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              About Our Instructors

 

        Shihan Kevin Huunjin Cullen

NW. Ohio's only Internationally accredited 10th Degree Black Belt with Soke credentials

 

The Academy exists under the leadership of Grandmaster Kevin Huunjin Cullen, a superior martial artist and educator. He has been involved in the arts for over 36 years. We believe that the level at which you teach and the depth of knowledge you posses are a direct result of who you trained with and your martial arts lineage. Huunjin has trained directly with many legends of Goju. He trained for 13 years under the auspices of and received his black belt from his karate father Gosei Yamaguchi (Son of the Cat Gogen). Making Gogen (the original leader of all organized karate in Japan, the first person in history to receive 10th Dan - see Guiness book of world records 1976 under the sport heading, and the man responsible for the creation of sport karate) his karate Grandfather and Chojun Miyagi (The creator of Goju and the person responsible for the name karate) his karate Great Grandfather.

Huunjin also trained under Motoo Yamakura, past all Japan kumite champion who toured the pro fight circuit with Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee for a year and won the prestigious Henry Cho tournament in Madison Square Garden. Yamakura, who was the first person ever granted citizenship in the US by an act of congress to teach hand to hand to our army special forces named Sensei Cullen "Huunjin" which when explained means "an almost mythical character, as the story is told he is a lone Samurai who stands at the bottom of a valley surrounded by thousands of samurai - he defeats them and and saves the village ..He is the dark cloud man" GM Cullen has also trained with Hidetaka Nishiyam, Tureo Chinen and many more.

Shihanke Huunjin holds the following ranks in the martial arts: 10 th Degree Black Belt, Soke and Grandmaster in Ateru Goju-Ryu Karate-Jutsu (AWA, ISF, ISC, KBMA, KIKA, USMA, UMAHoF, WUS), 8th Degree Black Belt in San Ryu Do Iaido and Swords &, International Rank Examiner and Referee in CSW (ISF), 6th Degree Black Belt in Nippon Yawara Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu Renmei and a 2nd Degree Black Belt and Rank Examiner in Ju Jitsu (USMA). He is the Founder and Chairman of ateruworldwideassociation.com.

Huunjin travels the world teaching his 5 hand system to military and law enforcement professionals as well as sharing his standout traditional Goju training with eager students everywhere. He has trained many national and international traditional karate champions, wrestling state champions and is co-owner of Team Predator MMA Elite cage fighting team. Grandmaster Cullen is also a featured instructor on the Martial Oceans shipboard seminar series, and a member of the Mondo Silente' stealth deep diving team.

On the Education Side: He holds a Bachelor Degree in Japanese Language and Culture, a Bachelor Degree in Communication & Marketing (Summa Cum Laude) and a MBA in Leadership and Organization (Top 5% of his class). He is a past professor having taught classes at the local University as well as Salem International University and lectures on International Business and the Japanese Culture.

Renshi Rhett Butler

Sensei Butler holds a 3rd degree black belt and carrys Renshi teaching credentials. Renshi is the first of three escalating teaching certificates. It stands for Master Teacher.  He has been a student of Grandmaster Cullen for 20 years. He knows the Goju system well and is trained to instruct MMA, Goju, Ju Jitsu and Self Defense Classes.  Sensei Butler is great with students of all ages. Having conquered more than one debilitating disease, he can empathize with those students who may face physical or health challenges. He is an inspiration to us all and we are blessed to have him aboard.

Sensei Butler assists Shihan Cullen in teaching both kids and adult classes and curriculum.  He  keeps traditional karate practice alive and well in the classroom.

Sensei David A. Haas  

 Sensei Haas began his training some twenty years ago when Mr. Cullen first opened his Findlay dojo at the Findlay Health and Racquet club. Sensei Haas was Shihan's right hand man for many many years until he took a sabbatical. He has since returned and adds a very strong traditional element to our teaching staff. He will be co teaching some of the Academy's adult classes with Shihan. The two work together well and classes with these two instructors will prove to be challenging and energetic.

ATERU GOJU RYU SCHOOL OF KARATE FREMONT, OH.

Renshi James Kindle

Sensei Kindle began his training some twenty five years ago when Mr. Cullen was still teaching at the old Fremont Goju Ryu. He is a 5th Degree black belt and Renshi which he received from Shihan Cullen himself. The big man is a very dedicated student of the art of Goju and has really set his sights on learning every aspect of Ateru Goju Ryu from Shihan. Classes are held at Pontifex on State St. in Fremont OH on Monday and Friday evenings. This school shows great potential in a town known for its martial arts. You will also run into him on Saturday mornings at the Hombu as he heads down once a week to further his AGRKJ

 

 

ATERU GOJU RYU SCHOOL OF KARATE ATLANTA, GA.

 

    Renshi Mark Robinson

 

6th Degree Black Belt Goju-Ryu and Combat Specialist – Senior Software Programmer for Calphalon.

Mark Robinson has been a student of Goju for over 19 years and has taught many seminars on the combat aspects of no-nonsense Goju technique application. He carries A Menkyo Kaiden as well as Renshi teaching credentials (Senior Expert). Mark Robinson has always been a hard core warrior and a thoughtful sensei and is in the process of securing a facility and opening an Ateru Goju school in the greater Atlanta area. We wish him much success. He will occasionally teach from time to time when he stops by to visit Shihan.

 

ATERU GOJU RYU SCHOOL OF KARATE ST. MARY'S, PA.

                                                                                                                                      

     Renshi Larr Etzler

Sensei Etzler holds a 4th Degree Black Belt with MENKYO KAIDEN AND Renshi Teaching Credentials in Ateru Goju Ryu. Although Mr. Etzler is currently establishing a dojo in Pennsylvania, he remains on staff and instructs often while visiting the Findlay area. He is well versed in Goju, Ju Jitsu, Yogalates, Self Defense and has worked with Grandmaster Cullen one on one for over ten years.

He is great with both adults and kids, is a family man. Although Renshi Larr has moved to Pennsylvania to open an Academy there, he is still remains part of our staff and teaches when he is in the Findlay, Ohio area.