About Shihan Robert W. Fleck

Shihan Fleck began martial arts training with a judo class at the University of Massachusetts in 1972. He began the path of Karate-do in 1988 under the instruction of Sensei Jesse Knowles, founder of Tenzan Karate-do (Sensei's own style, developed from his experiences in Koei-kan, Kyokoshin and other styles). Sensei Knowles founded the Hollis Karate Club, the predecessor of the Souhegan Valley Karate Club (SVKC) of Brookline, NH. Sensei Knowles presented Mr. Fleck with the rank of Shodan prior to his moving to Atlanta, GA. And Shihan has since been promoted to Godan in Tenzan Karate-do.

In 1991, Shihan Fleck began training under Hanshi Richie Bernard of the House of the Samurai in Londonderry, NH where he continues to train and teach today. Under Hanshi Bernard's guidance, Shihan has grown to where today he wears the rank of Godan in Shorin Ryu Karate-do and in Goju Ryu Karate-do, in addition to the Nidan in Tenzan. Hanshi Bernard presented Mr. Fleck with the Shihan instructor's title in 2003 and as well as making Shihan a member of Uchi Deshi in Okinawan Karate-do through Shidokan International, a licensed organization through the Ministry of Education in Japan.

Formerly the Director/Head Instructor of the SVKC, Shihan Fleck has been very fortunate to be able to share the knowledge of the arts that he continues to gain, as an instructor at the House of the Samurai, and as the former Director/Head Instructor of the SVKC. The club is a certified, licensed Ryu-Ha martial arts school, requiring maintenance of very high standards. The club offers instruction in Shorin-ryu, Goju-ryu, Kobudo and Iaido. Shihan Fleck is currently special advisor to the club.

Shihan Fleck has been the recipient of the Instructor of the Year, Coach of Year and Master Instructor of the Year awards at the House of the Samurai. He was also the National Champion, Goju Kata at the 2000 AAU National Karate Championships. Shihan Fleck states that "My greatest achievements have been to bestow various dan ranks upon my students. I believe karate-do is a life-long commitment that brings people together to grow and to share experiences along the mountain path. The goal of my journey is to enjoy the beauty that is found along the mountain path, not in attaining the mountaintop. The greatest beauty is in watching other karateka as they begin to discover this secret."