Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Karate-Do & Kobudo
K.V. Manorahan, Kyoshi ( Kobudo )
7th Dan Kyoshi Kobudo Cert #1
INDIA DIRECTOR OF KOBUDO
In 1996 Shihan K.V.Manoharan contacted to Hanshi Naonobu Ahagon reguarding Kobudo instruction . In 1997 Shihan K.V.Manoharan visited Okinawa and became a student of Kobudo under Ahagon Sensei. He frequently travels to Okinawa continuing his Kobudo training. In 1999 K.V.Manoharan received a certificate for International Kobudo Instructor, International Referee and got permission to teach Kobudo all over the world except in Okinawa.
In November 2004 he received the rank of Godan (5th Dan) in Kobudo as well as a Renshi title from Ahagon Sensei. K.V. was the first foreign student to receive this rank and title (Reg #1).During his visit in March 2014 K.V. was promoted to the new rank of Rokudan (6th Dan). In August of 2022 Manoharan Sensei was promoted to the rank of Nanadan, 7th Dan, Kyoshi becoming the first person outside of Okinawa Japan to receive such a recognition.
Michael H. Evans, Kyoshi ( Karate & Kobudo )
7th Dan Kyoshi Karate Cert #1 Kyoshi Kobudo Cert #2
Chico Dojo Kaicho
Michael Evans first introduction to the Martial Arts was at the age of twelve when he started Judo. Later at the age of seventeen, he began training in the art of Shorin-Ryu Karate. He has continued his training and teaching of this art for the last thirty years. He achieved his Shodan (1st Dan) in 1983, his Nidan (2nd Dan) in 1985 and his Sandan (3rd Dan) in 1987. In 1990, he was fortunate enough to go to Okinawa and test for his Yondan, (4th Dan). He received his Godan (5th Dan) in 1994. He received his Rokudan (6th Dan) in Okinawan Karate as well as his Yondan (4th Dan) in Kobudo (Weapons) in 1999 under the Shorin-kan association. Note that in 1995, Michael received his first of two Shihan (teaching certificates) the 2nd, and most important to him in 2000 when he began training with Ahagon Sensei. In 2004 he received his Rokudan (6th Dan) in Chico from Ahagon Sensei as well as his Renshi title. He also was promoted to Yondan (4th Dan) in Kobudo, receiving the teaching title of Shihan. Michael was recognized as an international instructor by Ahagon Sensei. In 2007 he tested and passed his Godan (5th Dan) in Kobudo. In the spring of 2010, he tested for Nanadan (7th Dan). In the 1980's, Michael was a top tournament competitor. He has competed in hundreds of tournaments wining or placing in most. During the 1987 tournament season, Michael was rated number one in fighting for California and Nevada by the Professional Karate League. Michael has taught many seminars regarding, Self Defense, fighting, and the martial arts in general throughout California, Nevada, and Montana. During Michael's last trip to Okinawa , 2023, he was tested and passed his Nanadan (7th Dan) test in Kobudo. This is the highest Kobudo rank given by Ahagon Sensei to a student based in the United States to date.
Mark Spear, Kyoshi ( Karate & Kobudo )
7th Dan Kyoshi Karate Cert #2 6th Dan Renshi Kobudo Cert #2
Black Bear Dojo
Mark Spear started training in the martial arts in 1975 in Mystic, CT. His first style was Judo, a Japanese art that was very popular at the time that was being taught in the area. Mark earned the rank of brown belt. At age 13, he studied Kung Fu, Pai Lum system. Mark studied with Respholi Sifu until his untimely passing. He then found a Shorin-Ryu school in Westerly, RI called NEMA (New England Martial Arts) under the ownership and direction of Robert Celico Sensei, student of Patrick Hayden Sensei. He trained with Celico Sensei until the NEMA closed. He began training with Luzzi Sensei of Northeast Karate in Westerly, RI. He was promoted to Shodan in the spring of 1991. From 1991 until 1992, he received instruction from B. Algier Sensei at the Knights of Columbus karate club. Never leaving his Shorin-ryu training, he was later able to supplement his martial arts knowledge in Goju-ryu with Fisher Sensei in New London, CT from 1991 through 1996. From 2002 through 2008, he trained Shorin-Ryu Shidokan with Algier Sensei (at the direction of R. Herten, Sensei of NJ) at the first and second location of the Okinawan Karate Institute. On May 27, 2009 Naonobu Ahagon Sensei appointed him Chief Instructor for Reihokan for the State of CT and he was granted a Shihan license. His dojo, Black Bear Traditional Martial Arts Center was recognized as the Shibu Dojo for the Reihokan Association for the state of CT. In August 2012, Spear Sensei was promoted to Nanadan (7th Dan). Spear Sensei has been teaching for over 28 years. In April of 2017 received the promotion to Godan (5th Dan), Renshi, in Kobudo, during his visit to the honbu dojo as well as his Shihan title ( formal teaching license ). He has instructed with agencies such as the State of CT, Navy training academies, State of RI, Town of Westerly, and many others. He is currently certified to instruct for the following groups: American Red Cross, R.A.D., American Women's Self Defense Assoc., NRA and Town of Westerly. Spear Sensei has been training in the Martial Arts for 48 years and have trained with some of the best Shorin-Ryu students/teachers in the world. During Mark's last trip to Okinawa , 2023, he was tested and passed his Rokudan (6th Dan) test in Kobudo.
BILL A. BARRON ( Karate & Kobudo )
6th Dan Renshi Karate Cert # 5th Dan Renshi Kobudo Cert #
Tomodaci Dojo Kaicho
I have studied Martial Arts for over 55 years. I studied Judo at the age of eighteen. Beginning in 1991, I studied Shorin Ryu Shorinkan Karate for ten years under Sensei Pat Haley. In 2002, I studied Shorin Ryu Reihokan Karate under Sensei Mike Evans for twenty years. I have obtained the rank of Roku Dan in Karate and Go Dan in Kobudo. I am very fortunate to know and have trained with some very exceptional instructors.
I am retired from Butte County, where I was the Supervisor of Building Inspection. I have been Married for forty-eight years to my wife Cheryl. We have two children, a daughter, Laura, and son, Adam. We have three Grandchildren, Tekoah, Melayia, and Adalynn.
I love to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy hunting and fishing. I like to work on my airplane and flying.
The advice that I would give to students is: To live by the Martial Arts values of Responsibility, Leadership, Respect, and Integrity.
The name of my Dojo is Tomodachi Dojo, Friendship House. Classes are held in the basement of the Chico Elks Lodge, adjacent to the gym. We meet every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning. The dojo mailing address is my home address,3381 Dry Creek Rd. Oroville, Calif. 95965
The beliefs and goals of my dojo are Karate-Do, a way or path, that instills values that foster personal growth in an environment in which every individual matters. Guiding values are responsibility, leadership, respect, and integrity. We provide the opportunity for individuals to realize their full potential, promote social and cultural vitality and the health and well-being of the community. By preserving and applying knowledge, our commitment to excellence coupled with continuous improvement, prepares students to lead lives of personal integrity and civic responsibility in a global society.
Lesson plans will include, defusing confrontation, self-defense for men, women, and children, dealing with bullies and accommodating people with special needs. Bill is currently a Rokudan (6th Dan) in Karate lastly testing in 2023 as well as a Godan (5th Dan) in Kobudo. In 2023 Bill was reconized as a Shibu dojo directly under Honbu dojo and provided a Shihan license, also known as a teaching license.
THOMAS TEDSCHI ( Karate & Kobudo )
6th Dan Renshi Karate Cert #7 2nd Dan Kobudo Cert #
Iron Horse Dojo Kaicho
At nine years old, in June of 1973, I started my journey with Robert Herten Sensei, a direct student of Nakazato Shuguro Sensei of Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan. I trained with Herten Sensei until 1982 when I enlisted in the U.S.M.C. for 3 years. Throughout my time in the Marines, I continued to train in Shorin-Ryu. In 1985 I received my Shodan (1st-degree black belt) directly from Nakazato Sensei.
After leaving the Marines I became a horse farrier and shod horses for 30 years. I worked for the Canadian dressage team and cared for horses during two Olympics, in Athens, Greece, and Beijing, China. I also shod horses for the World Cup and World Games in Aachen, Germany. My specialties took me all over the world. I am now retired from shoeing horses, and I am a chef.
Continuing to train, I was introduced to Ahagon Naonobu Hanshi in 2010 while attending a seminar in the NJ dojo. He spent a week with us and shared his extensive knowledge of Shuri-te. In 2012 I also attended his seminar in CT hosted by Spear Sensei. I earned my Nanadan (7th-degree black belt) and Kyoshi (model teacher title) from Herten Sensei in 2013.
In 2017 I was afforded a wonderful opportunity to become a direct student of Ahagon Naonobu, Judan (10th-degree black belt) Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Karate and Kobudo. I made my first trip to Okinawa in April of 2018, where I was awarded the rank of Godan (5th-degree black belt) and received Shibu Dojo recognition, reporting directly to Honbu Dojo in Okinawa. Later in the summer, I trained with him again when he came to our Connecticut dojo. I tested in and received Shodan in Kobudo (weapons training).
I started the Iron Horse Dojo in 2021 at Spa 23 in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, where I teach children and adults the art of Okinawan Reihokan Shorin-Ryu while continuing my training under Ahagon Sensei. I returned to Okinawa in 2023 when Covid restrictions were lifted and was promoted to Roku Dan (6th-degree black belt) and awarded a Shihan teaching license. 2023 marks my 50th year of being a student in Okinawan Karate and 40 years of teaching.
I am currently a general member of the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, Japan’s oldest budo organization.
BERNIE KELLY ( Karate & Kobudo )
6th Dan Renshi Karate Cert #8 3rd Dan Kobudo Cert #
Standing Bear Dojo / Kelly's Martial Arts Kaicho
Bernie Kelly began wrestling in middle school in 1977. He trained and competed nationally and internationally in American Folkstyle, Olympic Freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling. Due to the high level of his wrestling, Bernie placed 2nd at the 1984 California State Freestyle and Greco tournament, competed in the 1984 U.S. Nationals and took home 2nd place at the European International Tournament. He had a successful career at West Point and USC Fullerton. He added Olympic Sambo (Russian wrestling) and Judo to his extensive list of training as well.
Bernie began his martial arts training in 1983 studying Kung Foo San Soo under Sifu Jim Godec. Through the late 80’s and into the 1990’s he studied Aikido off and on. kids’he summer of 1988, he began training with Pat Haley, Sensei, in the Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Association and was invited to assist in teaching the kids classes where he discovered his gift for teaching children. When Haley Sensei promoted Bernie to Shodan in 1992 he also made him the chief instructor of the Paradise Branch Dojo.
In 1993 Bernie moved his family to Colorado where he was introduced to Sean Riley, Sensei of the Shorin-ryu Shorinkan. Riley trained Bernie and promoted him to NIdan. By 1998 Bernie had been promoted to Sandan in karate-do and Shodan in kobudo. Later that year they moved back to California where Bernie entered the teaching profession where he would eventually become a multi award-winning California public school Teacher of the Year.
In 2015 Bernie began training with Michael Evans, Kyoshi in the Shorin-ryu Reihokan Associaction. Evans Sensei introduced Bernie to Ahagon Naonobu, Hanshi in 2018 and that summer Bernie earned his Yondan in karate-do and Nidan in kobudo. He also opened his current dojo, Standing Bear in Cottonwood California.
In July of 2022 Bernie became the direct student of Ahagon Hanshi. His Standing Bear Dojo was recognized as a Shibu dojo in 2023 when Bernie made the trip to Okinawa. He also tested for his Godan in karate-do and Sandan in kobudo and received his Shihan license.
While Bernie loves martial arts and grappling, he loves his wife Kirsten more. Together they have raised 2 daughters and established a quiet, modest home where people are invited in for food, beverages, and a chat.
ROJI ANTONY Sensei ( Karate & Kobudo )
6th Dan Renshi Karate Cert #9
INDIA DIRECTOR OF KARATE
1987 Black Belt under Sensei Sebastian Joseph from Kottayam. 1988 Shihan Kuppuswami Black Belt confirmation at Pala. 1990 Karnataka Boxing Champion. 1994 Formed Mixed Martial Academy IMAA (Karate, Kalari, Boxing and Yoga). 1998 All Kerala knock out full contact champion. 1999 Achieved 3rd degree Black Belt from Kenya.. 2012 Completed master course in Sky Yoga from World Community Center Aliyar. 2013 Achieved black belt Go-Dan (5th degree) from Kyoshi P.R Ramesh 7th Dan, KEN-El-MABUNI-Shito-Ryu Karate school of India. Achieved Kobudo Sho-Dan given by Shihan K.V Manoharan Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Karate and Kubudo Japan. 2014 Achieved San Dan (3rd degree black belt) from Okinawa Japan. Given by Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Karate Association grandmaster Hanshi Naonabu Ahagon (Red Belt.) Integrated Martial Arts academy got affiliation from Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Karate Association Japan Achieved Kobudo Ni-Dan (2nd degree black belt) from Shihan K.V Manoharan. 2015 Completed master degree in Reiki given by Reiki Grand Master Ganapathy Sharma, Amruthapuram. 2015 Acheived Yon Dan (4th degree black belt) from Okinawa Japan given by Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Karate. Association grandmaster Hanshi-Naonabu Ahagon. 2015 Appointed as the CHIEF INSTRUCTOR of Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Karate Association of India. In 2023 Roji was promoted to 6th Dan and also received the teachers title of Shihan.
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