Gavin Armstrong – SHUKOKAI KARATE

Come and visit our Dojo! You'll instantly recognize that our warm and friendly environment is different than most martial arts schools. Our goal is not only to make you feel at home in our dojo, but to make you feel like part of our family from the very first class.

GAVIN ARMSTRONG – Chief Instructor, Shihan Gavin Armstrong, 7th Dan, began his training in 1974 in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where he was born. His first instructor, Des Botes (5th Dan), was one of Sensei Kimura’s top students. Sensei Gavin was awarded Shodan in 1977 when he also won the Rhodesian Shukokai Championships. He also competed in South Africa as a junior competing in the adult divisions. He was awarded Nidan in 1978. He joined Sensei Kimura at his Hackensack, New Jersey Dojo in 1981. Sensei Gavin was awarded the honor of Shihan in 2023.

Shihan Gavin Armstrong lived in Shihan Kimura's Dojo for many years as "Uchi Deshi". He ran the Dojo and taught classes until 1995 when Sensei Kimura passed away.