Okinawan Seidokan Karate and Kobudo
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 Instructors
 

Ed Duga, Shihan Sensei - Senior Advisor

The Torii Dojo is overseen by Sensei Ed Duga, Kyudan (9th Degree Black Belt), student of Shian Toma, Judan (10th Degree Black Belt) of Seidokan. Duga Sensei was a student on the island of Okinawa beginning in 1966 while he was stationed there in the army. In 1966 he received his Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) from Nakamura Sensei and Toma Sensei. In 1967 he received his Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) from Nakamura Sensei and Toma Sensei. In 1968 he received his Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) from Nakamura Sensei and Toma Sensei. These promotions occurred while Toma Sensei was affiliated with the All Okinawan Kenpo Karate Do League, led by Shigeru Nakamura, Judan (10th Degree Black Belt), Okinawan Kenpo. In 1969 Duga Sensei received his Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt) from Uehara Sensei and Toma Sensei. This promotion occurred while Toma Sensei was affiliated with the All Okinawan Karate Kobudo Association lead by Seikichi Uehara, Judan (10th Degree Black Belt) of Motobu-Ryu. In the summer of 1969 he had a period of personal study with Uehara Sensei. Upon his return to the U.S. In the 1970's, along with Sensei John Kennedy, he formed the USA Motobu-Ryu Karate Association. Thoughout the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's Sensei Duga had the opportunity to further train with Toma Sensei during his visits to the U.S. In 1977 Sensei Duga was promoted to Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) under Toma Sensei. In 1984 Toma Sensei formalized his own way of teaching and the USA Motobu-Ryu Karate Association then became the All Okinawan Seidokan Karate and Kobudo Association under Toma Sensei. Also in 1984 Sensei Duga was promoted to Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) under Toma Sensei. In 1996 Duga Sensei was presented his Shichidan (7th Degree Black Belt) by President of the International Karate Kobudo Federation Bruce Heilman, on behalf of Toma Sensei. Also in that same year he received his Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) in Okinawan Kenpo kobudo. In 1999 Duga Sensei received the rank of Hachidan (8th Degree Black Belt) from Toma Sensei. Sensei Duga has kept the Seidokan style true to its roots, practicing and teaching in a very traditional way. Sensei Duga has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Karate Rating Association as a "Pioneer of Karate in Pennsylvania" and is also a member of the International Karate Kobudo Federation's San Ju Nen Kai, the 30 year practitioner club. In 2003 the Kumite International honored Sensei Duga by presenting a KicKiss Scholarship in his name. In 2009 he became only the sixth person to be promoted to Kyudan (9th Degree Black Belt) in Seidokan from Toma Sensei.

 

Matt Kohler, Shihan Sensei - Head Instructor

Shihan Matt Kohler, under the supervision of Duga Sensei, is the head instructor of the Torii Dojo. Kohler Sensei began his training at the Torii Dojo with Sensei Duga in 1990 and in 1995 he also began studying Okinawan Kenpo Kobudo under Hanshi Bruce Heilman of the International Karate Kobudo Federation. In 1997 he was promoted to Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) in Seidokan under Sensei Duga and Toma Sensei. In 1999 he was promoted to Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) in Seidokan under Sensei Duga and Toma Sensei. In 2001 he was promoted to Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) in Okinawan Kenpo Kobudo under Hanshi Heilman. In 2002 he also began studying Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu under Hanshi Miguel Ibarra of the Yama Bushi Kai. Also in 2002 he began assisting instruction of the Budo class and studied kendo at the University of Pittsburgh which continued through his graduation in 2006. In 2003 he was promoted to Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) in Okinawan Kenpo Kobudo under Hanshi Heilman. In 2004 he traveled to Okinawa and trained with Toma Shian Sensei, Shigemitsu Tamae Sensei and Ron Nix Sensei. In 2005 he was promoted to Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) in Seidokan under Sensei Duga and Toma Sensei. In 2007 he was promoted to Okuiri (1st - 2nd Degree Black Belt) in Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu under Hanshi Ibarra. In 2008 he was promoted to Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt) and to the grade of Shihan (Licensed Instructor) in Seidokan under Sensei Duga and Toma Sensei. Besides instructing at the Torii Dojo Kohler Sensei also assists coordinating self-defense workouts with the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Martial Arts Club. The closing of the Norwin Community Center in the Spring of 2009 marked the end of the old Torii Dojo location and the present facility was constructed at Sensei Kohler's residence in Blairsville, PA.
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Dave Lentz, Sensei - Black Belt

At the age of 14, Sensei Lentz began studying for a period of two years at the Torii Dojo in 1974 when the dojo was located at the Greensburg YMCA. From 1981 to 1983 he studied at the Irwin YMCA and Circleville locations. From 1999 to 2001 he studied at the Norwin YMCA location and was promoted to Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) during that period. Sensei Lentz returned to the Torii Dojo at the new Blairsville location in 2010.

 

Bob Zagar, Sensei - Black Belt

Sensei Bob Zagar began studying at the Torii Dojo in 1986 and in 1987 took time off to start a family. After returning to the dojo in 2000, he was promoted to Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) in Seidokan under Sensei Duga and Toma Sensei in 2008.