US Yoshukai Karate Kentucky

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Your Sensei: Shinji Matsuda

Matsuda-Sensei is a karate expert in the US Yoshukai Karate style, whose dedication and 40 years of practice have earned him a 4th degree black belt and the honorary title “Shihan” (“master instructor”). Further, he is a three-time Champion of the U.S. Yoshukai Karate Association (USYKA) National Title. He won the National Title in 1993, 1997, and 2004.

Matsuda-Sensei is from Fukuoka, Japan, and has been practicing Karate since he was 9 years old. He moved to the United States in 1991 in order to study US Yokushukai Karate under the highly respected Grand Master Koda. Grand Master Koda taught Shinji the US Yoshukai Karate style. This is a traditional Japanese style of karate that focuses on instilling respect and manners within students. Learning US Yoshukai Karate under Grand Master Koda was life-changing and it is the experience that Matsuda-Sensei is the proudest of.

Matsuda-Sensei acquired his 4th degree black belt while training under Grand Master Koda in 1997. As Grand Master Koda passed away the same year, Matsuda decided to keep this rank for life out of respect and dedication to his late teacher. He has held this rank for 28 years and has no intention of moving up.

Matsuda-Sensei began teaching Karate classes when he was in Junior High School, giving him more than 40 years of experience as a teacher. He has stated that his favorite aspect of instruction is enjoyment from teaching and seeing improvements within students. Matsuda-Sensei believes that teaching respect and manners are the most important part of his class.

Matsuda-Sensei also has experience working in television. He worked in the production of the YouTube series, and sequel to “the Karate Kid” classic, “Cobra Kai.” He worked on-set with the youngest son of Grand Master Koda, and even acted on-screen as a tournament judge with the Director of US Yoshukai Karate. Matsuda-Sensei appears in this scene along with “the Karate Kid” star