Sensei James Oberschlake |
Chief Instructor
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Sensei James Oberschlake started training karate in 1974 as a member of the Ohio State Shotokan Karate Club under the direction of Sensei Greer Golden. He earned the rank of Shodan in 1976. After graduating from The Ohio State University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, he returned home where he began a 30-year career teaching high school English and reading. That same year Sensei Oberschlake founded the Brown County Shotokan Karate Club. The first classes were taught in his parents’ backyard. The club moved to various locations. Then in 1980 construction was completed on the Brown County Shotokan Karate Dojo, located on Friendly Meadows Golf Course in Hamersville, Ohio. Sensei Oberschlake is extremely proud of former students who have gone on to form their own ISKF clubs. These students are Kim and Jeff Weber, founders of Shotokan Karate of Anderson, and Martin Schrager, founder of Ohio Valley Karate Club.
Sensei Oberschlake credits much of his success as a teacher to Sensei Golden. “No one connected to his students like Sensei Golden.” When he taught, every student felt like Sensei Golden was talking directly to them. Sensei Takashina, Sensei Yaguchi, and especially Okazaki Shihan are three other instructors that contributed significantly to Sensei Oberschlake’s development. Sensei Oberschlake is grateful for the kind attention of these four esteemed instructors.
Sensei Oberschlake has devoted himself to meditation, daily self-training, and teaching. He has participated in numerous regional and national camps and clinics. He is a frequent attendee at Master Camp. During the summers of 1981 and 1986, he trained at the JKA Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. He has competed in 23 National Tournaments and has several times been an alternate member of the ISKF National Team. In 2008 at the 30th ISKF National Tournament in Los Angeles, Sensei Oberschlake placed 2nd in Senior Men’s Kata and 1st in Senior Men’s Kumite.
Sensei Oberschlake has earned the rank of Hachi dan (8th Degree Black Belt). He is a licensed ISKF Level A Instructor, Examiner, and Judge. He has judged at numerous National and International Tournaments. Sensei Oberschlake is currently the President and Chief Instructor of the Mid-America Karate Region.