Sensei Joe Gonzalez, 7th Dan, Chief Instructor & Club Director
Mr. Gonzalez started his Karate training in 1961 while with the U.S. Army in Okinawa, Japan, until his return to the United States in 1964. He then continued his training under Sensei Shojiro Sugiyama of the Japan Karate Association of Chicago, Illinois and the late Master Hideteka Nishiyama. Master Hidetaka Nishiyama (had trained under Master Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of modern Karate) is the founder of the American Amateur Karate Federation and International Traditional Karate Federation in Los Angeles, California.
Mr. Gonzalez has dedicated over half of his life to the Art, he has over 40 years teaching experience in the Japan Karate Association (JKA) Shotokan System. He has had the opportunity to meet and train with some of the best Karate instructors in the world during his international travels and at the San Diego, California JKA & ITKF Summer Camp from 1974 through 1993. During this time he accumulated over 300 hours of the ITKF Instructors Training Program and was the first American ever to receive the JKA Instructor Certificate in the Great Lakes Region. He is a registered Coach, Instructor, and International Judge and Official.
Known as the “man with the foot sweep” he has won many local, State, National, and International competitions from 1972-1985. Representing the U.S.A, he was a member of the international team traveling to Germany, Egypt, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil. Most notable events included: the Pan American Games, three World Championship Tournaments, and competition against the Japanese team for the U.S.A. Bi-Centennial in 1976 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvanian and again in 1985 Germany.
Between 1985 and 1993 he was appointed and held the position of Regional Director for the ITKF, later to become independent of the organization to continue his work for the Art, as the host of the Windy City Traditional Karate Championship Tournament. Originating in 1987, the annual event attracts several hundred athletes from across the U.S.A. as well as other countries. It is an opportunity where athletes can come together to test themselves once a year regardless of affiliation……….all are welcome.
In 2010 the W.C.T. hosted its first Traditional Okinawa Weapons Division, further enhancing the Art and Sport. The Zen Bei Butoku-Kai International is a martial arts organization dedicated to the preservation of the teachings of the late Master Richard Kim, 10th Dan and his legacy. That legacy has stretched to all ends of the Earth over the years and has touched thousands. His teachings of the traditional martial arts and, perhaps even more significant, the philosophy of the martial arts are second to none.
Currently: Along with hosting the Annual W.C.T, Mr. Gonzalez travels locally and abroad doing seminars.
Sensei welcomes anyone interested in learning the JKA (Shotokan) system.
Sensei Gonzalez can be contacted to schedule a Seminar.
Call (847) 797-1989 for more information (Se Habla Espanol).