About
Japan Karate Institute: tradition, lineage, and community
Japan Karate Institute was officially founded in 1985 in Goose Creek, South Carolina by Shihan Dale A. Coker. Our mission is simple: teach karate in a way that builds confidence, discipline, and character—while keeping training safe, structured, and family-friendly.
Founder & lineage
- Founded: 1985 (Goose Creek, SC). The dojo was originally named Nippon Kokusai Karate Center and changed in 1994.
- Training began: 1971 under Nida Soke Ronald C. Woodard (under Soke Kiyohisa Hirano).
- Instructor development: JIKC Instructors Academy graduate; took over the first JIKC dojo in the USA (Birmingham, AL) in 1974.
- Rank & title: Promoted to Hachidan (8th Degree) in 2012 and received the title of Shihan from Sensei Ronnie Woodard.
Competition & international training
- 1974: 1st place Kumite at the JIKC USA Nationals (“Tournament of Champions”).
- Honolulu, HI: Selected to represent Team USA JIKC; earned 1st place Kumite Champion at the JIKC International Tournament of Champions.
- Japan: Traveled to Yokohama (1992) to teach and train for ~1 month; visited the Japan Karate Association Shotokan Headquarters and the Kodokan (world HQ of Judo).
- Additional study: Judo, Jyu-Jitsu, Shotokan, Shorin-Ryu, Iaido, and Muay Thai—while actively pursuing Wado-Ryu.
Teaching impact
- Trained thousands of students—including many black belts and instructors.
- Helped produce tournament champions at regional and national levels (with some international competition involvement).
- Helped found 25+ JKI locations across South Carolina and North Carolina.
Shihan Dale often says he’d rather simply be called Sensei Dale.
Today
Sensei Dale has resided in Chiang Mai, Thailand since 2010 and remains active in practicing and teaching karate. He also enjoys mountain biking in the hills of Chiang Mai.
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