American Karate Federation
Shorin-Ryu Matsubayashi Karate
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This web page has been developed by Doug Van Cleave, 5th Degree Blackbelt in The American Karate Federation (Shorin-Ryu Matsubayashi Karate). The following is a brief chronological history of the development of the Dojos listed in this Web site.
Sensei Van Cleave is the owner and author of this Web site and as such, is solely responsible for the content.
Gary Tiktin – Godan/First Teacher and Founder of the American Karate Federation Sensei Tiktin began his Shorin-Ryu training in Okinawa 1959. He trained under Sensei Nagamine in the Naha, Okinawa dojo. During several trips to Okinawa, he also trained under Chotoku Omine as well as Ansei Ueshiro. Sensei Tiktin was promoted to Shodan by Sensei Nagamine. In 1962, Sensei Tiktin founded the American Karate Federation. Sensei Tiktin continues to train privately and serve as President of the American Karate Federation.
Walt Sapronov – Godan, 5th Degree Blackbelt Sensei Sapronov studied Shorin-Ryu while attending Ohio State University. He began training in 1966 under Sensei Tiktin. In 1970, he moved to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa. Sensei Sapronov established the Iowa City, Shorin-Ryu dojo in 1970. The dojo was affiliated with the college’s recreational department. Sensei Sapronov switched styles more than twenty years ago, and became an American Karate practitioner/kickboxer. He has focused exclusively on this style over the years and remains active in American Karate.
Denis Oliver – Godan, 5th Degree Blackbelt Sensei Oliver began training in January of 1971 at the Iowa City dojo under the direction of Sensei Sapronov. Sensei Oliver has been the focal point of Shorin-Ryu karate in Iowa since the summer of 1974. The Iowa City dojo has been the most prolific of all of the Shorin-Ryu dojos. It is from Iowa City that the expansion of this style began. This expansion would not have occurred without Sensei Oliver’s dedication, guidance and support. Sensei Oliver is currently living in Iowa City, Iowa. He continues to train privately and provide guidance to all of his students that have established Shorin-Ryu dojos throughout the United States.
Doug Van Cleave – Godan, 5th Degree Blackbelt Sensei Van Cleave began training in September of 1972 at the Iowa City dojo under Sensei Oliver. In August of 1973, Sensei Van Cleave established the Newton, Iowa dojo and continued to commute to the Iowa City dojo to train with Sensei Oliver. The following is a list of dojo’s established by Sensei Van Cleave. Newton, Iowa, established August 1973 - Active, Steve Ferraz instructing Fort Dodge, Iowa, established May 1980 - Inactive Burnsville, Minnesota, established July 1981 – Active, Scott Jones instructing Apopka, Florida, established May 1985 – Active, Doug Van Cleave instructing
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