This was the beginning of a 38 years journey of martial/combat arts training. He was part of  the State High School Wrestling and Judo Championship Team.

BlackBelt Hall of Fame , Sensei Doug Graham was his High School Judo Coach. Don was State Judo Champ and Team Captain his senior year. He was a 2 time Junior Olympic Judo Gold Medalist. He learned the importance of realistic training against someone who's really resisting.

While teaching Judo at a local Boys Club he saw Ed Lewis's Karate/Kung-Fu class and started training. He Studied the Style of Yao Mun Nomad (or New Organization of Martial Art and Defense), which also promoted a new concept of Kick Boxing or Full Contact Karate. He reached Black Belt rankings in both Karate and Judo. He learned you must train smart to prevent injuries.

In 1979 he began Combat Arnis training with Qui Brocka. 1980 he competed in the 1st World Koushu Kung-Fu Championships in Hawaii.

1981-1984 Competed in Mr Pacific Coast, Emerald Cup and NW Natural Body Building Championships, placing 2nd.

1984 he was hired by King County Sheriff's Office.

1985 he was the Washington State TaeKwonDo Black Belt Grand Champion of Sparring Division.

With his love of sports he's competed from 1985-2002 in the CanAm Police and Fire Games, winning over 20 medals, in Powerlifting, Judo, Submission Grappling, Karate, Full Contact Stick Fighting, Track & Field, Pistol Shooting and Paintball.

1984-2006Over the next 22 years he attended Instructor Level Classes at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, reaching Master Defensive Tactics Instructor, Riot Team Instructor, Advanced Firearms Instructor and Master Taser Instructor.

From 1990-1997 Deputy Gulla was assigned to the Police Academy , teaching Criminal Investigation, Traffic, Crisis Intervention and Defensive Tactics.

1990-2005 This is where Arrestling began as morning Academy workouts with Academy Instructor Rob Bardsley.(See what's Arrestling)

In 1995 he began training with the Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu Team, receiving his blue belt under Professor Marcelo Alonso.

He competed in the World Police and Fire Games , becoming a 4 time Gold Medalist, including beating the Russian Police Karate Team in Sweden in 1999.

In 1997 he returned as a Entry Team Member assigned the SWAT Team. He is part of the Tactical Training Unit, which is responsible for instructing deputies in Defensive Tactics, Active Shooter, Firearms Training and Taser Training during in-service training.

1990 Goodwill Games Anti-Terrorist Unit.

1996 Atlanta Olympic Security Team, Athens.

2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Security Detail, assigned to Deer Valley and Park City.

1999 one of the primary Riot Team Trainers for World Trade Organization WTO held in Seattle. During the WTO Riots he was assigned to a Tactical Response Team, responsible for supporting Riot Teams, Dignitary Protection, National Guard Support and Hostage/Officer Rescue.

2003 Assigned as SWAT Security Detail of Gary Ridgeway, America's worst serial killer, during plea and sentencing.

2006 Promoted to Purple Belt in Brazilian JuJitsu - Carlson Gracie Jr, under Professor Marcelo Alonso.

Promoted to Coach Level I in Combat Submission Wrestling under Erik Paulson. A 38 year student of Martial Arts Don is promoted to 7th Degree Black Belt (Red/White) Shihan in Kyokushin Budokai Karate under Kaicho Jon Bluming, one of the Best All Around Fighters of All Time.

                                      

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