Chronology – Kansas City Shotokan Karate Club

1930-1956

Tsutomu Ohshima (b. August 6, 1930) trained in sumo from age 3 to 13, kendo from age 8 to 15, and Judo for four years at the same time. He completed 20 kendo and judo special trainings as a young boy. Mr. Ohshima began training in Shotokan Karate in 1948 at Waseda University in Tokyo under Shotokan founder Gichin Funakoshi, Hiorshi Noguchi, Shigeru Egami, Toshio Kamata-Watanabe, Todao Okuyama, and Matsuo Shibuya.

: 1948 Sado Island special training. 18-year-old Tsutomu Ohshima 3rd from left in back row

: 1953 Waseda University Karate Club. Captain Tsutomu Ohshima on Master Funakoshi’s right

: 1957 Mr. Ohshima with original SCKA members at Konko Church

: 2015 Ohshima Sensei at SOD black belt practice

In 1952, Mr. Ohshima was appointed captain of Waseda University Karate Club and was awarded sandan by Master Funakoshi.

In 1955, Mr. Ohshima arrived in California where he planned to attend UCLA and obtain a master’s degree in political science, but first he needed to improve his English. While struggling to make ends meet, he was persuaded to teach karate to a small group in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. March 25, 1956, the first practice was held and Southern California Karate Association (SCKA, later renamed SKA) was born.

1959

Jon Beltram (b. July 10, 1941) began Tae Kwon Do training at age 17 in Lexington, Missouri where he’d been boxing. Over the next ten years, he earned black belts in Tae Kwon Do, Okinawan Shorei Kempo, Okinawan Goju-ryu, Japanese Goju-ryu, JKA Shotokan, Judo, and Aikido. He was active in commercial karate and the tournament circuit where he earned a reputation as a very tough fighter.

1964

Jon Beltram attended the Nisei Week Tournament and was deeply impressed by Tsutomu Ohshima, shihan of the Southern California Karate Association (SCKA later became SKA) who made an amazing demonstration.

1965

Mr. Ohshima accepted the invitation of Shobu Academy where Jon Beltram was Director of Karate. Mr. Ohshima led practice and made demonstrations.

: 1965 Shobu Academy ad with Jon Beltram Karate Instructor

1966

Mr. Ohshima was unable to visit, but sent his junior, Mamoru Ohara, to KC Academy of Judo and Karate. Mr. Ohara remained for several months before moving to the University of Illinois in 1967.

Jon Beltram became a member of SCKA (birth of Kansas City Shotokan Karate Club)!

Jim Kaplafka began Shotokan Karate practice at University of Illinois under Mr. Ohara.

1967

Mr.. Ohshima sent Shoji Okabe to replace Mr. Ohara. Mr. Okabe and Jon Beltram became lifelong friends. Mr. Okabe moved to the University of Illinois where he started the Illini Karate Club.

: 1966 Gary Rubyor, Jon Beltram

: 1966 Jon Beltram referees Gary Rubyor and unidentified

: 1966 Jon referees Gary Rubyor and ??

1968

KC and Illini groups had an exchange practice. Jon Beltram and Jim Kaplafka became acquainted.

Jon’s first special training at Lake Arrowhead, CA.

: 1969 Jon Beltram counter with David L. Mills

1969

Jon Beltram, Gary Rubyor, Shoji Okabe attend Jon’s 2^nd special training at Lake Arrowhead, CA.

Mike Lyon began jiu-jitsu practice in Philadelphia.

1970

Jon Beltram, Don DePree, Jeffrey Klein, Ron Thom, and Henry Wilkerson were selected by Mr. Ohshima to compete in the first World Karate-do Championship held in Tokyo, Japan. Jon was appointed team captain.

: 1970 Jon Beltram and USA Team depart Los Angeles for Tokyo (l-r): Kyo Ohshima, Mrs. Ohshima, Tomo Ohshima, Mr. Ohshima, Jeff Klein, unidentified, Jon Beltram, unidentified, Dan Ivan, Don DePree, Henry Wilkerson, Fumio Demura (Ron Thom shot the photo)

1971

Longview Community College Dojo founded by David L. Mills, sankyu, under Jon’s supervision.

1974

Donnie Duncan began karate practice with another group.

1975

Mr. Ohshima led the first Midwest summer special training (Champaign, IL). Ohshima Sensei led all Midwest special trainings until he retired from special training in 1984 after his 100^th special training.

: First Midwest summer special training in Champaign, IL, 1975

1976

David Altman began practice under Jon Beltram at St. Ann’s Church.

Jon attended the first godan examination held at Melrose Dojo in Los Angeles.

: 1976 Jon Beltram (just right of table) observes Sada Honda resuscitate Caylor Adkins during 1st godan test at Melrose Dojo

1977

Mr. Ohshima awarded Jon Beltram and Jim Kaplafka yodan during a grading at St. Ann’s Church.

Midwest summer special training at Wentworth Military Academy.

: 1977 group at St Ann’s dojo

: 1977 Midwest summer special training at Wentworth Military Academy

1978

University of Kansas Dojo founded by David Lightner, nidan.

: 1978 group at St. Ann’s church dojo

: 1978 Midwest summer special training June 23-26 Lexington, MO

1980

Carl Johnson began practice with another group.

1982

1982 Group at St. Ann’s: David Lightner, Earl Rand, David A. Mills, Jon Beltram, Greg Barstow, Dan Lobmire, Donnie Duncan

: 1982 Jon Beltram breaking

: 1982 David Lightner, Earl Rand, David A Mills, Jon Beltram, Greg Barstow, Dan Lobmire, Donnie Duncan

1984

KC dojo moved from St. Ann’s Church to the Shawnee Community Center.

Midwest summer special training at the University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana was led by Jon Beltram, the first Midwest special training not led by Mr. Ohshima.

Mike Lyon began practice under Jon Beltram.

: 1984, Shawnee Community Center group (front) Donnie Duncan, Jon Beltram, Greg Barstow, Lynn Durbin. Back row: John Bixby, Terry Murphy, unidentified, Andy Brown, Carl Johnson

1985

: 1985 Summer special training Champaign led by Jon Beltram

1986

KC dojo moved from Shawnee Community Center to Beller’s Dance Studio.

Jon Beltram and Jim Kaplafka elected to SKA board of directors.

KC dojo moved from Beller’s to Susie Brown’s Body Trends where it would remain until 1996.

First Midwest spring special training held in Kansas City led by Jon Beltram.

The Midwest Region sent Carl Johnson, shodan, to compete at Nisei Week Tournament.

: 1986 group outside Susie Brown’s Body Trends dojo

1988

Mr. Ohshima visited KC in May for a fantastic weekend of practices at Susie Brown’s Body Trends and parties. Ohshima Sensei agreed to allow Beltram, Lightner, Lyon to produce and market several video productions of practices and three videos were produced.

Mr. Ohshima appointed Mike Lyon as the KC Dojo manager. After summer special training, Mr. Ohshima appointed Mike Lyon as SKA Midwest Regional Manager..

Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) Dojo founded by Mike Lyon, shodan.

Mike Lyon was awarded 1988 Midwest Member of the Year.

: 1988 banquet Jon Beltram, Tsutomu Ohshima, Jim Kaplafka

: 1988 Ohshima Sensei demonstrates good posture with David A Mills

: 1988 Ohshima Sensei corrects Rod Porter

: 1988 group from practice with Ohshima Sensei at Susie Brown’s Body Trends

: 1988 at Jun’s restaurant with Jim Kaplafka, Tsutomu Ohshima, Jon Beltram, Guy Richardson, Alan Hoffman, Dan Lobmire, Mike Lyon, Patty Richardson, John Rogers, Rod Porter, Larry Burmaster

1989

First annual Nisei Week preliminary tournament held to choose competitors. Kelly Rudolph, Donnie Duncan, Carl Johnson, and David Lightner were selected.

Mike Lyon fought for the East Coast team at Nisei Week and took 2^nd place.

John Rogers, nidan, founded South Kansas City Dojo.

Jon Beltram, EdD, awarded Doctor of Education from U of KS.

: East Coast team wins medal at Nisei Week, 1989 (Matt Miao, Andrew Hahn, Mike Lyon, Chris Hale, Yuan Tsur)

: Mike Schuler, Jon Beltram, Dom Pizoli

: 1989 Carl Johnson (right) at Nisei Week made the July / August cover of Shotokan News

1990

Mr. Ohshima visited for another weekend of practices at Longview CC and Susie Brown’s Body Trends.

George Boje, nidan, founded Merriam Dojo.

Jon Beltram, Donnie Duncan, Carl Johnson, Patty Richardson, Mike Lyon, David Lightner, David Altman attended Harmony 1990, the first Worldwide Shotokan gathering at UCSB in Santa Barbara, CA. Donnie Duncan tested for yodan but did not pass.

: 1990 Midwest spering special training

: 1990 Group dinner during Mr. Ohshima’s visit

: 1990 Midwest summer special training

: Carl Johnson competes against a French team member at Harmony 1990

: Carl Johnson with Jon Beltram at Harmony, 1990

: 1990 group at Susie Brown’s

: David Altman proves who’s the toughest guy on Venice Beach

: Mike Lyon, Jon Beltram, Donnie Duncan, David Altman, 1995

: 1990 Kelly Rudolph, Carl Johnson, Greg Oliver, Donnie Duncan, Jon Beltram after practice at Susie Brown’s Body Trends

1991

John Rogers and Andy Brown founded Ford Claycomo Dojo.

Carl Johnson was awarded Midwest Member of the Year.

Donny Duncan passed yodan, the first of Jon’s students to attain the rank.

At annual Midwest Tournament in Chicago, Carl Johnson placed 1^st in jiyū-kumite and Mike Lyon placed 1^st in kata.

Mr. Ohshima led a tour of Japan. David Lightner, Carl Johnson, and Mike Lyon attended. Mr. Ohshima chose Carl Johnson to compete in kumite and David Lightner and Mike Lyon to demonstrate jiyū-ippon gummite at Waseda University 60^th Anniversary.

: 1991 Chicago tournament: kata competition judged by Jon Beltram, Sada Honda, Dom Pizoli

: 1991 Johnson, Lightner, Lyon with others in Japan

: Waseda Karate Club 60th Anniversary tournament, Tokyo, 1991

: Carl Johnson, Mike Lyon, David Lightner with Yasunori Ono, Tsutomu Ohshima, Greg Scott, and Don DePree in Tokyo, 1991

1992

Don DePree, godan, SKA Executive Vice President, led a weekend of fantastic practices.

Sada Honda, godan, BBC President, led a weekend of practices.

: 1992 Don DePree with Jon Beltram at Susie Brown’s

: 1992 Don DePree led practice at Susie Brown’s

: 1992 Don DePree led practice at Longview College

: 1992 Mr Ohshima demonstrates fumikomi with Mike Lyon at La Cienega Dojo in August

1993

John Teramoto, godan, BBC vice president began teaching at KU and made regular visits to KC Dojo to lead practices.

Beltram’s Bad Boys made another trip to Cozumel – diving, drinking, dancing.

Basehor dojo founded by Greg Barstow, sandan.

: 1993 02 26 karate-ka at Linda and Mike Lyon’s wedding

: 1993 Midwest spring special training

: 1993 lunch at Nona’s Deli Rick Lagud, Kelly Rudolph, Donnie Duncan, Jon Beltram, Carl Johnson, David Lightner

: 1993 KC group attended winter special training in Pittsburgh: Sada Honda surrounded by David Lightner, Mark Stockton, Greg Barstow, David Altman, Ed Swob, Andy Brown, Mike Lyon

1994

AT&T Dojo founded by Mike Lyon, sandan.

University of Nebraska Dojo founded by David Altman, sandan.

: 1994 Spring special training in Kansas City

: 1994 Midwest winter special training at Pembroke Andy Brown, Jon Beltram, David Altman

1995

Jon Beltram led exchange practices at UNL Dojo.

Jon Beltram led his 50^th special training and announced his retirement from special training leadership (though he’d attend several more).

: 1995 Spring special training in KC

: 1995 Midwest spring special training

: Andy Brown, David Altman, Jon Beltram, Greg Barstow at UNL dojo 1995

: Jon Beltram’s 50th special training, June, 1995

: 1995 Pittsburgh winter specail training

: 1995 Pittsburgh winter specail training David Altman, Sada Honda

1996

Basehor dojo moved to the Kansas City Club led by Andy Brown.

KC Dojo moved to Cultural Arts Center, Prairie Village.

: Donnie Duncan led his first special training in Kansas City, March, 1996

: AT&T dojo, 1996

: KCAI dojo, Fall 1996

: 1996 KCAI group photo for KC 30th Anniversary

: 1996 Midwest summer special training at U of IL with Sada Honda

Kansas City Dojo celebrated its 30th Anniversary in October 1996. A commemorative album was published by Mike Lyon, David Altman, and Val Barnett with contributions from many members. Approximately 90 members came together for a weekend of practices led by Ohshima Sensei.

: October 12 – 13, 1996 30th Anniversary of Kansas City Shotokan Karate Club practice led by Tsutomu Ohshima

: 1996 KC 30th Anniversary Album cover

: 1996 KC 30th black belt dinner Jim Kaplafka, John Teramoto, Tsutomu Ohshima, Jon Beltram

: 1996 30th Anniversary of KC Dojo Jon Beltram, Shoji Okabe, Tsutomu Ohshima, Jim Kaplafka

: 1996 Boulder dojo visits Ohshima Sensei at KC 30th Anniversary

: 1996 Ron Wafer, Shoji Okabe, John Teramoto at KCAI during KC’s 30th Anniversary

: 1996 KC Dojo 30th Anniversary party at Pat & Andy Brown’s

: 1996 Jon accepts Ohshima Sensei’s calligraphy, “Look Strongly at the Bottom of Your Mind”

1997

Daniel Chemla led a fantastic practice at the Kansas City Art Institute, followed by our traditional meal at Bo Ling’s Chinese Restaurant.

David Altman was awarded Midwest Member of the Year.

: 1997 Spring special training at Barstow School led by Donnie Duncan

: 1997 Beltram’s Bad Boys in Cozumel Donnie Duncan, Carl Johnson, David Lightner, Tom Barnett, Jon Beltram, Mike Lyon, Andy Brown, Greg Oliver

: 1997 Daniel Chemla leads Heian Sandan

: 1997 Daniel Chemla kokutsu

: 1997 Daniel Chemla with his son, Yan

: 1997 Daniel Chemla with group after practice

: 1997 Jon Beltram demonstrates byobu-daoshi assisted by Carl Johnson

1998

Mr. Ohshima visited Kansas City to celebrate the grand opening of the new dojo at 2026 Broadway in downtown Kansas City. Just before the final mokuso, he patted his tanden and told us, “Your mind here, your breathing here, your practice here, your life here.” After mokuso, he asked us to polish the floor the way we’d like to polish our minds.

: 1998 Midwest spring special training Mar 13-15 Barstow School led by Dom Pizoli

: 1998 Alejandro Isaza, Alex Shurin, Yasunori Ono, David Altman, and James Perrin during 7-day special training in Santa Barbara

: 1998 Three practices led by godans Caylor Adkins, Sada Honda, and Jon Beltram

: 1998 Midwest fall special training led by David Altman Oct 2-4

: 1998 Jim Kaplafka, John Teramoto, Tsutomu Ohshima, Jon Beltram and group at the grand opening of the new Broadway KC Dojo

: 1998 Donnie Duncan, Jim Kaplafka, Eric Manuel at grand opening of new dojo

: 1998 Mr. Ohshima, Jon Beltram, Mike Lyon enjoy apple juice in the new Teramoto Tea Room after grand opening practice (photo: Keith Kohrs)

1999

Kansas City Shotokan Karate Club was awarded Midwest Dojo of the Year.

Mike Lyon was awarded Midwest Member of the Year.

: 1999 New Year’s Day after 2500 oizuki practice

: 1999 David Altman, Carl Johnson, Mike Lyon during first special training in new dojo

: 1999 1st special training at new KC dojo led by Donnie Duncan

: 1999 Donnie Duncan mokuso during spring special training Kansas City

: 1999 Lyon’s juniors from AT&T, KCAI, and KC morning group who attended special training

: 1999, Carl Johnson, David Gabai, Greg Oliver, David Altman, Mike Lyon

: 1999 we polish the floor like we polish our mind in new Kansas City dojo

: 1999 Donnie Duncan oizuki

: 1999 Midwest summer special training at U of IL

: 1999 Jim Sagawa inspects Shotokan Ohshima Dojo under construction

: 1999 Mr. Ohshima’s dining room during SOD construction: Dom Pizoli, Mr. Ohshima, Jim Sagawa

: 1999 David Altman led Midwest fall special training in Dekalb, IL

: 1999 Longview party: Mike and Susan Gall, Paolo Flores, Matt Chatfield, unidentified, Eric Manuel, unidentified, Nancy Aguirre, Jeremy East

2000

The Grand Opening Celebration of Shotokan Ohshima Dojo was the big event of the year. Jon Beltram passed godan. David Altman tested for yodan. In autumn, Carl Johnson passed yodan in Montreal with his uke, Jeremy East.

Jon Beltram, godan, was awarded 2000 Midwest Member of the Year.

: 2000 Spring special training led by Donnie Duncan

: 2000 Ohshima Sensei leads hundreds of members during Grand Opening celebration

: 2000 Dom Pizoli, Jon Beltram vital points

: 2000 Godan test: resuscitation (Dom Pizoli, uke)

: 2000 Godan test: Jon demonstrates Heian Shodan

: 2000 Jon Beltram demonstrates Iai

: 2000 Jon Beltram demonstrates Iai

: 2000 Yodan test after Jion kata, Mr. Ohshima asked David Altman, “Did you make a mistake in your kata?” David replied, “Yes, I think I did…”

: 2000 Midwest summer special training Champaign led by Dom Pizoli

: 2000 Midwest special training in Dekalb Oct 13-15 led by Michael Schuler

: 2000 November Carl Johnson passed yodan during a Montreal, Canada grading (with Jeremy East, uke)

: 2000 AT&T group presents Jon Beltram with a photo by Mike Lyon of Jon’s kata during his godan test

2001

David Altman passed yodan at Cate School (Mike Lyon, uke).

: 2001 07 Longview group

: 2001 Midwest spring special training – first one led by Mike Lyon

: 2001 Jon Beltram visited with Doug Overton and others after spring special training

: 2001 Midwest summer special training in Champaign – first one led by Carl Johnson

: 2001 Sandans Tom Blascho, Pam Logan, Mike Lyon at Valley Dojo practicing yodan curriculum

2002

: 2002 Mike Lyon introduced practice to a Jan-term group from Pembroke Hill School

: 2002 Midwest spring special training Mar 15-17, the first special training led by Greg Oliver

: 2002 three godans practice Jon Beltram, Sada Honda, Caylor Adkins

: 2002 Three godans practices – group photo

: 2002 Midwest summer special training led by yodan David Altman

: 2002 Midwest fall special training led by nidan Doug Overton in Dekalb, IL

2003

Mike Lyon was awarded 2003 SKA National Member of the Year.

: 2003 Midwest spring special training led by David Altman

: 2003 First Midwest summer special training at Missouri Western State University led by Mike Lyon

: 2003 Andy Brown and Jon Beltram sing karaoke

: 2003 Mike Lyon passed yodan (David Altman, uke)

2004

: 2004 Midwest spring special training led by Greg Oliver

: 2004 Midwest summer special training Jun 2-6 in St. Joe led by Carl Johnson

: 2004 Longview dojo summer 2004

: 2004 Midwest fall special training DeKalb Oct 8-10 led by David Altman

2005

: 2005 Midwest fall special training in DeKalb Nov 4-6 led by Greg Oliver

: 2005 Midwest spring special training Mar 11-13 at KC Dojo led by Mike Lyon

: 2005 Midwest summer special training Jun 1-5 in St. Joe led by David Altman

2006

: 2006 Senior practice: Sarah Oliver, Mike Lyon, Dom Pizoli, Caylor Adkins, Sada Honda, Jon Beltram, Carl Johnson, Greg Barstow, Greg Oliver, Robert Leonard

: 2006 Midwest summer special training June 7-11 in St. Joe led by Mike Lyon

: 2006 Midwest winter special training in DeKalb Nov 3-5 led by David Altman

2007

SKA President Ron Thom visited Kansas City and led a practice April 27, 2007.

: 2007 Midwest spring special training in KC March 16-18 led by Greg Oliver

: 2007 Midwest summer special training June 6-10 in St. Joe led by Carl Johnson

2008

Mike Lyon was awarded 2008 SKA National Member of the Year.

: 2008 Midwest spring special training in KC March 14-16 first one led by Sarah Oliver

: 2008 Midwest summer special training June 4-8 in St. Joe led by Greg Oliver

2009

: 2009 Jan 30-Feb 1 winter special training in KC led by Mike Lyon

: 2009 Midwest summer special training June 3-7 in St. Joe led by Bobby Bird

2010

: 2010 Midwest spring special training March 19-21 led by Greg Oliver

: 2010 April 18 kyu test group photo

: 2010 November kyu test

: 2010 Midwest summer special training Jun 2-6 in St. Joe led by David Altman

2011

UNL awarded 2011 Midwest Dojo of the Year.

: 2011 Midwest winter special training October 28-30 led by Sarah Oliver

: 2011 Lien Phan and Quang Nguyen kyu test

: 2011 Midwest summer special training June 1-5 in St. Joe led by Mike Lyon

2012

: 2012 Midwest summer special training June 6-10 in St. Joe led by David Altman

: 2012 Minnesota exchange practice led by Mike Lyon in August

: 2012 Midwest winter special training Oct 26-28 led by David Altman

: 2012 Chase Scroggins and Dinh Hoang make kumite during November kyu test

: 2012 Mike Bedinger announces start of kyu test

2013

David Altman was awarded 2013 Midwest Member of the Year, and UNL was awarded 2013 Midwest Dojo of the year.

: 2013 KC exchange practice March 2

: 2013 KC exchange practice March 2

: 2013 KC exchange practice March 2

: 2013 Midwest summer special training June 12-16 St. Joe led by Bobby Bird

: 2013 Dan test

: 2013 Dan test congratulations

: 2013 Dan test

: 2013 November kyu test – Mike Bedinger gets candidates lined up and ready

: 2013 November kyu test

: 2013 November kyu test

: 2013 November kyu test

: 2013 Mike Bedinger with Nancy Aguirre

: 2013 Carl Johnson offers suggestions to Sanjukta

: 2013 Midwest winter special training Oct 18-20 led by Mike Lyon

2014

: 2014 Midwest winter special training Indianapolis Jan 17-19 led by David Altman

: 2014 Mike Bedinger announces April kyu test

: 2014 after strong practice, kyu test begins

: 2014 Mike Bedinger referees sanbon gumite during April kyu test

: 2014 Roland Schwichtenberg and Kenny Richardson

: 2014 Roland Schwichtenberg and Kenny Richardson

: 2014 Kyu test grading table: Carl Johnson, Jon Beltram, David Altman, Mike Lyon

: 2014 Jon Beltram signs kyu certificates

: 2014 Quang Nguyen, Lien Phan, David Altman after April kyu test

: 2014 Traditional meal after kyu test at Lulu’s Thai Noodles

: 2014 Midwest summer special training in St. Joseph May 28-June 1 led by John Teramoto

France Shotokan celebrated its 50^th Anniversary July 11-13, 2014 in Saint-Lô and Cherbourg, Normandie, France. The celebration included practices led by Ohshima Sensei, dinners and parties, an international tournament, and a godan test. David Altman was invited to test. Many of his juniors travelled to France, enjoyed the celebration, and were thrilled to hear David’s name among those who passed to godan.

: France Shotokan celebrated its 50th Anniversary July 11-13, 2014 in Saint-Lô and Cherbourg, Normandie, France.

: 2014 Pred Paul, Quang Nguyen, Mike Lyon, Lien Phan, David Altman, Greg Tunink

: 2014 Ohshima Sensei led a huge group of more than 600 of his black belts

: 2014 Quang Nguyen, Greg Tunink, Lien Phan clowning at France 50th

: 2014 Banquet during France 50th Anniversary

: 2014 France 50th Anniversary practice group

: 2014 International tournament gets underway

: 2014 Godan test grading table

: 2014 David Altman vital points (Mike Lyon, uke)

: Ohshima Sensei read the names of the new godans

: 2014 Mike Lyon congratulates David Altman

: 2014 Midwest members at France 50th Anniversary with David Atlman,

UNL Dojo celebrated its 20th Anniversary September 13-14, 2014

: 2014 20th Anniversary celebration of David Altman’s UNL Dojo September 13-14

: 2014 Lien Phan with the album she and Quang and Brad Kindler created for the 50 in attendance

: 2014 UNL 20th Anniversary practices led by John Teramoto and David Altman

: 2014 David Altman leads stretching

2014 November kyu test in Kansas City

: 2014 November kyu test – Colonel Mike Bedinger at KC Dojo

: 2014 Chase Scroggins’ dramatic yoko-geri

: 2014 Seniors agree on new ranks: Carl Johnson, Jon Beltram, David Altman, Mike Lyon

: 2014 November kyu test group

: 2014 Mike Bedinger and Nancy Aguirre present candidates for kyu grading before test

2015

In February, SKA President, Ron Thom led practice in Kansas City.

: 2015 Midwest winter special training in Indianapolis Jan 16-18 led by John Wood

: 2015 Mike Bedinger gets candidates in order at the start of April kyu test in KC

: 2015 April kyu test begins after a very intense practice led by Jon Beltram

: 2015 Nidan Thomas Ngundo pushes hard in practice before kyu test

: 2015 Jon Beltram congratulates Chase Scroggins

: 2015 Spring kyu test after-party at Linda and Mike Lyon’s home

: 2015 Midwest summer special training in St Joseph led by James Uyeda

: 2015 Jon Beltram and Midwest group after dan test

: 2015 Yoko-geri during November kyu test

: 2015 Becca’s Yoko-geri

: 2015 Jon explains results and offers direction

: 2015 November kyu test group

: 2015 While visiting relatives, Carl Johnson led practice in Minneapolis

2016

: 2016 Boulder exchange practice with Daryl James, Mark Wilson, Mike Lyon at Mark’s home dojo in Boulder

: 2016 Carl Johnson, Jon Beltram, Mike Lyon, David Altman, Rick Solomon during one of Rick’s several visits to KC for sandan preparation

: 2016 Group after spring kyu test

: 2016 Midwest summer special training May 25-29 St. Joseph led by Bobby Bird

Jon Beltram, David Altman, Carl Johnson, Mike Lyon, Mike Bedinger, Thomas Ngundo, Julia Makiejus, and Ken Richardson joined more than 700 others to celebrate the 60^th Anniversary of SKA at Shotokan Ohshima Dojo near Santa Barbara, California.

: 2016 Ohshima Sensei led a huge practice at SOD

: 2016 Ohshima Sensei led a huge practice at SOD

: 2016 SKA 60th Anniversary. Mike Bedinger on the lawn watching the international tournament and godan test

: 2016 SKA 60th Anniversary. Linda Bryant, Thomas Ngundo, Julia Makiejus. on the lawn watching the international tournament and godan test

: 2016 SKA 60th Anniversary Ken Richardson on the lawn watching the international tournament and godan test

: 2016 Ohshima Sensei and godans lead testing

: 2016 Ohshima Sensei lectures candidates after the test

: 2016 Carl Johnson, Amira Bar Shalom, David Altman enjoy the party

: 2016 60th Anniversary Celebration chairman, Bruce Kanegai with Mike Bedinger, Jon Beltram, Mike Lyon, Ron Wafer, and Carl Johnson

Lien Phan and Quang Nguyen were awarded 2016 Midwest Member of the Year. Kansas City Shotokan Karate Club was awarded 2016 SKA National Dojo of the Year. Mike Lyon was awarded 2016 SKA National Member of the Year.