Black Belts

Yudansha

Black Belt Students of the Gokenkan

Andrew E. White

Andy started training in Gojuryu Karate in 1989 at the Marion Komakai under the direction of Mr, Curt Jones and Mr. Mike Jones. Andy was the assistant instructor at the Marion Komakai under the direction of Mr. Mike Jones from 1992-1994.

From 1994-1996, he was the chief instructor of the Tetsuryukai dojo. Andy currently serves as an instructor at the Gokenkan.

As a competitor Andy was consistent on the Indiana tournament scene. He placed 8th in the nation for the USKK. As a coach, he trained three students to state championships.

Andy also received oustanding student awards each year from 1990-1994.

Pat Mitchell

Pat began his training in 1974, he was a live in student for several years under Sensei Curt Jones. Pat was an assistant at the Marion Komakai from 1982-1985. Due to family obligations Pat took a break from Karate for a short time.

Pat assited in Opening the Second Marion Komakai in 1989, where he began training under Sensei Curt Jones and Mike Jones. In 1994, he continued training with Sensei Mike Jones and he assisted at the Marion Gokenkan, which he took over as the instructor for a year when sensei moved.

As a competitor Pat, was State and National Campion.

Scott Minnich

Scott was first introduced to karate by his father, Michael, who was a student of Frank VanLenten. Later Scott studied under Steve St. Pierre, from whom he recieved his shodan.

Scott began training with Sensei Mike Jones at the Carmel dojo in 2000. After a probationary period, Scott was evaluated and granted yudansha satus in the Gokenkan. Scott assited Sensei at the dojo with teaching. He also spent several days a week in the dojo training and a lot of his free time at Sensei's house. Scott has also traveled with sensei, acting as his assistant.

As a competitor Scott was Indiana state champion.

Amber Jones

Amber began her training at the Marion Komakai in 1991 under Mike Jones. Amber married Sensei Jones in 1993 and has three son's with Sensei that all train in karate.

In addition to her training, Amber also acted as the business manager for the Marion Komakai for several years. She also assisted Sensei with children’s classes at the YMCA dojo and she also assisted with the office and woman's self defense classes at the Carmel dojo.

Currently Amber is the treasurer and secretary for the Gokenkan. She is the one responsible for typing out all the books and making all of the certificates for sensei, and occasionally you will even see her out on the mat helping. She is always on hand and assists sensei with what ever he might need.

Amber is the only female promoted to black belt in the Gokenkan and she is also the secretary for the IGKA-USA and OGKK Indiana.

Chris Minnich

Chris was first introduced to karate by his father, Michael, who was a student of Frank VanLenten. Later Chris studied under Steve St. Pierre earning a purple belt.

Chris began his training with Sensei Mike Jones in 2000 at the Carmel dojo, starting over at white belt. Chris trained everyday, and spent most of his free time at Sensei's house.

Chris curently is in Texas and is a guest instructor at David Dobbs' Eishinkan dojo, representing Sensei.

Howard Upton

I began training in Chinese Kenpo Karate in 1981; this system later became known as Ed Parker’s American Kenpo Karate. My first teacher’s name is Bill Rhinehart, currently a seventh dan. Rhinehart sensei has studied with his teacher Tony Martinez close to forty years and also studied several times with the founder, Master Edmund Parker. I achieved the rank of blue belt before moving.

My next karate training began in 1993 in United Yoshukai Karate, founded by Michael Sadler, Sr., judan. The system was a break away from Master Mamoru “Katsuoh” Yamamoto, a student of Tsuyoshi Chitose. Sadler sensei trained directly under Hiroyuki Koda, as well as Yamamoto sensei for many years. Sadler sensei eventually named his system Shingo-ha Yoshukai Karate-do. My current rank in Shingo-ha Yoshukai Karate-do is godan. I have also been granted the title of shihan. In late 2009, I formed my own Yoshukai group, Seito-ha Yoshukai Karate-do.

I began training in with Terry Reed, sensei in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-do in 2000. Reed sensei was a student of Kimo Wall sensei for many years. My current rank in Kodokan Goju Ryu Karate-do is shodan.

I requested that Michial Jones, kyoshi take me under his tutelage in Goju Ryu Karate-do in 2004 and have been under his guidance since. My current rank in Jones sensei’s Gokenkan Goju Ryu is shodan.

Curtis T. Jones

I was practically born in a dojo, from the time my brother and I was born, our father, Sensei Mike Jones, took us to the dojo while he taught class. My mother tells us stories of how we were doing karate before we learned to walk. She said when we left the hospital, our first stop was to the dojo, and then home. I officially joined the dojo in 1998. But in 1996 we studied karate at my pre-school under my father and Mr. Karl Koch.

In 1999 I began to study Judo under Ms. Margaret Kat and Mr. Young Park. Mr. Park was my fathers Judo and Jujutsu teacher. Our school had a judo program instead of wrestling.

In 2000 my father openned a large dojo in Carmel, Indiana and there we were able to study with many visiting masters.

I can remember several times where we had visiting karate masters from all over stay as guests in our home. I have also been able to attend many karate functions with my father over the years. In addition I have been able to meet several of his teachers.

Outside of karate I have competed and trained in wrestling since the sixth grade and have achieved several championship titles, I have also competed in Track and Cross Country, earning varsity letters. I also maintain honor roll status.

Alecsander T. Jones

I have been in a dojo since shortly after my birth, from the time my brother and I was born, our father, Sensei Mike Jones, took us to the dojo while he taught class. My mother has told me stories of how we were doing karate before we learned to walk. My first official karate class wasn’t really until 1998. However, in 1996 I studied karate at pre-school under my father and Mr. Karl Koch.

In 1999 I began to study Judo under Ms. Margaret Kat and Mr. Young Park. Mr. Park was my fathers Judo and Jujutsu teacher. Our school had a judo program instead of wrestling.

I can remember several times where we had visiting karate masters from all over visit the dojo and also stay as guests in our home. One fond memory I have, was having Nohara Koei Hanshi stay with us several times and every mornig he would get us up and train us in kata and bunkai.

I have also been able to attend many karate functions with my father over the years. In addition I have been able to meet and train with several of his teachers.

Outside of karate I have competed and trained in wrestling since the sixth grade and I have also competed in Track and Cross Country. I have received numerous academic awards from the governor, State senators and representatives. I have also maintained honor roll status since kindergarten.

Gokenkan 剛拳館

Member: OGKK / IGKA