1. Gichin Funakoshi, established Shotokan Karate Do in 1939. Master Funakoshi studied from about eleven years old under Azato Anko and Itosu Anko. He practiced diligently and in 1912 became the president of the Okinawan Shobukai. In May 1922, he relocated to Tokyo and became a professional teacher of karate-do. He devoted his entire life to the development of karate-do. He lived out his eighty-eight years of life and left this world on April 26, 1957.

2. Won Kuk Lee, In 1926 Won Kuk Lee travelled to Tokyo, where he attended high school and later attended the Central University of Tokyo (Chuo University) specializing in Law. During his school years, he started training in the martial arts currently known as Karate-Do Shotokan style, under the tutelage of Gichin Funakoshi and his son, Gigō Funakoshi, who was the instructor in charge of the karate club of the Central University of Tokyo. It was there that Won Kuk became one of the first students of karate in Japan, obtaining the highest rank for a person who was not a Japanese national. After his graduation in Chuo University, he traveled Japan, visiting Okinawa and many other cities in China, including centers where Chuan Fa (kung-fu) was taught.

3. Nam Tae Hi, started training in 1946 and received his first degree under Master Won Kuk Lee. After receiving his first degree in Shotokan Karate Do went on to create Oh Do Kwan with Master H.H. Choi.

4. Grand Master Jhoon Goo Rhee – introduced his mixture of Shotokan and Tae Kown Do martial arts to the United States of America since arriving in the 1950s.

5. Allen Steen – was the first american to receive a first degree black belt in 1962 from Jhoon Rhee. Steen also recognized that his first degree was Shotokan Karate Do and subsequent black belt degrees were Tae Kwon Do oriented. In Dallas, Texas he created his Dojo that was American Karate and Tae Kwon Do.

6. Mickey Fisher – Received his black belt from Allen Steen in the mid 1960’s and was an instructor with Allen Steen at American Karate and Tae Kwon Do.

7. P. D. Hale – Received his black belt from Mickey Fisher in late 1960’s in American Karate and Tae Kwon Do. In the 1970’s Master Hale studied under Jae Won Park of Korea and was awarded another certification under Song Moo Kwan. Currently Mr. Hale is a Grand Master with the rank of 10th degree black belt.

8. Rick Williams – Received his black belt from Grand Master P. D. Hale and created Kaufman Karate in the early 1970’s. Currently Master Williams 9th degree black belt owns and operates Crandall Family Martial Arts in Crandall, Texas and he and his wife are managing the Kaufman County Children’s shelter in Kaufman Texas.

9. Jon Hodge – Started training in the early 1990’s under Rick Williams and was subsequently promoted to black belt and became an instructor for Kaufman Karate through 2003. In 2003 Master Hodge opened a school of his own in Crandall and later Seagoville , Texas where he and his son operated the schools until 2012. Currently Master Hodge, a 6th degree black belt is a full time instructor of the Global Martial Arts University, and runs a small dojo in Central Texas. Over the years Master Hodge has studied many different forms of martial arts and is also a Master Chi Kung and Tai Chi instructor.

Is your course aligned with a particular organization or association?

Yes, all rank awarded is recognized and accredited through the Global Martial Arts Association, the Association of Martial Artists World Wide, as well as various local and national training centers. If you are looking to receive a certification or ranking through a specific group – then you must contact them directly. If you are purely interested in mastering the art itself, improving yourself, and earning accredited rank as you progress – then our course will be a good fit.

Is a partner required for training and ranking?

Although it is not a complete necessity, it can be very beneficial to have a training partner. The techniques can be practiced solo (preferably with a mirror). In the rank exam video, the kumite can be demonstrated solo or with a partner. If a partner is not available for self defense and one step demonstrations, a hanging bag or realistic dummy can be useful. You will need a partner in the kumite section of the brown belt – black belt rank exams, this can be a friend, training partner, or family member. But, a partner is not necessary for the majority of your training.

Will my certificate state that it was earned “online” or through “home study”?

No. Certificates issued are the same as those awarded to physical training students. This is because we have the same syllabus, testing requirements, and student standards in our home study course. Since you are not physically attending classes, you will need to put in extra work and have a much higher level of self-discipline in order to advance.

What if I have previous martial arts rank and experience?

Great! You are an even better candidate for studying at home, since you have trained in the past. However, we do not offer rank transfers or reduce your training requirements. We have found it to be most beneficial for students to begin at the first level.

How can I transfer my current rank into the Global Martial Arts University?

We currently allow for rank transfers in our Shotokan course. If you hold a rank in shotokan karate (not another style of karate), then you are eligible. Here is the process for transferring rank:

You will first need to enroll into a GMAU Shotokan student membership. Click on Manage Courses, Subscribe, and choose a payment option. Scan and email a copy of your highest rank certificate in the style to us. (once you enroll we will provide for the email address) Pay the $85 rank transfer fee. This covers the instructors time in reviewing your rank transfer video and for our administrative time getting you transferred into the rank. For Shotokan: Film yourself demonstrating all of our syllabus’s katas from white to your current rank. Upload as a Youtube unlisted video, and send a message to Sensei Jon with this URL.

Your instructor will do a detailed review of your transfer rank video. If you are up to our standards of rank equivalency, we will honor your current rank, and you can keep training toward your black belt and beyond.

Is there a minimum wait between rank exams? What is the average time between each exam?

There is no “forced wait” in our program. But, we do require students to document their training/practice sessions in the Online Student Journal, within their Global Martial Arts University Student Dashboard. We require for you to train a minimum number of hours and to document each practice session in your student journal before you take an exam. We do this for a few reasons:

It allows us to keep tabs on your progress, practice schedule, and training time. As your instructors, we are more in the loop, just as we would be if you attended physical classes with us.

The minimum training hours are designed so that you get enough repetitions; create real muscle memory, and instinctual movement. It is not enough to just “know how to do a technique” or “know the pattern of a kata” – but to execute these motions in a complete state of being and presence. Sufficient, documented practice will get you there.

We want to maintain high standards of excellence and expectations, so that you training, progress, and ranking is up to par to a shotokan student from a physical dojo.

Minimum Training Hours

Beginner to White – 8 hours, approx. 2 weeks

White to Yellow Belt – 36 hours, approx. 3 months

Yellow to Orange Belt – 36 hours, approx. 3 months

Orange to Green Belt – 36 hours, approx. 3 months

Green to Blue Belt – 36 hours, approx. 3 months

Blue to Purple Belt – 36 hours, approx. 3 months

Purple to 3nd Kyu Brown Belt – 36 hours, approx. 3 months

3rd Kyu Brown to 2nd Kyu Brown Belt – 72 hours, approx. 6 months

2nd Kyu Brown to 1st Kyu Brown Belt – 72 hours, approx. 6 months

1st Kyu Brown to Shodan Black Belt – 108 hours, approx. 9 months

Time between rank exams and time to reach black belt vary student-by-student. It depends on how much time you dedicate to your karate training each week and your training intensity. If you train more often, you can clearly advance at a more rapid pace.

Can my partner (or family members) also take a rank exam and become certified?

Yes! If you have a family member or friend who wants to enroll, they will need their own student account. Each and every student will receive instructor support and individualized feedback through their own respective training path, so we must have a separate account and payment plan for them.

Is there a cost for testing? What does the rank exam fee include?

Yes. Rank exams are $60 each. First of all, the fee covers the time and energy that your instructor takes out working with you and grading your exam. Your instructor will take out a good chunk of time to study your exam, grade it, make detailed notes, and work back and forth with you in communication. The fee also covers the actual certificate of rank, and the mailing of this certificate to your address. Your instructor will also film a personalized feedback video for you going over corrections, tips, and guidance to improve.

Can you earn past 1st dan black belt?

Yes! The Global Martial Arts University Shotokan Karate membership includes access to 2nd Dan Black Belt (Nidan), and in the near future, we will add 3rd Dan (Sandan) black belt level.

How can I become a certified instructor and run my own Karate classes?

Upon earning a black belt, you can take our Instructor Certification Course. Now that you understand the mechanics and concepts of Shotokan Karate, it is time to learn how to actually teach this to a student. Our Instructor Course covers: cycle of instruction, student learning framework, class structure, how to plan/organize classes, working with children of various ages, teaching adults/seniors, kata instruction, disguising repetition, drills, black belt skills, nutrition, flexibility, testing students, and basic business/management skills in operating your own facility. This course is currently in the works and will be available later this year. By the time you earn your black belt, it will be available as an option to become certified. By earning an instructor certification through our association, you will be able to rank students, and have the prestige and support of our team behind you. Read Sensei Jon’s article “Can I Become A Certified Instructor and Open A Dojo through Complete Shotokan Karate?” We also offer in-person Instructor Certifications setup as a one-on-one event or in a group event.