About HDKI USA

Executive Committee

David Pope - USA Technical Director - Hirano-Ha Karate Do Association
410 Crestview Circle Montevallo, Al 35115
Phone:  205-283-0781
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required

Riva Tarnopolsky -  Riva’s Shotokan Karate-Do
1910 Cochran Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
Phone: 412-660-3451
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Website: http://rivashotokan.com/

Nataliya Pidkovka - Nashville Shotokan Karate Club
3967 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37211, United States
Phone: 615-566-7178
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Website: https://nashvilleshotokankarate.club/

Andrew Perpich - Shotokan Karate of Ellwood
Address 431 Lawrence Ave, Ellwood City, PA 16117
Phone: (724) 494-9353
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Kyu & Dan Examinations

All Kyu examinations are the sole responsibility of the national group. Whilst each country may have unique national requirements to fulfil, the HDKI strongly recommend the use of the official HDKI grading syllabus, so seamless transition to the HDKI Dan examinations can be facilitated. Groups are free to regulate Kyu examinations as they see fit, however, a process of examiner qualification is recommended that fits in with the overall HDKI Examiner Qualification process.
All Dan examinations are regulated and processed by the HDKI Headquarters. Any instructor who is fourth Dan or above may qualify as a HDKI Dan Examiner. It is expected that all Dan examinations take place on special, pre-assigned Dan Exam seminars, ensuring the graduation process is befitting to the occasion. An exam panel is encouraged whereby a number of senior instructors are invited to give feedback on candidates. These seniors may or may not be Dan Examiners as the officially qualified examiner has the final say.

Examiner Status

D Rank                 This allows individuals to grade up to 1st kyu and is governed by the national body.

C Rank                  Suitable candidates (at least 4th Dan) must present a research paper on aspects of the Shodan Syllabus. Successful candidates will be allowed to grade up to 1st Dan.

B Rank                  Suitable candidates (at least 5th Dan) must present four research papers on topics determined by the Chief Technical Director. Successful candidates will be allowed to grade up to 2nd Dan.

A Rank                 Suitable candidate (at least 6th Dan) must spend an extended period (at least one month) at the HDKI Headquarters participating in Instructors’ Training. Research papers must also be written. Successful candidates will be allowed to grade up to 3rd Dan.

A+ Rank               Certain individuals who have shown a deep understanding of and commitment to the HDKI will be awarded A+ Rank which will allow them to grade beyond 3rd Dan.

Events

Member dojo of HDKI USA are free to invite instructors, regardless of style or affiliation, to their dojo. Where possible, we encourage dojo heads to share information regarding seminars and allow students to avail of training and courses. Each year, in collaboration with HDKI Canada and HDKI Mexico, we run a summer camp, where senior HDKI instructors lead the gasshuku. As well as this, HDKI USA hold regular seminars with Scott Langley and other visiting instructors throughout the USA.

The HDKI has a number of international events that HDKI USA members can attend. Twice yearly, there are week-long, intensive training camps at the headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. They are free to attend. There is also the HDKI International cup once every two years as well as an organized trip to Japan with Scott Langley, every 18 months.

Membership Process

Any group wishing to join the HDKI should contact a committee member directly. They should provide a brief resume of their senior instructors and at the same time address any queries they may have. They should inform the Executive Committee how they wish the community to support them and investigate how they can develop within the community.   All new members will have a probationary period of one year where both the Committee and the new members can adjust and develop to the organization’s growth.

If, after a year, the affiliation is not mutually beneficial, the Chief Technical Director can terminate membership. However, once affiliates have passed the probationary period, all disagreements must be rectified privately by the Executive Committee.  Affiliated members can only be expelled with a two-third majority of the Executive Committee. In cases no majority is reached, the Chief Technical Director of HDKI will act as the tiebreaker.

Individual membership is possible, but only through an existing HDKI affiliated dojo. Please contact dojos directly.

Dojo Contact List

Alabama

HDKI USA – USA Technical Director David Pope

Hirano Ha Dojo – Chief Instructor David Pope
Hirano-Ha Karate Do Association
410 Crestview Circle Montevallo, Al 35115
Phone:  205-283-0781
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required

Hirano Ha Dojo of Trussville – Chief Instructor Ronald Shin
Hirano Ha Karate Do Association
3521 Vann Road, Suite 113, Trussville, AL 35235
Phone: 205-807-2935
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
http://www.hka-t.com/

Ohio

HDKI USA – Ohio Technical Director Jane Curry

HDKI OHIO

Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
513-510-9656

Tennessee

HDKI USA – Tennessee Technical Director Denise Bradley

Shotokan Karate Fitness – Chief Instructor Denise Bradley
1805 South Bell Ave. Paris, TN 38242
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/shotokankaratefitness/
Phone: 731-336-8379 Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required

Nashville Shotokan Karate Club – Chief Instructor Nataliya Pidkovka, PhD
3967 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37211
Phone: 615-566-7178
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Website: https://nashvilleshotokankarate.club/

Massachusetts

HDKI USA – Vazrik Chiloyan Massachusetts Technical Director

Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required

Phone: 857-334-3456

Location – Boston area universities

Michigan

Michigan

HDKI USA – Michigan Technical Director Robert Nearon

HDKI Michigan – Chief Instructor Roberto Nearon
7150 W. Vernor, Detroit (MI), 48209
(313) 565-8132

Pennsylvania

HDKI USA – Pennsylvania Technical Director Riva Tarnopolsky

Riva’s Shotokan Karate-Do Martial Arts & Fitness in Pittsburgh, PA
Chief Instructor Riva Tarnopolsky
1910 Cochran Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Phone: 412-660-3451
Website: http://rivashotokan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RivaShotokan

Shotokan Karate of Ellwood
Chief Instructor Andrew Perpich
Address: 431 Lawrence Ave, Ellwood City, PA 16117
Phone: (724) 494-9353
Facebook Page
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Shotokan Karate of Williamsport
Chief Instructor Vance Cohick
Address: Trinity Episcopal Church, 844 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: (570) 651-2251
Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/shotokankarateofwilliamsport/home

California

HDKI USA – California Affiliated

Wayne Cottle

at 6920 Miramar Road Suite 105, San Diego, CA