TKC INSTRUCTORS
Michael Buttermark, Shihan
Konstantin Ozerinzky, Sensei & Medical Doctor
Torsten "TJ" Johnson, Sensei
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 'stree
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'.
2022 marks his 40th 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 "TJ" Johnson, Sensei
Konstantin Ozerinzky, Sensei & Medical Doctor
Torsten "TJ" Johnson, Sensei
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-Nationa
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 Ozerinzky, Sensei & Medical Doctor
Konstantin Ozerinzky, Sensei & Medical Doctor
Konstantin Ozerinzky, Sensei & Medical Doctor
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 a
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
ancillary staff supporters
Keith Olivares, Sensei
Keith Olivares, Sensei
Keith Olivares, Sensei
Keith Olivares Sensei is wonderful supporter of TKC Dojo. He is Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Gojuryu Karatedo; and Nidan, 2nd Degree Black Belt, in Shotokan Karatedo and a formidable competitor in his youth in the Philippines.
Keith Sensei has helped Team TKC prepare for competitions and coached them at regional events and nationals.
Keith Sensei has karate roots back to his youth in the Philippines. The dojo he called 'home' was a duel system - Shotokan Karate and IKGA Goju Karate location under IKGA Shihan Richard Lim and his father - the late Manuel "Pocholo" Veguillas Shihan - a legend in Philippine Karatedo.
Akassh Shah, Sempai
Keith Olivares, Sensei
Keith Olivares, Sensei
TKC Dojo has been very fortunate to have Akassh Shah Sempai actively engaged with us. He is a Nidan, 2nd degree Black Belt, from IKGA India presently living in NJ. He earned a MS in Computer Science from New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).
Akassh Sempai was a member of the India National Karate team and won Bronze Medal at WKF Junior, Cadet, & U21 World Championship in Croatia in kumite (fighting).
He has been extremely helpful working with our young athletes by sharing his extraordinary work ethic, tactical knowledge, and insights from his experiences in high-level championships.
John Castella, Sempai
Keith Olivares, Sensei
John Castella, Sempai
Despite his youthful age of 19, John Castella Sempai has developed a great leadership resume in his 14 continuous years as a TKC student. He has been an inspiration to many of the younger athletes on our team and helps train them regularly. He is pursuing a Business Degree at Rutgers University.
John Sempai is an IKGA Nidan, 2nd degree Black Belt and a formidable fighter in competition. He has won Gold and several Bronze Medals at Nationals and US Team Trials in the USA-NKF. In 2017, he was the #4 seeded fighter for USA Karate Team selection - in his first attempt at US Team Trials.
In September 2017, he was a USA Team Captain and won Silver Medal at the 7th IKGA Global Championship held in the Richmond Olympic Oval in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Omar Dahdouh, Sempai
Gianna Buttermark, Sempai
John Castella, Sempai
Omar Dahdouh Sempai has developed an impressive resume in his 13 continuous years as a TKC student. He has been an inspiration to many of the younger athletes on our team and helps train them regularly. He will pursue a AS at Brookdale Community College.
Omar Sempai is an IKGA Shodan, 1st degree Black Belt and a formidable fighter in competition. He has won Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals at Nationals and US Team Trials in the USA-NKF.
In September 2017, he was a USA Team member who was narrowly defeated in his Bronze Medal match at the 7th IKGA Global Championship held in the Richmond Olympic Oval in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Gianna Buttermark, Sempai
Gianna Buttermark, Sempai
Gianna Buttermark, Sempai
Gianna Buttermark Sempai has been a TKC student for 19 years and is an IKGA Shodan, first degree Black Belt. She has overcome numerous obstacles in life and is an inspirational leader in dojo. A patient, knowledgeable, kind leader, Gianna Sempai is a wonderful role model for our female students.
At USA-NKF Nationals, she has won several Gold, Silver & Bronze medals. She retired from competition and is a dedicated coach for our travel team.
Gianna Sempai is a graduate of Community College. Being the daughter of Shihan did not get her any extra graces in her progress. Everything she accomplished was truly earned and well deserved. Gianna Sempai learned extremely well & having over a decade and a half of exposure, she understands the finest details of the curriculum & competitive karate.
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