TKC INSTRUCTORS

Michael Buttermark

IKGA-License Sensei - IKGA Title/License: Renshi Shihan - IKGA Godan  

Traditional Karate Center founder and Master Instructor, Michael Buttermark, was born in New York City in 1966 and began his karate instruction as a teenager in 1982 to become more self-disciplined and to avoid the negative allure of life in NYC 'streets'.

2023 marks his 41th consecutive year studying Gojuryu Karatedo.

Through intensive study, he earned a 2nd degree Black Belt in 5 years.  After hearing scores of dojo stories, he was driven to learn from Japanese karatedo masters.  He enlisted in the US Air Force with hopes of living in Japan; 2 years later, that dream became reality.  He arrived in Tokyo in September 1987 and departed April 1991 taking great memories, a wealth of knowledge, and a new family - the IKGA..  

From 1987 forward, Buttermark-Shihan's karatedo education and experience ascended to high levels.  This was possible thanks to his studying under some of the world's most knowledgeable/talented karatedo instructors beginning with the International Karatedo Gojukai Association.  

Thanks to the information and inspiration derived from IKGA leaders, Buttermark Shihan was able to win numerous top honors in national and international competitions.

Buttermark-Shihan's competition accolades are:

• Inducted in USA Karate Hall of Fame 2022
• World Championships - Kata Silver & Kumite Bronze
• International Championships - 2 Gold; 1 Silver; 1 Bronze
• Continental Championships - North American Cup on Team USA - Bronze in Kumite
• National Championships - 4 Gold; 1 Silver; 2 Bronze
• Military Championships - 4 Gold; 1 Silver; 1 Bronze

Education:

• IKGA Certified 5th Degree Black Belt Rank - Godan.  Member of International Karatedo Gojukai Association since 1987. Goju-ryu karatedo student since 1982.
• Associates of Arts - College of Staten Island (CUNY)
• Moore Catholic High School
• US Air Force - Honorable Discharge; E4/Sergeant/NCO

Affiliations and Certifications:

• IKGA Master License - Renshi Shihan
• IKGA Instructor License
• IKGA Certified School - Traditional Karate Center - Matawan Gojukan

Torsten Johnson 

IKGA-Licensed Sensei - Sandan - Shidoin

TJ-sensei has been continuously training and involved in Gojuryu Karatedo since 1995 (28+ YEARS). His rank & credentials are all from IKGA  Hombu in Tokyo, Japan.

TJ-Sensei is a TKC senior instructor who works with students of all ages and levels in our IKGA program.

For the USA-National Karate Federation, He has been both a competitor and a licensed official judge/referee.  He has earned national level licenses: A-Kumite   Referee & B-Kata Judge. He has won national titles in both kata & kumite.

TJ-Sensei competed and/or officiated at several IKGA World Championships:

• 1997 - Sao Paulo, Brazil: competitor 
• 2001 - Perth, Australia: Kata & Kumite   Judge
• 2005 - Rotterdam, Holland: Kata & Kumite Judge
• 2013 – Mumbai,   India: Kata & Kumite Judge/Referee.

TJ-Sensei is a father and grandfather and brings that wisdom, compassion and  understanding into his style of teaching students.  His granddaughter represents our first 3rd generation student at TKC!

Affiliations and   Certifications:

• IKGA Sandan 
• IKGA Instructor License
• IKGA Title of Shodoin

Services Provided:

• Instruction of IKGA karatedo
• Specialized instruction about Olympic/WKF rules of competition

Konstantin Ozerinsky, MD 

IKGA-Licensed Sensei - IKGA Sandan - Shidoin

Konstantin-Sensei has been continuously involved in Gojuryu Karatedo since 1999 (24 years). His rank & credentials are from IKGA Hombu in Tokyo, Japan.

Konstantin-Sensei is a senior TKC instructor and a role model for our students based on his incredible work ethic and attention to details. He achieves great success with all age groups and in one-to-one instruction. 

He has worked wonderfully with our elite athletes prepping them for nationals and coached them successfully as well. 

He is a very humble man preferring to focus on his life-long pursuit of karatedo development and training rather than boldly focusing on his own competitive karate. Although, on one occasion that we convinced him to compete, he became the New York State champion!

In 2008 & 2012, he attended and participated in the IKGA North American Block's Technical Training Camps in Vancouver and Calgary Canada respectively.

Education:

• Doctor of Medicine - Drexel School of Medicine - Philadelphia, PA
• BS in Bio-Medical Engineering - TCNJ
• Stuyvesant High School - Manhattan, NY

Affiliations and Certifications:

• IKGA Sandan rank
• IKGA Instructor License
• IKGA Shidoin Title

Services Provided:

• Instruction in IKGA karatedo
• Instruction in Olympic Karate conditioning & stretching
• Instruction for Olympic Karate - kata & kumite
• Coaching for Olympic Karate kumite & kata