HANSHI JOHN SHIPES, US DIRECTOR
John Shipes began his formal martial arts training in 1978 under Master Roy Kurban in Arlington, Tx in Tae Kwon Do, and trained there for about 4 years. He moved to Palestine, Tx in 1981 when he first met Steve Warren, a student of Master Kise’s, and trained with him for about 3 months. He then joined the Cha Yon Ryu system of Master Kim Soo under instructor Ken Pickle, a more familiar Tae Kwon Do based system. This training continued for about a year when Sensei Shipes left Mr. Pickle’s school and returned to Sensei Warren’s school and has remained with Master Kise’s system ever since. Sensei Shipes currently holds a Kudan and Hanshi title in Master Kise’s Matsumura Orthodox Karate-do, a Rokudan in Tuitejitsu, a Yondan in Kobudo, and a Police Techniques Instructors certificate. Sensei Shipes was awarded his Shihan certificate by Master Kise in June of 1996, his Hanshi title in 2010, and his Kudan rank in 2022.
Sensei Shipes has also trained for many years under Sensei Richard Sapp, while in Palestine and beyond and was awarded a 7 th degree black belt from Sensei Sapp in American Shorin-kai Kenpojitsu.
Sensei Shipes also trained in Jun Fan Kung fu under Sifu Larry Hartsell via seminars and training camps and currently trains in Jun Fan Kung fu and Kali under Tuhon Ray Parra of Austin, TX. These camps consisted primarily of joint locking and grappling, trapping, Thai boxing, Kali, boxing, and Jun Fan techniques. Sensei trained for a short while in jujitsu and in Shotokan karate while living in Tucson. Sensei Shipes hold a Level 2 Full Instructor certification under Tuhon Parra.
Sensei Shipes also actively trains in Garimot Arnis under GAT Ninong Ceasar Parazzo of San Antonio, TX and was awarded his GAT Guro certification from GAT founder Abon Baet of Penbroke Pines, FL.
Sensei Shipes is active in the OSMKKF, and has served as a director since 1996 and his training continues via summer camps with the GrandMaster and Kaicho Isao Kise, and visits with other instructors whenever possible. Sensei Shipes holds monthly weekend training sessions at his dojo in Athens, Texas to provide training opportunities to others in Kenshin Kan and other systems.
Sensei Shipes currently resides in Athens, Texas where he is chief instructor at his dojo, Self Defense Concepts – Athens Karate School, where visitors are always welcome. He is retired as a Laboratory Manager and is a full time martial artist.
HANSHI JEFF ADER, US DIRECTOR
Hanshi Ader began training in June 1970 under Alfred Gossett in Goshin Do Karate and Jiu Jitsu. After 20 years of study and training Sensei Ader was promoted to 5th Dan in June of 1990, shortly before converting to Kenshin Kan under Grand Master Kise.
Hanshi Ader was promoted to 6th Dan Shihan on June 9th, 1996 and was also appointed one of the two US directors at that time along with John Shipes. Sensei Ader was promoted to 7th Dan Kyoshi by Master Kise in June of 2001. Hanshi Ader was graded to 8th degree Black Belt on May 31, 2009 by Grand Masters Fusei Kise and Isao Kise. On Nov. 9, 2010 Hanshi Ader was awarded the title of “Grand Master” by Supreme Grand Master Fusei Kise and the board of directors of the OSMKKF.
Hanshi Ader has taught karate in Colorado Springs since 1979 and has also had the honor of teaching karate at the United States Air Force Academy as well as several foreign countries and U.S. military bases at home and abroad. Hanshi Ader was promoted by Hanshi Sei Fusei Kise and Kaicho Isao Kise to Ku Dan, or 9th degree Black Belt on July, 2022. Hanshi continues today in his role as a Director of the OSMKKF, while keeping a strenuous teaching, research, writing and seminar schedule.
KYOSHI LOREN ENGLEBY, US DIRECTOR
Loren began training in Martial Arts in 1983 while attending College. In 1987 he earned the rank of Shodan in Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate. Loren has continued training with his teacher Grandmaster Fusei Kise and his son Kaicho Isao Kise. He has traveled to Okinawa numerous times to train with his teachers. He also travels throughout the US assisting other instructors.
In 2016 Loren was appointed as one of three US Directors for the Federation. The Directors oversee the Federation affiliated Karate studios as well as the business side of the Federation. In 2018 Loren was promoted to the rank of Hachidan (8th degree black belt).
KYOSHI GARY OLIVER, AUSTRALIA DIRECTOR
Gary began martial arts training in 1964 at the Ballarat Judo Club in Victoria, Australia. He progressed rapidly and achieved 1st Kyu twice as junior ranks were not allowed to grade to Shodan at that time. He began teaching Judo at the age of 13 and won the Ballarat Junior Judo Championship in 1968.
In 1969 he began formal training in Karate and achieved Shodan in Sei Ku Kai (a Shotokan derivative) under Sensei Wayne Williamson. He attained Nidan in 1975 in Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito under Soken O Sensei, reaching Nidan in 1975. He has remained loyal to our federation ever since the establishment of the Kenshin Kan and was graded to Rokudan in 2005.
Gary has visited Okinawa and Japan on many occasions and enjoyed the hospitality and teaching of both Hanshi Sei and Kaicho. He also trains in Iaido and Kendo and holds the rank of Godan in both disciplines. He was President of Australia’s largest State Kendo Association – the Victorian Kendo Renmei for 10 years and still competes nationally and internationally, coming third in his division at the Australian Kendo Championships in 2005 and second in the National Open kata division in 2008.
Currently he teaches Karate at Maryborough near where he lives. In 2019 he was appointed as Director- Australia Branch by Hanshi Sei and Kaicho.