SKA and BBC Emeritus President Ron Thom will lead practices at the Kansas City dojo March 22-23, 2025.

Ron Thom is emeritus president of both SKA and the BBC. Born in 1948, Ron began karate practice with Ohshima Sensei in 1966. He and Jon Beltram were among the five SKA members to compete at the 1970 World Karate Championship in Japan in 1970. Ron passed to godan in 1990. A retired marine biologist, Dr. Thom conducted research in coastal and estuarine ecosystems. Learn more.

Ron led a Zoom practice of Empi in 2020 https://news.ska.org/2020/ron-thom-empi/

Practices are open to members in good standing of SKA. All levels are welcome and encouraged to attend. It may be possible to arrange lodging with local members, but there are also many hotels in downtown Kansas City and in the Crossroads Arts District not far from the dojo.

Ron’s flight will arrive Friday afternoon, he’ll stay with Mike and Linda Lyon, then fly out on Monday afternoon.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (check back in March)

Saturday March 22

• 9:30 to 11:30 am practice led by Ron Thom
• 11:30 am to 2:00 pm lunch (probably on your own)
• 2:00 to 4:00 pm practice led by Ron Thom
• 6:30 pm to ?? pot luck dinner at Lyon’s home open to all members

Sunday March 23

• 9:00 to 11:00 am practice led by Ron Thom
• 12:00 pm lunch at Bo Ling’s Chinese on the Plaza for those who can stay