About Us

Meet the founder and instructors

Founder - Floyd Lansing “Lanny” Reed III

March 20, 1946 – July 26, 2024

The Golden Dragon Academy, founded in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1970 by Floyd Lansing “Lanny” Reed III, has stood as a cornerstone of martial arts in the region for more than five decades. Lanny began his martial arts journey in 1967 while serving in the U.S. Air Force, studying Judo and Shorinji Ryu Karate. During his service, he competed in the USAF World Wide Judo Championships, earning 4th and 5th place finishes against top military competitors from around the world.

After returning home, Lanny continued his training and achieved black belt rank in several martial arts disciplines. In 1973, he established the Pennsylvania State Judo Championships in Williamsport, bringing together martial artists from across the state and creating opportunities for the community to grow through competition and discipline. Under his leadership, The Golden Dragon developed a team of highly skilled, dedicated instructors who carried forward his mission of building strong, confident, and respectful martial artists.

Lanny’s life of service reached far beyond the dojo. He dedicated 38 years as a law enforcement investigator and more than 43 years as a police trainer, serving with distinction in the Williamsport Police Department and the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office. He retired as Chief County Detective, leaving a legacy of professionalism, mentorship, and leadership in both law enforcement and martial arts.

On July 26, 2024, Lanny passed away at the age of 78, surrounded by his family. His passing marked the end of an era, but his influence continues to live on in the students, instructors, and community he shaped over a lifetime.

His Legacy Lives On

Following Lanny’s passing, The Golden Dragon Academy entered a new chapter of growth and renewal. To reflect the expanded offerings of Wing Chun, Taekwondo, Boxing, No-Gi Grappling, and MMA, the academy embraced a new name: Growth Combat Sports. While the name has evolved, the foundation laid by Lanny Reed remains at the heart of everything we do — discipline, respect, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence.

Today, Growth Combat Sports honors the traditions established by its founder while embracing modern training methods and programs. Every class, every student, and every achievement stands as a living tribute to Floyd Lansing “Lanny” Reed III — a teacher, mentor, law enforcement leader, and true pioneer of martial arts in Pennsylvania.

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david-agama

Head Instructor - David Agama

Striker. Grappler. Teacher. Lifelong Martial Artist.

David Agama’s martial arts journey began at age 15 in California, where he earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do under the legendary Grand Master Chang Pak Kim. Fueled by curiosity and the spirit of challenge, David sought out sparring partners from every discipline, testing himself in open exchanges with martial artists of diverse backgrounds. These experiences ignited his passion for cross-training and ultimately led him to the close-range combat science of Wing Chun, which he studied under Sifu Kevin Paul.

A humbling encounter with a Division I wrestler revealed a gap in his skillset—and opened the door to a lifelong pursuit of grappling arts. David immersed himself in Judo, earning his Nidan (Second Degree Black Belt) and competing successfully at both local and national levels. His time on the tatami sharpened not only his technique, but also his philosophy as a martial artist and teacher.

In 2020, David joined Golden Dragon Academy, the school founded in 1970 by Floyd Lansing “Lanny” Reed III. Under Reed’s vision, the academy had become a cornerstone of martial arts in Pennsylvania, blending discipline, respect, and tradition. By August 2022, David was appointed Head Instructor, entrusted with carrying forward the academy’s legacy of Judo and multidisciplinary training.

After Lanny’s passing in July 2024, the academy continued to honor his memory while looking toward the future. Roughly a year later, the dojo embraced a new name—Growth Combat Sports—to reflect its expanded offerings in Wing Chun, Taekwondo, Boxing, No-Gi Grappling, and MMA. Today, as Head Instructor, David leads this new chapter, preserving the foundation built by Lanny Reed while guiding students into the evolving landscape of martial arts. His teaching blends traditional wisdom with modern methods, giving every student—from first-time beginners to seasoned competitors—the opportunity to grow, test themselves, and discover their own fighting spirit.

Sean Ferry – Martial Artist & Veteran of the Fight Arts

Disciplined. Determined. Dojo-Tested. Combat-Proven.

Sean Ferry began his martial arts journey in 2004, training in Shotokan Karate under John Powell, where he developed a deep respect for discipline, precision, and traditional striking techniques. In 2008, he answered a higher calling and joined the U.S. Navy, where his path as a martial artist took a powerful new direction.

While attending Patrolman School in San Diego, Sean realized that many of the self-defense and restraint techniques being taught were derived from Judo. Intrigued by the effectiveness and efficiency of these movements, he sought out formal training and joined White Dragon Dojo in Imperial Beach. Through dedication and relentless effort, he earned his Shodan (First Degree Black Belt) in Judo.

Even while serving his country, Sean never stopped evolving. He continued to cross-train in various disciplines—blending striking, grappling, and clinch work under the MMA ruleset. His time in service sharpened his physical and mental edge, making him not just a martial artist, but a true warrior-scholar of combat.

Today, Sean brings a unique blend of traditional martial arts foundation and modern combat training, inspiring others to train hard, stay humble, and live with honor both on and off the mat

Boxing Coach - Roland "Two Gun" Cooley Jr.

Roland “Two Gun” Cooley Jr. is a distinguished figure in American boxing, celebrated for his remarkable achievements both in the ring and as a mentor.

🥊 Boxing Career Highlights

  • Amateur Success: In 1979, Cooley clinched the National Golden Gloves Featherweight Championship, representing Pennsylvania. en.wikipedia.org+1phillyboxinghistory.com+1

  • Professional Record: Transitioning to the professional arena, Cooley amassed an impressive record of 13 wins and 1 loss, with 2 victories by knockout, during his career spanning from 1980 to 1982. phillyboxinghistory.com

  • Training Roots: A southpaw hailing from North Philadelphia, Cooley honed his skills at the renowned Frazier Gym, a testament to his dedication and discipline in the sport. phillyboxinghistory.com

👨‍👦 Legacy and Mentorship

Beyond his personal accolades, Cooley has made significant contributions as a trainer, notably guiding his son, Kareem “Cool Breeze” Cooley, through a successful amateur career boasting a 110-10 record. Kareem’s professional debut was under the vigilant mentorship of his father, highlighting Cooley Jr.’s commitment to nurturing talent. boxinginsider.com

Residing in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Roland “Two Gun” Cooley Jr. continues to be a pillar in the boxing community, inspiring upcoming athletes with his experience and passion for the sport.

Blair Wilt: The Relentless Visionary

Blair Wilt is an MMA fighter turned coach, committed to leaving a lasting impact on the combat sports world. With a career boasting 11 fights—2 victories in boxing, 1 kickboxing match, and 8 hard-fought MMA contests—Blair exemplifies perseverance and dedication. Over the past five years, he has sharpened his craft under the expert tutelage of Sean Ferry, David Agama, Mike Erb, and Roland “2 Gun” Cooley, building a strong foundation in technique and discipline.

Blair holds a yellow belt in judo and a two-stripe white belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, embodying a tireless drive to improve and expand his skill set. He views each training session as an opportunity to grow, always seeking to refine his abilities both as a fighter and a mentor.

With ambitions that transcend personal achievements, Blair’s ultimate goal is to become a UFC champion and etch his name into the UFC Hall of Fame. But his journey isn’t solely about accolades—he’s passionate about inspiring others. Through his work as a coach, Blair encourages individuals of all ages to follow their dreams, push past limits, and strive to be the best version of themselves, regardless of where they start.

Blair Wilt is more than an athlete—he’s a relentless visionary, determined to make an enduring contribution to the combat sports world while uplifting others to achieve greatness in their own lives.