Bill Hornbaker

Billy began his martial arts journey in high school as a wrestler and later pursued a degree in Kinesiology at Campbell University.  During his college years, he expanded his training to American Karate and Kickboxing under Leon Nelson in 2015.  Since then, Billy has immersed himself in various martial arts, competing over 20 times in disciplines such as Grapple Strike, Bareknuckle Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Kickboxing.

In 2019, Billy earned his black belt in American Karate and Kickboxing, solidifying his expertise.  Alongside his passion for competing, Billy discovered a love for coaching.  He plays a key role in training beginner and Intermediate students and serves as an assistant coach for all levels of Kickboxing.

Since joining the Apex Martial Arts Center/Open Guard BJJ family in 2017, Billy has become a mainstay at the gym.  He is a trusted friend and operations partner to Don Rodger, and his dedication to martial arts is evident, whether he’s preparing to compete or helping the team get ready for upcoming competitions.