ATLANTA INSTRUCTORS

Master Instructor

Shihan Tsutomo Takahashi - 6th Dan

Shihan Tsutomo Takahashi is the Branch Chief and Master Instructor for the USA Oyama Karate Atlanta Branch. He opened The Atlanta Oyama Karate - Takahashi Dojo in 1998 and has been teaching throughout the North Metro Atlanta area in Sandy Springs, GA for many years. Shihan Takahashi has over 40 years of experience training and teaching full contact Karate to students with various backgrounds and levels of experience.

Shihan Takahashi began his martial arts career training in Kyokushin Karate under Shihan Yuzo Goda, current Executive Advisor & International Committee Chairman, of the IKO Kyokushinkaikan, and then later moved to the United States at age 17 to became a 1st generation Uchi Deshi under Soshi Yasuhiko Saiko Shihan Oyama in Birmingham Alabama for 6 years from 1979 to 1985. He is a former Middleweight and Heavyweight Champion and he has trained many students and competitors to compete and win several tournament competitions, both in the United States and in Japan.

In addition to his 6th Degree rank in World Oyama Karate, Shihan Takahashi holds a 2nd black belt in Kyokushin Karate, and a 1st Degree black belt in Judo. 

" We train hard and expect each other to train hard. We are not competing with each other, but we compete with ourselves to be the very best we can be. We help and push each other to succeed. The only thing you need to do is show up and just sweat. We will take care of the rest."  - Shihan Takahashi

Instructor

Senpai Chase Harps - 2nd Dan

Senpai J.Chase Harps started training at the Atlanta World Oyama Karate - Takahashi Dojo in Atlanta, GA in 2006 and has been has been training for 18 years under Shihan Tsutomo Takahashi. Before joining the World Oyama Karate Organization, Senpai Chase trained in Goju Shorei - Ryu Okinawan Karate and Shorinji Kempo. While studying abroad in Osaka, Japan, he started full contact karate training in Seido KaiKaikan Karate., and after his undergraduate studies, he moved to Shikoku, Japan to teach English on the JET Program and trained in Kyokushin Karate in Ehime-Prefecture, Imabari City. After returning to the United States, he relocated to Birmingham, Alabama and  trained for 3 years at the Honbu Dojo of World Oyama Karate under Saiko Shihan Yasuhiko Oyama.

In 2017 Senpai Chase won the All Japan Cup Heavyweight Championship in Yokohama, Japan. In 2018, he was invited to join Saiko Shihan Oyama and several senior Shihans to participate in conducting the Russia Branch Training Clinic and Instructional Seminar for Shihan Karius Vyacheslav Vitoldovich in St. Petersburg, Russia. Senpai Chase is also certified in Functional Range Conditioning and a Stick Mobility Instructor.

" Training is not easy - but that's why we come here. Whatever your goal is, whether it's to get in better shape, become a tournament champion, or just to learn a martial art and rank advance, commit - go all out for at least 6 months. Don't give yourself an excuse. Keep showing up, keep sweating, and just say 'Osu!' After a few months you will see changes. You will notice a difference. " - Senpai Chase