SENSEI TAKAYUKI MIKAMI, 9TH DAN JKA

JKA/AF Founding & Chief Instructor

Sensei Takayuki Mikami, a native of Japan, is a graduate from the first class of the Instructor Training Program of the Japan Karate Association (JKA), the largest and most influential karate organization in the world. He became the first certified instructor sent overseas by the JKA when he moved to New Orleans in 1965 to promote Shotokan karate training in the United States.

Sensei Mikami was a formidable competitor, winning the All-Japan Championships multiple times in both kumite (free sparring) kata (forms). After this success, he focused his efforts on instruction and training his students to be the best.

Sensei Mikami developed karate training in the Southern region by creating the All South Karate Association in 1965 and hosting the annual All South Tournament in New Orleans, now the longest running traditional karate tournament in the United States. In 2008, he formed the Japan Karate Association/American Federation (JKA/AF) to better serve his members and to connect directly with the JKA World Federation in Japan.

He was promoted to 9th degree black belt in 2011 and is the highest ranked JKA master in the United States. He serves as the Senior Technical Advisor to the JKA Headquarters in Tokyo, the second highest technical position after the JKA World Federation Chief Instructor.