Kalib Starnes an early age and began teaching when he was a teenager. He started training Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at the Gracie Academy in 1994 in Torrance, California. He also trained in Las Vegas and Fort Lauderdale from 2006 - 2008 at the famous American Top Team gym. His primary styles are Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Greco-Roman Wrestling and Boxing, other styles include Kung Fu, Taekwondo, Aikido, Muay Thai and Shotokan and Wado-ryu Karate. He has studied under prominent trainers such as UFC champion Royce Gracie, Olympic boxing gold medalist Howard Davis, Jr., Canadian boxer Tony Pep, Olympic wrestler Colin Daynes, and professional
Ryu Seung-min Ma Lin and Wang Hao, Ryu never uses the backside of his blade – in fact, he does not even have rubber on it. Ryu relies on his outstanding footwork, explosive forehand loops and drives to win points. For some time he used Xiom (South Korea) table paddles and rubbers playing with his signature model "Ryu Seung Min Special" penhold and has been using ProZRSM ever since his victory at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Lately he switched again to Butterfly (Japan) equipment and now he uses their Ryu Seung-min G-Max blade with Tenergy 05. As of December 1, 2012 he