THE AJKA-I EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

"We must remember that our members are interested in karate’s relevance to their lives in the real world – not the karate world. They want to study with enthusiastic, well trained instructors who are able to bring out the best in them as individuals. They want to learn an effective and serious form of self-defense that is also a demanding and exacting traditional art. Finally, those that compete want to be exposed to fair, intense and challenging competition.
The goal of the AJKA-I is to meet these expectations."
--Edmond Otis
The AJKA-I is an international independent JKA Style Shotokan Karate Association.

LESLIE SAFAR- 9^th DAN
INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
AJKA-I CHIEF INSTRUCTOR - EUROPE

EDMOND OTIS- 7^th DAN
INTERNATIONAL CHAIRMAN
AJKA-I CHIEF INSTRUCTOR - NORTH AMERICA

Leslie Safar, AJKA-I co-founder, has practiced Shotokan karate since 1958. He is well known on both sides of the Atlantic for his mastery as an instructor, his intense focus on the core technical principles of Shotokan Karate, and the development of instructor training programs dedicated to building the total instructor. Sensei Safar tours the United States on a regular basis, but spends the majority of his time teaching, directing, and developing AJKA-I karate in Hungary, and throughout Europe.
Visit http://americanjka.org/ to find out more about the AJKA in Hungary and Europe, or write Sensei Safar directly at: safar.laszlo@americanjka.org to contact him.

Edmond Otis has practiced Shotokan karate since 1967, and is internationally known as a competitor, instructor, coach, and judge. Sensei Otis is acclaimed for his innovative and dynamic teaching style, and is considered by many to be one of the premier karate instructors of his generation. He has trained numerous individuals and teams to national and international championships, and travels extensively for the AJKA-I, conducting seminars that focus on all aspects of karate practice.
Visiting Southern California? Train with Sensei Otis at the University of California, Riverside (www.karate.ucr.edu) or at the Carlsbad Karate Club. You can contact him directly by calling 760.612.7029, or write him at: Otis@AmericanJKA.com

RANDALL HASSELL - 8^th DAN
PRESIDENT
Randall Hassell, AJKA-I co-founder and President, is a world-renowned author and martial arts scholar who began training in 1960. He has written over two dozen books and 100 articles on the history, training and philosophy of traditional karate, and brings to our association a world of experience and wisdom. Hassell is Chief Instructor of the American Shotokan Karate Alliance (ASKA) and President of Damashi Publications, a book publishing and video production company in St. Lewis. Located in Missouri, Sensei Hassell can be reached at rhassell@ShotokanCentral.com.

NICK PALISE - 6^th DAN
SENIOR NATIONAL ADVISOR
Nick Palise, AJKA-I Senior National Advisor, has practiced JKA style Shotokan karate since 1965, and is founder and president of the Michigan Karate Association. His experience and deep knowledge of the technical, financial and organizational aspects of traditional karate practice allows him to serve a unique role as mentor and advisor to AJKA instructors, clubs and senior black-belts. Located in Michigan, Sensei Palise can be reached at mkamich@comcast.net .

AVI AZOULAY - 6th DAN
NATIONAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Avi Azoulay, AJKA-I National Technical Committee, has practiced Shotokan karate since 1972. A respected instructor in Israel, he championed the Israel Open Karate Championships 2 consecutive years in a row. Azoulay moved to the United States in 1985 and began teaching and competing. In 1987 he established the American JKA of New York, where he teaches today, and in 1989 won 2 silver medals at World Maccabiah. Azoulay is known for high technical level and his understanding of all aspects of Shotokan karate. Sensei Azoulay can be reached directly at azoulay5@optonline.net.

ANTHONY DESARDI - 6^th DAN
NATIONAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Tony Desardi, with over 30 years of training, has devoted a lifetime to Karate. His extensive experience as a successful international competitor, former national champion, and coach, in addition to decades of teaching and leadership experience have made him a highly respected member of the international Karate community. Located in Illinois, Sensei DeSardi can be reached at midwestshotokan@aol.com.

ROBERT MYLES, M.D. - 5^th DAN
NATIONAL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Robert Myles, AJKA-I National Technical Committee, has over 25 years of traditional martial-arts experience. In addition to being known for his excellent technique and explosive kicking abilities, he is also a world renowned orthopedic spine surgeon. Sensei Myles combines his thorough understanding of classic shotokan principles with his in depth knowledge of body dynamics and mechanics to create a unique martial arts resource for the AJKA. Located in Texas, Sensei Myles can be reached at myles@AmericanJKA.com.

DAVID GOMEZ - 4^th DAN
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR
David Gomez, AJKA-I media and communications advisor, has studied Shotokan Karate since 1978, and is chief instructor of the Georgia Karate Academy. Well known for his quality of teaching, he is also an accomplished graphic artist, author, multimedia producer, and desktop publisher who primarily uses his talents to create karate-related educational books and multimedia. Located in Georgia, Sensei Gomez can be reached at gka2@bellsouth.net.