Sensei
C. Michial Jones, Shihan
Indiana Shibu-Cho - Okinawa Gojuryu Karate-do Kyokai
USA Chief Instructor and World V.P. - International Gojuryu Karate Association
Mike Jones Sensei
Sensei Mike Jones, Like several other gojuryu instructors before him, is a law enforcement officer and training instructor, he currently holds the rank of Chief Deputy. He is the most decorated officer in his department and has received multiple awards and commendations for valor and bravery. In 2008 he was America's TOP COP and NAPO's Citizens Choice Award Winner.
Jones Sensei began his study of Okinawan Gojuryu Karate (Jundokan Lineage) at the Komakai Academy (Gas City) in 1977 under the direction of his father, Curt Jones Sensei. In 1982, he also began training under the legendary Glenn R. Keeney Sensei. From 1985 to 1989, he lived in Arizona where he trained in Shuri-ryu with the father of American Karate, Robert Trias Sensei, while in Arizona he also trained in Kobayashi Shorin-ryu with Jiro Shiroma Sensei and in Uechi-ryu with Al Sadler Sensei.
In 1989, Jones sensei returned to Indiana and began training at the Komakai Academy in Alexandria for a short time, before assiting his father in opening another Komakai Academy in Marion. In the 1990s, Jones Sensei began traveling and training with several people; From 1990-1992 he trained with Chuck Phillips Sensei at the Nippon Academy learning Japanese Goju-ryu, From 1990 to the present he began training with Lloyd Johnson Sensei at the Kentucky Jundokan.
In 1992 he assisted his father in opening the Indianapolis Komakai and he became the Chief Instructor for the Marion Komakai, a position he held until 1994, when the Marion Komakai closed and he founded the Gokenkan, which he contiues to lead today.
Durring the 1990s, Jones Sensei traveled a lot and attended many seninars trying to improve his understanding in the martial arts. He attended seminars and or trained in the dojos of the following Masters; Tetsunosuke Yusada, Koshin Iha, Nakano Minei, Yoshio Hichiya, Terou Chinen, Morio Higaonna, Gosei Yamaguchi, Motto Yamakura, Seiyu Oyata, Shian Toma, Seikichi Odo, Yuichi Kuda, Chi Yoon Tsai, Kiyoushi Nishima, Hidetaka Fukuda, Takayoshi Nagamine, Bill Wallace, Philip Koeppel, Gus Albear, Marvin Labbatt, Koei Nohara, Tatsunori Azuma, Sogen Oyakawa, Rudy Croswell, Mike Sadler, Bill Stockey, Fred McKinley, Ron Rollins, Paul Whitsell, Eddie Bathea, Tom Ward, John Lennox, Young Park, Jiro Shiroma, Ron Lindsey, Patrick McCarthey, Bruce Hileman, Ron Richards, Natambu Bomani, and Mikio Nishiuchi
In 1999, He meet and trained several times with Kimo Wall Sensei of the Higa Gojuryu Lineage, he also meet and became good friends with Roy Hobbs Sensei of the Toguchi Gojuryu Lineage. Also in 1999, he traveled to Okinawa and spent two weeks training in the birth place of karate, while there he was able to train with the legendary Eiichi Miyazato Sensei and several of the Jundokan / OGKK Seniors, in addition he was able to train with Yoshio Kuba Sensei of the Kenbukan and meet with Ko Uehara Sensei of the Jikishinkan.
In 2002, Jones Sensei won the US-Okiawan World Championships and accompanied his good friend Koei Nohara Sensei to California to teach several seminars.
From 2003 - 2006 he began training with Meitatsu Yagi Sensei of the Meibukan.
Since 2006 he has been a student of Koshin Iha Sensei, the successor to Eiichi Miyazato. In 2007 he was appointed the USA Chief Instructor of the International Gojuryu Association.
Over the last 30+ years Jones Sensei has trained with many leading figures of the Goju Ryu system and other Ryu-ha. He holds or has held numerous positions with several International karate organizations. He had a competitive career that lasted from 1977-2004 holding a large number of state, national and world titles in several different divisions and organizations. Although Gojuryu has been his primary art, Jones Sensei has managed to trian in several other displines and has earned black belt rankings in several of them.
Jones Sensei was a life member, instructor, and student at Komakai Academy (Gas City, Marion, Alexandria, Indianapolis, Anderson) from 1977-2004 when Hanshi Keeney decided to retire and sold the dojo. He was also a member, student and guest instructor at the Kentucky Jundokan from 1990 - 2004, He is still a member of this dojo but it is no longer a Jundokan Shibu.
Jones Sensei continues to teach at the Gokenkan and his various branch dojos, he also continues to assist his father at his dojo and he continues to travel and train, teach and attend seminars.