Dr. G. Rod Erfani, Ph.D.
Dr. Erfani has been the President and Chief Instructor of the
Kentucky Shotokan Karate Association (KSKA) and the instructor of
Transylvania University Karate Club since 1986. He is an
internationally certified Instructor, Examiner, and Tournament Judge by
the Japan Karate Association (JKA).
Sensei Erfani is a graduate of
the JKA's Instructor Training Program with a class C level Instructor,
a class D level Examiner; and a class C level Tournament Judge.
Sensei Erfani served as the USA Junior Team Coach at the 2006 World
Karate Championships (World Shoto Cup), sponsored by the Japan Karate
Association in Sydney, Australia..
Brief Biography of Club Instructor:
Sensei Erfani began his karate training in the early 1970s. In the
1970s and 1980s, he practiced under Mr. Shigeru Takashina
(JKA/ISKF-South Atlantic Region) and Mr. Takayuki Mikami
(JKA/ISKF-Southern Region). In 1986, Sensei Erfani started the karate
club at Transylvania University in Lexington, KY, as a member of the
Mid-America Karate Region (JKA/ISKF), under the direction of Sensei
Greer Golden. He is also the President and Chief Instructor of the
Kentucky Shotokan Karate Association (KSKA). Dr. Erfani funded the KSKA
in 1986. Since 2007, the KSKA is nationally affiliated with the
Shotokan Karate-Do International (JKA/SKDI), headquartered in New York,
New York. The SKDI's chief instructor, Master Masataka Mori (9th Dan,
JKA) directs many regions throughout the Americas. The KSKA is also a
member of the Japan Karate Association (JKA), an international
organization with member clubs in over 100 countries. The JKA has its
headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
Sensei Erfani trained at the JKA Headquarters in Tokyo under many
great karate masters such as Masahiko Tanaka, Masaaki Ueki, Yoshiharu
Osaka, and Takenori Imura.
Dr. Erfani is a Professor of Economics at Transylvania University in
Lexington, Kentucky. He has made professional presentations throughout
the United States and in many foreign countries. His current research
interests are in the fields of international trade, international
finance, and economic development. His hobbies include classical
guitar, Flamenco music, and foreign travel.
Sensei Erfani served as USA Junior Team Coach at the World Shoto Cup
in Sydney, Australia, World Karate-do Championships sponsored by the
Japan Karate Association in 2006.
Technical Director
Sensei Pete Erfani -- An internationally certified JKA (Japan Karate Association) Instructor, Judge, and Examiner.
Sensei Pete Erfani is an instructor at the JKA-Shotokan Karate-Do International headquarters dojo in New York City.
Other instructors/black belts include:
Tatsuun ( Li) Ryu 2001 ISKF/US National Champion-Kumite)
Rachel Angers (Ryu)
Rod A. Erfani Former USA Junior Team Member, 2004 -2006
USA Junior Team, World Shoto Cup, Sydney, Australia, 2006
Sara Erfani Former USA Junior Team Member, 2004 -2006
USA Junior Team, World Shoto Cup, Sydney, Australia, 2006
Mike Butz (black belt)
Dr. David Adkins (black belt)
Blake Bennett (black belt)
Dr. Terri Samuel (black belt)
Leslie Erfani (black belt)
Sonia Erfani (black belt), Former USA Junior Team Member, 1996 and 1997
Anne DeBecker (black belt)
Jasmine Adkins (black belt)
James Miller (black belt)
Jack D McKinney (black belt)
Dr. Scott Morehead (black belt)
Karen Bennett (black belt)
Dawn DeBrocco (black belt)
Suzie Erfani (black belt), Former USA Junior Team Member, 2004 -2006
Sheila Erfani (black belt), Former USA Junior Team Member, 2004 -2006
Dr. Annadora Bruce-Keller (black belt)
Dr. Emily Lutterloh (black belt)
