Shihan Chapman, 6th dan (Goju-ryu), 6th dan Kobudo

Shorin-ryu (Renshi, 5th dan) began his Martial Arts training in 1973 under Ichiro Takahata. Shihan Chapman was encouraged by Sensei Takahata to supplement his training with various other martial styles including but not limited to kung fu, yang-style tai chi, northern white crane, chin-na, and weaponry. He received his 1st degree black belt in 1976.

Shihan Chapman has been twice inducted into the Martial Arts Hall Of Fame. The first time for teaching and promoting Ryukyuan kobudo (weaponry), and most recently for "Master Instructor Of The Year." Shihan Chapman has been in several TV Shows as well as performing demonstrations for various events. Shihan Chapman is a nationally known and respected Martial Artist.

Sensei Ty Yocham 4th dan (Goju-ryu), 2nd dan (Kobu-jutsu)

Sensei Yocham has been actively studying and teaching Okinawa GoJu Ryu Karate since 1989. His rank and leadership abilities are certified and recognized on an international level. Sensei Yocham was assigned his first assistant teaching assignment in 1990, and has been instructing classes ever since. His experience includes adult karate instruction, children karate instruction, weapons instruction, women's self-defense classes, demonstrations at large events (such as "The Big Boy Toy Show," "City Wide Forth Of July Festivities," "Karate Tournaments,") and much more. The "Martial Arts of the World" encyclopedia has published several pictures of Sensei in their year 2001 printing.

Sensei Yocham and his classes have been voted both "Instructor of the Year," and "School of the Year" for 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 within the Texas Okinawan GoJu- Kai Karate Federation. This earned Sensei Yocham Instructor of the Decade and School of the Decade for the 1990's. Mr. Yocham has been inducted into the very first Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame as 1997 Instructor of the Year in the Okinawan division. Sensei Yocham is serving as the International Secretary, U.S.A. Vice-Chairman, and the Texas State Director for the KOBGK. Sensei is the Secretary for the T.O.G.K.F. Sensei Yocham is on the School Board for NYOS Charter School in Austin, Texas.

Sensei Steve Werther, 3rd dan (Goju-ryu), 1st dan (Amer. Karate)

Sensei Werther (04-18-57) began studying Martial Arts in 1981 and has been teaching both adults and children’s classes regularly since July of 1986.

Mr. Werther received his first Shodan ranking in USA Karate from Sensei Gerald Fajardo on May 27^th, 1986. Mr. Fajardo awarded instructorship of the Lake Highlands Branch Dojo in Dallas, TX to Sensei Werther in mid July of 1986.

In Early 1990, the Lake Highlands USA Karate Class was discovered by Shihan Dean Chapman, of Irving Texas, and was quickly converted to the Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Shoreikan Martial Arts System. Shortly after earning a Shodan ranking awarded by Shihan Dean Chapman in August of 1991, Sensiei Werther became one of the Founding Directors of the Texas Okinawan Goju-Kai Karate Federation (togkf.org).

Due to Shihan Chapman’s guidance and constant training, Mr. Werther was tested for Nidan ranking on November 27^th, 1995 and was promoted to Sandan level.

Currently Sensei Werther is a student and assistant instructor at the Walnut Hill Recreation Center in Dallas and the Senter Park Recreation Center in Irving Dojos while continuing his training toward additional ranking within the TOGKF.

Professionally, Mr. Werther, is the owner and operator of Lake Highlands Glass and Mirror Company 214-349-8160, serving the Metroplex with over 30 years experience in the glass and mirror business. Steve is living and working within the Lake Highlands Community of North East Dallas with his wife Katie, of 25 years, and 14 year old son and 8 year old daughter. His family, as well as the many instructors and students of the TOGKF, help to provide encouragement and support towards both his Martial Arts training and the glass and mirror business.

Sensei Sherry Owens, 3rd dan (Goju-ryu)

Sensei Owens started training in Goju Ryu in Jan 1990 and tested for Shodan Aug 1. 1992.
She is an assistant instructor at the Senter Park and Cimeron dojos.

Sensei Owens has been awarded Black Belt of the year for 2000 and 2001 and was named Assistant Instructor of the year in 2001.

Sensei. Todd Marble, 3rd dan, 3rd dan (Kobu-jutsu)

Mr. Marble began his martial arts training in May 1995. Sensei Marble received his first blackbelt in Ryukyu Kobu-jutsu on March 27, 1997 and his blackbelt in Goju-Ryu Karate on July 28, 1997.

Sensei Marble earned his Sandan in Ryukyu Kobu-jutsu on May 10, 2002 and received his Sandan in Goju-Ryu Karate on July 13, 2002. He was voted TOGKF Instructor of the Year for 2002 and is currently a member of the TOGKF Black Belt Council.

Sensei Marble instructs at Cimarron Park in Valley Ranch, TX.

Classes Tues. & Thurs. 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Mr. Ian K. Fauth, 4th dan

Over the last  20 years, Mr. Ian K. Fauth has taught Tae Kwon-Do both in Australia and the United States. While still living in Australia he taught Tae Kwon-Do classes at various high schools, church halls, fitness centers and gymnasiums in Brisbane and Bundaberg. He also taught Tae Kwon-Do classes at Queensland University in Brisbane. During that time, he developed his own unique method of teaching which could best be described as Australasian style: a style that combines the traditional with more modern scientific training methods.

The opening of his new school, The 4th Degree, in December 2001, represents Mr. Fauth's newest effort to
promote the many benefits of martial arts training for children,teens and adults and to identify and develop strong future competitors for martial arts events at the local, state, national and international level.    >> more

Mr. Brian Heiar, 2nd dan (Goju-ryu), 1st dan (Kobu-jutsu)

Mr. Heiar has been training under Shihan Chapman since 1993, earning Shodan in April, 1997 and Nidan June, 1998, and Shodan in Ryukyu Kobujutsu in 1998. He began assisting in 1995 and has been the Walnut Hill club head instructor since 1997. He also assistant teaches at Shihan Chapman's Irving class.

Sensei Heiar has been awarded Federation Student of the Year for 1996 and 1998, and Federation Black Belt of the Year for 1997. In 1998 he was inducted as Black Belt of the Year into the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
In 1997, the Walnut Hill club won first place at the Summer TOGKF Invitational tournament.

Mr. Carlos Gonzales, 2nd dan (Goju-ryu)

Mr. Gonzales began training in Okinawan Goju-Ryu in 1989 under Shihan Chapman while in Stephenville, Texas. He earned his Shodan in 1992. Mr. Gonzales has served as Head Instructor in Brownwood, Texas and Dublin, Texas. Prior to that he served in an Assistant Instructor capacity in Stephenville and Dublin,Texas.

Mr. Gonzales has trained since 1986 in various martial arts such as Kajukenbo, Bushido Kempo, Tae Kwon Do, and Muay Thai Kickboxing. Mr. Gonzales has conducted Demonstrations, various training seminars for the TOGKF and law enforcement personnel in continuing education and weapon retention.

For the past decade, Mr.Gonzales has worked with a variety of youth populations in Texas including troubled and at-risk juveniles in various settings including local communities at large and in juvenile correctional settings. As of 2002, Mr. Gonzales was appointed as the Special Projects Co-Ordinator/Liaison for the TOGKF. Currently Mr. Gonzales continues to train and serves as an Assistant Instructor in the Irving Dojo.

Mr. David Williams, 2nd dan (Goju-ryu)

Mr. Williams has been studying Okinawan Goju-ryu under Sensei Ty Yocham since 1995. He was promoted to the rank of Shodan in 1999 by the Board Members of the TOGKF. Sempai Williams continues to train and serves as Assistant Instuctor in the Round Rock, Texas dojo.

Mr. Bill Woodward, 2nd dan

Sempai Woodward has been studying Okinawan Goju-Ryu in Round Rock, TX under Sensei Yocham since October 1996. He was promoted to Shodan in January, 2002 by the Board Members of the TOGKF, receiving "best of test" honors during his Shodan test. He continues to train and serves as Assistant Instructor at the Round Rock dojo.

In December, 2002, Sempai Woodward was elected to a 2-year term on the TOGKF Black Belt council.

Mr. Kendall

Sempai Kendall began studying Goju-Ryu in 1990 under Sensei Cliff Weible in Dublin, TX. He received his shodan 1st degree black belt July 13, 2002, from the Texas Okinawan Goju-kai Karate Federation (TOGKF).

Sempai Kendall started the Hico Okinawan Karate in October 2002, and is currently training under Sensei Ty Yocham 4th degree black belt (Austin Okinawan Karate) and Shihan Dean Chapman 6th degree black belt (Dallas, TX) both internationally know Martial Arts Teachers.

Sempai Kendall's objectives in teaching is to introduce an excellent family oriented fitness and self-defense program based on authentic martial arts to the Stephenville and Hico Area. The program contributes physical exercise, strength training and self protection in a recreational but disciplined format.

Sempai Ben Walter

Bio to come.