    Sensei Keeling has been doing Karate since 1982 and spent a total of 8 years in Japan honing his skills. He lived at the Hoitsugan Dojo, the private dojo of the late JKA chief instructor Masatoshi Nakayama, for 3 years prior to and following Nakayama Sensei's passing in the 1980's. He trained daily at the Hoitsugan and at the JKA Sou-Honbu (Headquarters) Dojo during that time, learning from many of the world's best karate instructors. He spent an additional 5 years in Japan in the 1990's. Sensei Keeling received his yondan (4th degree black belt) in Japan in May 1997 and JKA 'D' level instructor/examiner/judge certification in October 1998. Keeling Sensei was presented with his WTKO godan (5th degree) certificate in 2011 in recognition of his superior skills and deep understanding and vast experience in Shotokan. He also unexpectedly received his rokudan (6th degree) certificate from Shinkyu Shotokan in 2011. Sensei Keeling is the author of a over 100 articles on the subject of karate. He is also the moderator of several online karate forums, including the Shotokan forum on Yahoo!, has been the coordinator for martial arts' demonstrations at the annual Spirit of JapanTown Festival in San Jose, is Chief Referee for the annual Shinkyu Shotokan tournament in South San Francisco and runs and/or participates in various special events in various locations. He also has experience in other martial arts, including Aikido, as well as boxing. Sensei Keeling has placed highly in many tournaments, including many gold medals. Although he has the ability to train people interested in tournament competition to do their best in such events, he considers such things to be far less important than training for purposes of self-defense and self-betterment. Read an interview with Sensei Keeling in The Shotokan Way. Senior Instructor Fred Borda Sensei Borda has practiced karate for over 25 years. He trained at the Hoitsugan Dojo and the JKA Honbu Dojo in Tokyo for three years, as well as at JKA dojos in Santa Cruz, Redwood City and Palo Alto, California for extended periods. He last pursued dan grading in 1998 and received his nidan (2nd degree black belt) yet is considered more knowledgeable than most with ranks 2-3 levels senior. Borda Sensei was presented unexpectedly with his WTKO sandan (3rd degree) certificate in 2011 in recognition of his superior skills and deep understanding and vast experience in Shotokan. Sensei Borda contributes articles to karate publications and helps lead instructor training classes from time to time. In his professional life he maintains close ties to Japan and speaks Japanese fluently. Other Instructors Other experienced black belt instructors teach when the senior instructors cannot make it to the dojo. Our assistant instructors have the deserved reputation as having more knowledge and teaching skill than most head instructors at other dojo/clubs. Jean - With SVSK since the late 1990's, Jean brings experience and understanding appreciated by all. She has attained a high level of technical skill and teaching ability. Ken - Experienced in other styles of Karate since the early 1990's, Ken has been with SVSK since 2000. He has a passionate teaching style that blends tradition with practical application. Andrew - At SVSK since 2001, Andrew has been doing Shotokan since the early 1990's. In addition, he has trained in Jiujutsu and Aikido. Andrew has a reputation for smiling a lot, even while performing grueling exercises where most others cannot keep up. He is a great example for not only technical performance but positive attitude as well. Ekapol - Starting in the martial arts in 1987, with SVSK since 2003, Ekapol shares enthusiasm and leads by example, working hard to improve himself while helping and encouraging others. Through his experience with other martial arts, including Judo, TaeKwonDo and weapons, Ekapol often provides additional insights based on realistic application of our training. Andreas - Beginning his Shotokan training in 1984 in his native Greece, Andreas continued his training in Boston during college, attaining shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1989. He has additional experience in Judo and TaeKwonDo but Shotokan is his passion. Andreas has been with SVSK since 2009. Mihai - Since starting Shotokan in his native Romania in 1989, Mihai has trained in numerous locations internationally and has been with SVSK since 2008. He ranked in the top 3 in both kata & kumite at several national competitions in Romania, as well as a national tournament here in the US. Mihai has very graceful technique and, as with all of the instructors, a positive, enthusiastic attitude. John P. - John S. - (photos and additional descriptions will be added later) Guest Instructors We host guest instructors at least a few times each year and are involved in some of the biggest and best seminar sets in the world. See https: www.jkasv.com/special-events and http://www.hoitsugan.com/hoitsuganseminars.html for more. |
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