Maryland. His commitment and natural ability helped him move quickly into the adult program, and by 2000 he had earned his First Degree Black Belt and started teaching full-time under Joe Palanzo.

He continued advancing through the ranks and earned his Seventh Degree Black Belt in March 2022, reflecting decades of steady dedication to the art and to teaching.

Along the way, David trained with martial artists including Karl Petro, Jeff Mendelsohn, Leslie Lichter-Mason, Stuart Hankin, Mike Guercio, Francisco Vigoroux, and Joe Palanzo. In 2014 he founded Sztajer's Martial Arts LLC and has continued building a school centered on discipline, respect, confidence, and community.

Xavier has served as a U.S. Government Field Training Officer, as well as a firearms and defensive tactics instructor. He brings decades of experience working with civilians, law enforcement, and active duty military personnel, built on a core belief that self-defense must be simple, direct, and effective under real-world pressure, not just in the dojo, but in the unpredictability of the street.

In addition to his martial arts background, Xavier is a certified Health and Fitness Instructor through the American Council on Exercise (ACE), specializing in sports performance, weight loss, and behavior change. He is also a certified firearms instructor.

He is a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the National Rifle Association.

Hanshi Daryl King 10th Dan is a direct student of Dr. Moses Powell, the founder of Sanuces Ryu Jiu-Jitsu. He is a former United States Marine and ex-corrections officer with over 40 years of teaching experience in the martial arts field.

As Chief Instructor of all KNS Schools of Sanuces Ryu Jiu-Jitsu, Hanshi King brings a lifetime of real-world experience to every class. His background in military service and corrections work has shaped an approach to self-defense that is direct, pressure-tested, and built for the situations that actually happen outside a gym.

At Burning Tree MMA, Hanshi King leads the Women's Defense program, bringing the principles of Sanuces Ryu Jiu-Jitsu to women who want practical skills and the confidence to use them.