“The best sermon is a good example.”
OUR SENSEI
- 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 Kudan (9th 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
Renshi Susan Harris
Renshi Tommy Thomas
Shihan Tina 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
Sensei Jennifer Wiederkehr
Sensei Charles Blommaert
Sensei Steve Kroll
Sensei Joey Marcella
Sensei Jovi Espinosa
Sensei Jim Wallander
Sensei Erick R. Soto
Sensei Dan Bamper
Sensei Kelli Marcella
Sensei Albert Solares
Sensei Lee Stafki
Sensei Tim Callahan
- Chicago
Sensei Steve Pergantis
- Grapevine
- Began training in 2003
- Sho-Dan in December 2012
- Earned title of Sensei
- May 2022
Sensei Steve Sumners
- Denton
Veteran
Retired US Army Desert Storm- Began training in 2009
- Spirit of Isshinryu Award 2010
- Sho-Dan in April 2015
- Earned Sensei September 2022
Sensei LB Herbert
- East Plano
- Began training in 2008
- Gasshuku Karate-ka of
- 2012 & 2013
- Sho-Dan in December 2015
- Co-Instructor at East Plano
- Dojo
- Earned Sensei May 2022
Sensei Grace Murray
- Grapevine
- Began training in 2010
- Gasshuku Karate-ka of
- 2014
- Top Competitor
- Sho-Dan in December 2015
- Earned Sensei May 2022
In Memory
Sensei Mike Harper
- Plano
- Began in 1999
- Top Competitor
- Earned Sho-Dan April
- 13, 2008
- Earned title of Sensei
- August 13, 2014