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ISKF INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS
President
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The Honourable Judge Paul Ribner, 5th Dan (Honourary)
Judge Paul Ribner has been President of the ISKF since its inception. A student of Master Okazaki, he has been involved in karate for 44 years. He is a devoted supporter of Master Okazaki and the ISKF’s policies. Judge Ribner is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Before his retirement from the bench, he sat in the Court of Common Pleas.
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Vice President
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Lance Astrella, Esq. 6th Dan
Mr. Lance Astrella has been a student of Master Yaguchi for 30 years. Mr. Astrella is a noted trial lawyer specializing in the field of energy and natural resources. In 2007, he was named one of Colorado’s “Super Lawyers.” Mr. Astrella was educated at California State University at Chico, the University of California at Davis, and the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific. He holds Bachelor Degrees in Chemistry and Economics, a Masters Degree in Economics, and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence.
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Chairman
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Teruyuki Okazaki, 10th Dan
A true North American karate pioneer, Master Okazaki was one of the top instructors the JKA sent out to spread karate outside Japan. Master Okazaki entered Takushoku University at the age of 16. He studied under Gichin Funakoshi, the father of modern karate and Masatoshi Nakayama, the late chief instructor of the JKA who was Master Funakoshi’s assistant.
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Vice Chairman
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Yutaka Yaguchi, 9th Dan
Master Yutaka Yaguchi studied under Masatoshi Nakayama, the late chief instructor of the JKA, Motokuni Sugiura, the present chief instructor of the JKA, and Teruyuki Okazaki, chief instructor of the ISKF, and received his shodan and nidan from Master Funakoshi himself. Among the first to graduate from the JKA Instructors Program, he trained with and competed against the likes of Hirokazu Kanazawa, Takayuki Mikami, Katsunori Tsuyama, Hiroshi Shoji, Keinosuke Enoeda, and Tetsuhiko Asai. |
Technical Directors
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Frank Woon-A-Tai, 8th Dan
Frank Woon-A-Tai, 8th Dan, is Chairman and Technical Director of ISKF Canada, co-vice Chairman of the ISKF Technical Committee, and President of the Caribbean Karate College. Master Woon-A-Tai is the founder and chief instructor of Guyana JKA, which he established in 1968. He served as chief instructor of Jamaica JKA from 1976 to 1980.
He founded the Toronto JKA in 1981, and is presently Chairman and Chief Instructor of ISKF Ontario. Although his personal teacher is Master Okazaki, he trained under Masters Yaguchi, Nakayama, and Nishiyama – all JKA legends. He holds a B.A., in Japanese Studies from the University of Toronto and is the first Canadian graduate of the JKA/ISKF Instructor Training Institute. He is a former Pan American kata champion.
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James Field, 8th Dan
Born in Sandy Bay, Jamaica, James Field began his karate training in 1964. He trained primarily under Master Yaguchi, Master Nishiyama, and Master Nakayama. A very successful competitor for many years, he captained the US International Karate Team, was many times National Collegiate Champion, two-time National Grand Champion, two-time Pan American Champion, US Representative to the Olympic Games in Mexico and medalist in the 1976 World Tournament. As one of the first four Americans certified as JKA Instructors, Sensei Field has coached at several universities in Southern California, including USC, UCLA, Cal State LA, Cal State San Diego, Cal State Santa Barbara, and Santa Monica College. He opened his own dojo, JKA Santa Monica, in 1972.
Mr. Field, a 8th degree black belt, is currently the Co-Vice-Chairman of the ISKF Technical Committee (along with Mr. Woon-A-Tai), as well as the Director and Chief Instructor of the ISKF US Southwest Region headquartered at his dojo in Santa Monica, CA. He holds a BS degree in Recreation Rehabilitation.
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SECRETARY
TREASURER
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