Criteria for the Shihan title within the USCKF include at least 35 years of age, rank of Yon Dan or higher, and 25 years of training and service to the organization. In addition, the title may be awarded to individuals below the rank of Yon Dan if the the other two requirements are met and the individual has exhibited extraordinary dedication and service to the organization. There is no fee or test involved, the title of Shihan is an honor to the organization as much as it is to the individual. An individual may not apply for the title.

 

William J. Dometrich, Hanshi
Ku Dan (Ninth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Chairman and Chief Instructor USCKF
Began study of Karate in 1952
Promoted to Sho Dan 1954
Promoted to Shichi Dan and title "Kyoshi" by O-Sensei 1971
Promoted to Hachi Dan and title "Hanshi" by Hanshi Tesshin Hamada
of the Dai Nippon Butokukai (DNBK) 1999
Promoted to Ku Dan by DNBK in Kyoto, Japan 2008

Barbara E. Dometrich (Okusan), Kyoshi
Roku Dan (Sixth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Co-Founder USCKF
USCKF Chief Administrato
r
Began Study of Karate in 1962
Also holds black belts in Kendo and Iaido

 

Lawrence C. Hawkins, Jr., Esq., Kyoshi
Hachi Dan (Eighth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified 
Chief Advisor. Chairman Emeritus USCKF
Began study of Karate in 1961
Chief Instructor Yoseikan II Dojo, Cincinnati, OH
Sherry Kembre, Renshi
Rokku Dan (Sixth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Began Study of Chito-ryu 1971
USCKF Vice Chair and Assistant Administrator
Associate Instructor Yoseikan Hombu Dojo

Arthur Rott, Shihan
1918-November 2001
Shichi Dan (Seventh Degree Black Belt) awarded posthumously
Began study of Karate in 1966
Founder Yoseikan Apopka, Apopka, FL
Jerry Beshears, Kyoshi
Roku Dan (Sixth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Began study of Chito-ryu 1967
Associate Instructor Yoseikan Honbu Dojo
Joseph J. Schertler, Shihan
12/2/17 - November, 1987
Yon Dan (Forth Degree Black Belt)
Received Shihan title posthumously 10/18/98

Stephen Wilhelm, Renshi
Roku Dan (Sixth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Began Study of Karate in 1967
Also holds rank in Aikido
Associate Instructor Yoseikan Hombu Dojo

Manuel Byers, Renshi
Roku Dan (Sixth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Began Study of Chito-ryu 1972

James Matthews, Renshi
Roku Dan (Sixth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
USCKF Judicial Committee
Began Study of Chito-ryu 1961

Cyna Khalily, MD, Renshi
Roku Dan (Sixth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Began Study of Chito-ryu 1981
USCKF Assistant Administrator and Medical Advisor
Chief Instructor Yoseikan Takanoko Dojo, Louisville, KY


Terry Collis, Shihan
Roku Dan (Sixth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Began Study of Chito-ryu 1962

Michael Colling, Renshi
Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt)
DNBK Certified
Began study of Chito-ryu 1971, joined USCKF 1996
Chief Instructor Marion Bridge Yoseikan, Nova Scotia, Canada

Mina K. Ludwig, Esq., Shihan
Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Began Study of Chito-ryu 1983
USCKF Judicial Committee
Chief Instructor
Yoseikan Yoshisu Dojo, Cincinnati, OH

Barbara Tarczynski, Shihan
Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
USCKF Judicial Committee
Began Study of Chito-ryu 1971
Chief Instructor Maryland Yoseikan




Mark Chisenhall, Shihan
Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Began Study of Chito-ryu 1985
Chief Instructor Yoseikan Napolean


Gerald Meade, Shihan
Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Began Study of Chito-ryu 1972
Associate Instructor Yoseikan Hombu

Don Schmidt, Shihan
Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Began Study of Chito-ryu 1972
Associate Instructor Yoseikan Hombu




John Wellbrock, Shihan
Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Began Study of Chito-ryu 1973
Associate Instructor Yoseikan Hombu

Eric Ford, Shihan
Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Began Study of Chito-ryu 1981
Associate Instructor Yoseikan Hombu



Laura Deck

Laura Stith Deck, PhD, Shihan
Yon Dan (Fourth Degree Black Belt) DNBK Certified
Began Study of Chito-ryu 1983
Instructor Yoseikan II Dojo, Cincinnati, OH