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Sensei Greer Golden
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Chief Instructor Emeritus
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In 1957, Mr. Golden was on active duty in the Air Force, stationed in Japan. Being a “skinny” guy who was always getting pushed around, he decided to look for a school that offered Judo classes. During his search he observed a martial artist working out. Mr. Golden asked him what he was doing and the man replied, Karate. Soon thereafter, Mr. Golden began training with Mr. Noboru Kobayashi.
Mr. Golden extended his military enlistment for an additional year so he could continue to train in Japan and test for his Shodan, which he received in 1961.
During this time, he was an active competitor in Japan. In one of these tournaments, Mr. Golden fought against the captain of the Italian karate team and won and was awarded a trophy for “Best Fighting Spirit”. In Mr. Golden's honor, the Mid-America Karate Region has sponsored a "Best Fighting Spirit" award which has been presented to a worthy participant at each of the ISKF National Karate Tournaments beginning in 2013.
After achieving his Shodan, Mr. Golden returned to the United States. While in California, Mr. Golden began training with Mr. Hidetaka Nishiyama, who had just come to America.
Mr. Golden also had the fortune to train under Mr. Yutaka Yaguchi, who was assigned to assist Mr. Nishiyama. In the mid 60’s, Mr. Nishiyama sent Mr. Golden to Arizona to teach karate. Then, in an attempt to further develop karate in America, the Japan Karate Association sent more qualified instructors from Japan to the United States. Mr. Golden returned to California after Mr. Shojiro Koyama arrived in Arizona.
In 1968 the Japan Karate Associations held its first Instructor Trainee program in the United States. Mr. Golden attended this program full-time, and graduated in 1969. This was the first instructor class to graduate outside of Japan.
He was then sent to Athens, Ohio (Ohio University) to begin teaching karate.
While in Athens, Mr. Golden began making the trip to Philadelphia to train with Mr. Okazaki, another JKA instructor. In 1977 Mr. Okazaki formed the International Shotokan Karate Federation (I.S.K.F.) and Mr. Golden was appointed the Chief Instructor of the Mid-America Karate Region.
In 1984 Mr. Golden was invited to visit Anchorage, Alaska where he became a technical adviser and was instrumental in having them join the I.S.K.F. Mr. Golden would often comment on how he truly enjoyed his visits to Alaska.
Mr. Golden credits his karate achievements to all of his JKA/ISKF instructors.
Sadly, Mr. Golden passed away on February 18, 2019. He was a true pioneer for the art of Shotokan Karate... our own Johnny Appleseed!
This information was obtained during an interview with Mr. Golden by Jeff Weber
Mr. Golden extended his military enlistment for an additional year so he could continue to train in Japan and test for his Shodan, which he received in 1961.
During this time, he was an active competitor in Japan. In one of these tournaments, Mr. Golden fought against the captain of the Italian karate team and won and was awarded a trophy for “Best Fighting Spirit”. In Mr. Golden's honor, the Mid-America Karate Region has sponsored a "Best Fighting Spirit" award which has been presented to a worthy participant at each of the ISKF National Karate Tournaments beginning in 2013.
After achieving his Shodan, Mr. Golden returned to the United States. While in California, Mr. Golden began training with Mr. Hidetaka Nishiyama, who had just come to America.
Mr. Golden also had the fortune to train under Mr. Yutaka Yaguchi, who was assigned to assist Mr. Nishiyama. In the mid 60’s, Mr. Nishiyama sent Mr. Golden to Arizona to teach karate. Then, in an attempt to further develop karate in America, the Japan Karate Association sent more qualified instructors from Japan to the United States. Mr. Golden returned to California after Mr. Shojiro Koyama arrived in Arizona.
In 1968 the Japan Karate Associations held its first Instructor Trainee program in the United States. Mr. Golden attended this program full-time, and graduated in 1969. This was the first instructor class to graduate outside of Japan.
He was then sent to Athens, Ohio (Ohio University) to begin teaching karate.
While in Athens, Mr. Golden began making the trip to Philadelphia to train with Mr. Okazaki, another JKA instructor. In 1977 Mr. Okazaki formed the International Shotokan Karate Federation (I.S.K.F.) and Mr. Golden was appointed the Chief Instructor of the Mid-America Karate Region.
In 1984 Mr. Golden was invited to visit Anchorage, Alaska where he became a technical adviser and was instrumental in having them join the I.S.K.F. Mr. Golden would often comment on how he truly enjoyed his visits to Alaska.
Mr. Golden credits his karate achievements to all of his JKA/ISKF instructors.
Sadly, Mr. Golden passed away on February 18, 2019. He was a true pioneer for the art of Shotokan Karate... our own Johnny Appleseed!
This information was obtained during an interview with Mr. Golden by Jeff Weber
Sensei Greer Golden Memorial Fund
Revenue generated from this fund is now used to purchase "The Best Fighting Spirit Award"
This award is presented by the Mid-America Karate Region, to the competitor who best exemplifies this character at each ISKF National Championship Tournament in Sensei Golden's honor.
This award is presented by the Mid-America Karate Region, to the competitor who best exemplifies this character at each ISKF National Championship Tournament in Sensei Golden's honor.
B. Baleotte of Italy (Left) vs G. Golden of the US (Right) 1971 ....................................................Photo Credit: Samurai Magazine
Recipients of the
"Best Fighting Spirit Award"
"Best Fighting Spirit Award"
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2013 - Joe Foltz
2014 - Shaka Smith 2015 - Kelly Wicker 2016 - Seth Merrill |
2017 - Andy Moore
2018 - Marty Schrager 2019 - Lynn Franco 2020 - No Tournament |
2021 - No Tournament
2022 - Kerstin Haring 2023 - Debbie Hoplamazian 2024 - Alex Ruble |
A Memorial Fund has been set up in honor of Sensei Golden to assist in
the perpetuation of his legacy.
For those so inclined, monetary donations may be sent in his name to:
Mid-America Karate, Inc.
1020 Nottingham Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45255
Please make checks payable to Mid-America Karate, Inc.
with Sensei Golden Memorial Fund in the memo line.
When making your donation please fill out and include the form located on our
Forms Page
If it is easier, you can make your donation via PayPal using this link.
You can then email the donation form to: [email protected]
The Sensei Golden Memorial was initially set up to raise money to purchase a memorial stone in his honor. Everyone has been so generous that we raised more than enough money to honor Sensei, so we now use the revenue generated from that fund to award the "Best Fighting Spirit" award at each ISKF National Championship (noted above)
Mid-America Karate, Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization
the perpetuation of his legacy.
For those so inclined, monetary donations may be sent in his name to:
Mid-America Karate, Inc.
1020 Nottingham Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45255
Please make checks payable to Mid-America Karate, Inc.
with Sensei Golden Memorial Fund in the memo line.
When making your donation please fill out and include the form located on our
Forms Page
If it is easier, you can make your donation via PayPal using this link.
You can then email the donation form to: [email protected]
The Sensei Golden Memorial was initially set up to raise money to purchase a memorial stone in his honor. Everyone has been so generous that we raised more than enough money to honor Sensei, so we now use the revenue generated from that fund to award the "Best Fighting Spirit" award at each ISKF National Championship (noted above)
Mid-America Karate, Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization
Thank you to everyone who made this a reality!
Riverside Cemetery
3840 Sunbury Road
Columbus, Ohio 43219
Sensei Golden's memorial is located toward the back of the cemetery
3840 Sunbury Road
Columbus, Ohio 43219
Sensei Golden's memorial is located toward the back of the cemetery
Greer Golden
A Cornerstone of Shotokan Karate in America
By Howard Lebow
Download Mr. Lebow's article <HERE>
A Cornerstone of Shotokan Karate in America
By Howard Lebow
Download Mr. Lebow's article <HERE>
This link will allow you to access a copy of Sensei Golden’s Instructor Trainee papers.
These papers provide a valuable insight into his karate life.
As his karate career developed, he took the greatest pride in creating and sustaining the Mid- America Region.
The papers were collected and converted to a digital format under the direction of Sensei Tony Nakazawa
from the Alaska region.
These papers provide a valuable insight into his karate life.
As his karate career developed, he took the greatest pride in creating and sustaining the Mid- America Region.
The papers were collected and converted to a digital format under the direction of Sensei Tony Nakazawa
from the Alaska region.