Sensei Glenn Goertz
Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt)

    Sensei Glenn Goertz began his training of Okinawan Karate in Wichita, Kansas in 1964 under Sensei Tom Joyce of Matsumura Seito Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do under Fusei Kise. Shortly after Sensei Goertz attained the rank of brown belt, he joined the U.S. Department of Defense and was sent overseas.

    From 1965-1969 Sensei Goertz trained under such Masters as Shian Toma (founder of Seidokan Karate), Eizo Shimaburkuro (founder of Shobayashi Shorin-Ryu Karate), and Seikichi Uehara of Motobu-Ryu Udunti. During this time Sensei Goertz competed in two Okinawan full contact tournaments. Learning from mistakes he made in the first tournament , Sensei Goertz finished fourth on his second attempt. Before leaving Okinawa, Sensei Goertz earned the rank of Sandan(3rd degree black belt) in Seidokan Karate.

    At the end of 1969, Sensei Goertz was transferred to Vinh Long, Vietnam. Sensei Goertz wanted to continue his training. So he looked for an Okinawan Karate dojo, but there were none. After months of searching and wanting formal training, Sensei Goertz joined a Taekwondo school where he earned 1st degree black belt from Master Choi Hong Hi.

    In 1973, Sensei Goertz moved to Da Lat, Vietnam. There he met a Shaolin Kung Fu Master named Ling Pao Po, and trained with him for 18 months. While living in Vietnam, Sensei Goertz would periodically travel back to Okinawa to continue his training of Okinawan Karate.

    In 1975 Sensei returned to the states and pursued his dream of passing on the art of Okinawan Karate. Sensei stated his first class at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. Shortly after that Sensei opened his first dojo. To honor his Sensei Toma, he named it "Toma Karate Dojo". Sensei Toma sent his nephew Tamae Shigemitsu to help organize and set up the Seidokan association in the Untied States. Sensei Goertz was named VP over the association. Sensei Shigemitsu stayed with Sensei Goertz for 6 months and trained everyday for about 3 hours outside of class time.

    In 1979 Sensei joined the Ryukyu Kempo Karate Association lead by Master Taiki Oyata. Master Oyata lived in Kansas City area and had former ties with Masters Uehara, Toma. Sensei Goertz received the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt) and also received a "Menjo" from Master Oyata.

     After many years of training, Sensei Goertz was still not satisfied in his pursuit to have the most powerful Okinawan Karate. In 1991 he traveled back to Okinawa to continue his journey to find the most powerful style. After visiting and talking to Toma, Kise and Uehara, Sensei Goertz was told of a dojo named "Seibukan". Seibukan dojo was highly recognized throughout Okinawa. Sensei Zenpo Shimabukuro (10th Dan Supreme Sensei of Seibukan Karate) welcomed Sensei Goertz into the association. In 2000, Sensei Goertz received his Yondan(4th degree black belt) with the International Seibukan Karate-Do Association, in 2004 received his Godan (5th degree), and recently (2008) received his Rokudan (6th degree black belt).

    Sensei Goertz is well respected and recognized in the Wichita area. He has Always been known to have the strongest students when going to tournaments. Sensei Goertz is currently teaching and the Head Sensei of the Seibukan Branch of Kansas.

Sensei James D. Goertz
Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt)