Athens Karate School is located approximately 3 miles south of the UT Health Athens Hospital in Athens, Texas. Founded in 1994 by the owner and chief instructor, John Shipes, we have brought traditional Okinawan Karate and Kobudo to the Athens area for going on 29 years in one continuous location.
We are proudly affiliated with Grandmaster Fusei Kise's Okinawan Shorinryu Matsumura Orthodox Karate and Kobudo Federation and Mr. Shipes has served as one of four US Director's in this organization since 1996. Holding an 9th degree black belt (Kudan) from Grandmaster Kise, Sensei Shipes is one of the senior students of Master Kise in the world.
Known as Sensei (teacher) to many students and former students world-wide, Sensei Shipes has affiliated schools throughout the United States, Salta, Argentina and in Trinidad, West Indies, where he passes on the teachings of Master Kise as well as Master Kise's son, Isao Kise, the heir-apparent to Master Kise's legacy. He also instructs the non-traditional martial arts of Kali including stick and knife fighting, Jeet Kune Do, Bruce Lee's method, and other arts under the tutelage of Tuhon Ray Parra of the Parra Academy of Martial Arts in Austin, Texas and the Garimot Arnis system under the tutelage of GAT Ninong Ceasar Parazzo of San Antonio, TX.
Sensei Shipes holds an 9th degree black belt, Kudan, from Master Kise and a 6th degree black belt, Rokudan, in Tuitejitsu from Master Kise and his son, Isao Kise. He was awarded a Hanshi, Grandmaster, title in 2010 from Master Kise and his son Isao, and holds a Level 1 Full Instructor certificate from Tuhon Parra as well as an Instructor Certifcation from the National Rifle Association for their Refuse to be a Victim Program. He also is certified as a Guro in the Garimot Arnis system.
The instructors of the Athens Karate School strive to bring to the students of the school the best instruction available in traditional karate and non-traditional martial arts, carrying on a long line of highly respected instructors.
We are proudly affiliated with Grandmaster Fusei Kise's Okinawan Shorinryu Matsumura Orthodox Karate and Kobudo Federation and Mr. Shipes has served as one of four US Director's in this organization since 1996. Holding an 9th degree black belt (Kudan) from Grandmaster Kise, Sensei Shipes is one of the senior students of Master Kise in the world.
Known as Sensei (teacher) to many students and former students world-wide, Sensei Shipes has affiliated schools throughout the United States, Salta, Argentina and in Trinidad, West Indies, where he passes on the teachings of Master Kise as well as Master Kise's son, Isao Kise, the heir-apparent to Master Kise's legacy. He also instructs the non-traditional martial arts of Kali including stick and knife fighting, Jeet Kune Do, Bruce Lee's method, and other arts under the tutelage of Tuhon Ray Parra of the Parra Academy of Martial Arts in Austin, Texas and the Garimot Arnis system under the tutelage of GAT Ninong Ceasar Parazzo of San Antonio, TX.
Sensei Shipes holds an 9th degree black belt, Kudan, from Master Kise and a 6th degree black belt, Rokudan, in Tuitejitsu from Master Kise and his son, Isao Kise. He was awarded a Hanshi, Grandmaster, title in 2010 from Master Kise and his son Isao, and holds a Level 1 Full Instructor certificate from Tuhon Parra as well as an Instructor Certifcation from the National Rifle Association for their Refuse to be a Victim Program. He also is certified as a Guro in the Garimot Arnis system.
The instructors of the Athens Karate School strive to bring to the students of the school the best instruction available in traditional karate and non-traditional martial arts, carrying on a long line of highly respected instructors.