- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1284
- Magalia, CA 95954
- PH:: 530-877-5363
- Email: [email protected]
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ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Sensei Pantoja grew up in Mazatlan, Mexico. He started training in Martial Arts when he was 12 years-old. He came from a very poor family who were unable to afford karate lessons. Sensei Pantoja would clean the Dojo in place of paying for his training. During his training in Mazatlan, Sensei Pantoja won 1st place in numerous karate tournaments in Mexico, making him well known in his country for his expertise in Martial Arts. It was in Mexico that Sensei Pantoja achieved his 3rd degree black belt certificate under the training of West Coast Shotokan Karate Association- Sensei Juan Salazar, Shihan Ed Hamile. Nearly 15 years ago, Sensei Pantoja came to the United States to train with the world renown Master Kenneth Funakoshi. He participated in over 6 world karate tournaments held by Master Funakoshi in San Jose, California. Sensei Pantoja actively taught karate in the San Jose area including: Young Americans karate taught through The Boys and Girls Club of America. Sensei Pantoja's first karate dojo was located near Vine/Alma in the gang ridden part of San Jose where he taught over 30 students, Many who are presently black belts. Sensei Pantoja has recently relocated to Northern California. He has recently opened his karate dojo in Magalia, CA... a small community town where there is a growing population of adolescents. This community presently has very little if any programs in place to offer to its youth Hopefully, his new dojo will help motivate the lives of the energetic children who reside there. Sensei Pantoja has most recently won Grand Champion Black Belt competition in Redding, Ca: Participating in 3 tournaments in No. Cal winning two-1st place and 1- 2nd place in Black Belt Kata Division. Sensei Pantoja's dream is to continue teaching karate to men, women and especially children. His concern is that one of the major problems of today's youth is that they are lacking an outlet in which to express themselves. While most families are either single parent, or both parents working full-time, children are at risk of growing up with too much "free" time on their hands. Sensei Pantoja believes that by getting kids involved in karate: 1) Karate will teach kids a valuable skill towards protecting themselves against violence. 2) Karate will teach kids self discipline, self control, and improve their mental and physical awareness. 3) Karate will teach kids about hard work, commitment, and achievement.
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