Instructors – The Sensei
“The best sermon is a good example.”
OUR SENSEI
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- Founder and Chief Instructor
- Isshinryu Hall of Fame Inductee
- World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee
- World Karate Union Hall of Famer
- Texas Martial Arts Hall of Famer
- Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Famer
- International Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee
- Board Member of the Isshinryu Hall of Fame
SOKE ROBERT A. KRISTENSEN
GRAPEVINE
Soke Robert A. Kristensen founded Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai in 1991 after several years of training at the Jersey Judo Karate Kai under Shihan Dale Jenkins. He also trained under Hanshi William H. Duessell and now trains under Master Toby Cooling. Soke Kristensen served in the United States Navy in Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 6 and also served as shore patrol in Sasebo, Japan. He is a Vietnam Veteran. He was a world champion competitor and Top 10 competitor in Texas for over 10 years. In 2005 he was inducted into the prestigious Isshinryu Hall of Fame and currently serves as a Board Member. Soke Kristensen is a Judan (10th degree black belt), currently teaching eight classes each week at the Grapevine Main Dojo. He also holds black belts in Goju-ryu and Judo.
Kyoshi Maria Kristensen
Kyoshi Susan Harris
Kyoshi Tony Palos
Renshi Jeannie Rupp
Renshi Kyle Murray
Renshi Michael Strickland
- Denton
- Began in 1992
- Top Competitor
- Earned Sho-Dan April 13, 2008
- Earned Yon-Dan April 15, 2018
- Earned Go-Dan May 1, 2022
- Also studied Taekwondo
- IHOF Male Karate-ka of the year nominee
Renshi Mark Hendrix
Renshi Laura Murray
Renshi Glenn Gibbs
- Grapevine
- Earned Sho-Dan April 13, 2008
- Began in April 2002
- Studied Shotokan
- Earned title of Sensei in 2017
Renshi Margaret Myers
Renshi Steve Gellman, MD
Renshi Jennifer Wiederkehr
Sensei Charles Blommaert
Sensei Steve Kroll
Sensei Luke Hutchinson
Sensei Joey Marcella
Sensei Jim Wallander
Sensei Jovi Espinosa
Sensei Kelli Marcella
Sensei Dan Bamper
Sensei Albert Solares
- Grapevine
- Began training in February 2009
- Sho-Dan in August 2014
- Co-Instructor at East Plano Dojo
- Earned Sensei in August 2020
- Yon Dan April 2024
Sensei Steve Pergantis
- Grapevine
- Began training in 2003
- Sho-Dan in December 2012
- Earned Sensei May 2022
Sensei Tim Callahan
- Chicago
- Earned Sensei May 2022
Sensei Steve Sumners
- Denton
- Retired US Army Desert Storm Veteran. Combat tours in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait Meritorious Service Medal recipient
- Began training in 2009
- Spirit of Isshinryu Award 2010
- Earned Sho-Dan in April 2015
- Earned Sensei September 2022
Sensei LB Herbert
- East Plano
- Began training in 2008
- Senior Karate-ka of 2012 & 2013
- Outstanding Black Belt of 2019 & 2023
- Sho-Dan in December 2015
- Co-Instructor at East Plano Dojo
- Earned Sensei May 2022
Sensei Grace Murray
- Grapevine
- Began training in 2010
- Senior Karate-ka of 2014
- Top Competitor
- Sho-Dan in December 2015
- Earned Sensei May 2022
Sensei Mark Schneider
- Plano
- Began training in 2002
- Gasshuku Karate-ka of 2016
- Sho-Dan in April 2017
- Earned Sensei April 2023
Sensei Jared Brown
- Denton
- Began training May 2010
- Sho-Dan in April 2018
- Earned Sensei April 2024
Sensei Grant Dennis
- Denton
- Sho-Dan in August 2016
- Earned Sensei August 2024
In Memory
Sensei Mike Harper
- Plano
- Began in 1999
- Top Competitor
- Earned Sho-Dan April 13, 2008
- Earned title of Sensei August 13, 2014