Mr. Bennett

- Expo Blackbelt Grand Champion
- Harmony World Blackbelt Champion
- U.S.A. Team Captain
- Winner of over fifteen hundred awards
- Over thirty-five years of experience
- Direct student of Master T. Ohshima

     SKA, the oldest karate organization in the United States, has introduced the culture of Japan and the study of one of its ancient arts to thousands of people around the world.

     Karate's origins reach back 1500 years to ancient China and India, but its immediate predecessor evolved in Okinawa as a martial art deeply imbued with philisophical principles. In 1922, Gichin Funakoshi, the "Father of Modern Karate," was chosen by his colleagues and Okinawan government officials to demonstrate this martial art in mainland Japan. Master Funakoshi stressed its practice as a path toward physical and spiritual development. In response to the enthusiastic reception, Master Funakoshi devoted himself until his death in 1957 to teaching karate-do, or the way of karate, primarily in universities throughout Japan. Derived from Master's artist name, Shoto, his students became known as members of Shotokan, or House of Shoto.

     Mr. Tsutomu Ohshima, one of Master Funakoshi's last direct pupils, began to teach karate-do in Southern California in 1955, becoming the first person to do so in the United States. The following year, he founded what has become Shotokan Karate of America, a non-profit, non-commercial national association with international affiliates. Its mission is to promote the traditional practice of karate-do as taught by Master Funakoshi. All black belt members of SKA must receive their rank directly from Mr. Ohshima, ensuring that the lineage and integrity of Master Funakoshi's teachings is preserved and perpetuated.

For more information on Shotokan Karate of America visit:
www.ska.org