Georgia Karate Academy Inc., Instructors and American JKA - I Executive Committee

David Gomez,
Senior Instructor, Georgia Karate Academy, Inc.

Adjunct Karate and Self-defense Instructor,
Gainesville State College, Oconee Campus

AJKA International - Executive Committee Member,
Media & Communications Advisor

David Gomez, 4th Dan, is the senior instructor at the Georgia Karate Academy, Inc., in Watkinsville, Georgia, and an adjunct karate and self-defense instructor at Gainesville State College, Oconee Campus, of the Georgia State University system. He has practiced traditional JKA-style Shotokan karate over 29 years (since 1978) and has trained under several highly respected JKA-style instructors. Well known for his quality of teaching, he is also an accomplished graphic artist, media and communications advisor for the AJKA - International, author, multimedia producer, and publisher who primarily uses his talents to create karate-related educational books and multimedia.

You can reach David Gomez at dgomez@georgiakarateacademy.com


Executive Committe
American JKA Karate Association - International

Leslie Safar, 9th Dan
AJKA - International, Co-Founder & Technical Director

Leslie Safar, AJKA co-ounder and Technical Director, presently divides his time between teaching in Europe, where he serves as Technical Director for the Hungarian Karate Federation, and the United States. He is known on both sides of the Atlantic for his intense focus on the core technical principles of Shotokan Karate, and the development of instructor training programs dedicated to building the total instructor.

Visit http://americanjka.org/ to find out more about the AJKA in Hungary and Europe, or write Sensei Safar directly at: safar.laszlo@americanjka.org to contact him.

Edmond Otis, 7th Dan
AJKA - International, Chief Instructor and Chairman

Edmond Otis, AJKA Chairman and Chief Instructor, is director of Martial Art Studies at the University of California, Riverside (www.karate.ucr.edu), and is internationally known as a competitor, instructor, coach, and judge. He has practiced Shotokan karate since 1967. Otis is acclaimed for his innovative and dynamic teaching style, and is considered by many to be one of the premier karate instructors of his generation. He has trained numerous individuals and teams to national and international championships, and travels extensively for the AJKA, conducting seminars that focus on all aspects of karate practice. You can reach him directly at: Otis@AmericanJKA.com
Randall Hassell, 8th Dan
AJKA - International, Co-Founder President


Randall Hassell, AJKA co-founder and President, is a world-renowned author and martial arts scholar who began training in 1960. He has written over two dozen books and 100 articles on the history, training and philosophy of traditional karate, and brings to our association a world of experience and wisdom. Hassell is Chief Instructor of the American Shotokan Karate Alliance (ASKA) and
Senior Editor of Tamashii Press, a book publishing and video production company in St. Louis. Located in Missouri, Sensei Hassell can be reached at rhassell@ShotokanCentral.com.
Nick Palise, 6th Dan
AJKA - International, Senior Advisor

Nick Palise, AJKA Senior National Advisor, has practiced JKA style Shotokan karate since 1965, and is founder and president of the Michigan Karate Association. His experience and deep knowledge of the technical, financial and organizational aspects of traditional karate practice allows him to serve a unique role as mentor and advisor to AJKA instructors, clubs and senior black-belts. Located in Michigan, Sensei Palise can be reached at mkamich@comcast.net.
Avi Azoulay, 6th Dan
AJKA - International, Technical Committee

Avi Azoulay has practiced Shotokan karate since 1972. A respected instructor in Israel, he championed the Israel Open Karate Championships 2 consecutive years in a row. Azoulay moved to the United States in 1985 and began teaching and competing. In 1987 he established the American JKA of New York, where he teaches today, and in 1989 won 2 silver medals at World Maccabiah. Azoulay is known for high technical level and his understanding of all aspects of Shotokan karate. Sensei Azoulay can be reached directly at azoulay5@optonline.net.
Tony Desardi, 6th Dan
AJKA - International, Technical Committee

Tony Desardi, with over 30 years of training, has devoted a lifetime to Karate. His extensive experience as a successful international competitor, former national champion, and coach, in addition to decades of teaching and leadership experience have made him a highly respected member of the international Karate community. Located in Illinois, Sensei DeSardi can be reached at midwestshotokan@aol.com.
Robert Myles, 5th Dan
AJKA - International, Technical Committee

Robert Myles, AJKA National Technical Committee, has over 25 years of traditional martial-arts experience. In addition to being known for his excellent technique and explosive kicking abilities, he is also a world renowned orthopedic spine surgeon. Sensei Myles combines his thorough understanding of classic shotokan principles with his in depth knowledge of body dynamics and mechanics to create a unique martial arts resource for the AJKA. Located in Texas, Sensei Myles can be reached at myles@AmericanJKA.com.
David Gomez, 4th Dan
AJKA - International, Media & Communications Advisor


David Gomez is the Senior Instructor at the Georgia Karate Academy, Inc., in Watkinsville, Georgia, and an Adjunct Karate Instructor at Gainesville State College, Oconee Campus, of the Georgia State University system. He has practiced traditional JKA-style Shotokan karate over 27 years (since 1978) and has trained under several highly respected JKA-style instructors. Well known for his quality of teaching, he is also an accomplished graphic artist, media and communications advisor for the AJKA - International, author, multimedia producer, and publisher who primarily uses his talents to create karate-related educational books and multimedia.

You can reach David Gomez at gka2@bellsouth.net

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