 John has 25+ years of martial arts experience. He holds black belts in 4 different styles of TaeKwonDo which is a Korean. He holds a 2nd degree black belt in Gojo-Shorei Ryu, a Japanese style and a black belt in Gojo Shorei Jitsu Ryu (4th Degree). He has dabbled in many styles including JuJitsu, Kempo, Aikido, Kung Fu, Wing Chun, and Kali. This has given him much diversification in the martial arts world, especially when it comes to self-defense.
John has been associated with Sharkey's Karate Studio in Naperville, IL for about 10 years now. Sharkey's Karate teaches Shorei Ryu which is a "sister" style of Gojo-Shorei Ryu. John started as a black belt student and soon become a regular instructor. For about 6 years he competed in martial arts tournaments earning him the title of National Champion in the AKA Circuit for 3 years. John assisted Sensei Ray Boyer with law enforcement trainings including FBI agents, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Border Patrol, and Police Officers. He has assisted with 9/11 trainings for flight attendants and pilots, corporate trainings, and local public school trainings/demos. John has taught one-on-one lessons as well as group trainings. Through-out his years of training at Sharkey's Karate he has received numerous awards, including "Most Valuable Coach", "Best Instructor", "Sparring National Champion", "Traditional Forms National Champion", just to name a few.
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Keith has been studying and training martial arts for 21 years. He started training at a mere 3 years old. Keith's first style of martial arts was Shotokan Karate. He studied this system until he was about 10 years old. Keith moved on to study various styles. Over his years of training, Keith has earned Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do (WTF System) and Chinese Kempo. He has also trained in Wushu and Shorei-Ryu Karate. With his love for the martial arts, he is continually seeking knowledge and training various techniques.
Over the years, Keith has instructed classes as well as taught one-on-one. He has extensive training in sparring, self-defense, and creative forms, which includes gymnastics training. Keith has performed in half-time shows for the Saint Louis Cardinals and the Saint Louis Rams.
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Grand Master Shinan Julio Ortiz Ph.D
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He was born on October 30th of 1942 in Guayama, Puerto Rico. At the age of 10 and under the instruction of Seito Yoshimura Dr. Ortiz learns Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu and Tai-Jutsu. His teaching career begins in 1962 at the Bronx New York Park District, and by 1974 Shinan Ortiz had developed his own style, which he named Yama-Jutsu Ryu (Mountain Art System) named after the Mountains In Puerto Rico. His style focused in joint locks, chokes, grappling, throws and take downs and only taught this system to a selected few, but by 1983 brought the system completely out teaching anyone that wanted to learn. Grand Master Shinan Julio Ortiz has taught in various places throughout the New York and Chicago area including, various Y.M.C.A and Boys Club, taught a woman self-defense class at the Association House in Chicago, and the Security and Safety Training Institute.
Shinan Ortiz has trained with several Masters and currently holds black belts in different systems; Shotokan with Master Eddie Griffen, Tang Soo Do with Master John Sullivan, Hapikdo with Master Chin and Shorei-Goju with Master Jerry Weiss. He has a PhD in the Philosophy of the Martial Arts awarded to him by the American Karate Association (A.K.A) on October 27th of 2001. He also has been inducted into the following Hall of Fames: A.K.A Hall of Fame on October 26th 2002, the A.K.A Warriors Cup Hall Of Fame on April 12th 2003; the Ruby Camacho Hall of Fame In Puerto Rico on February 25th 2005 where he was also granted the title of Grand Master; and the U.S.A Martial Arts Hall of Fame on May 21st 2005.
In 2003 with the influences from Shorei-Goju, Yoshin Ryu, Tai-Jutsu, and Hapkido Grand Master Julio Ortiz combined it with his system Yama-Jutsu Ryu, and re-named the system Shorei-Goju Jutsu; a mixed Martial Arts focusing on all aspects of striking using any part of your body, restraining opponents with joint locks, chokes and grappling moves, and disposing of opponents with throwing techniques and takedowns. He also founded the Tai-Ki Karate Jutsu Institute.
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