NYC-WTKO Headquaters

WTKO-USA

Profile: Steve Ubl 
Title: Technical Director WTKO
Grade: 7th dan

Biography:  Sensei Steve Ubl began training in Minnesota in the 1967 in the art of Tang Soo Do. In 1969 he began training in the JKA style of karate with Donald G. P. Oelrich. When living in Japan in 1972 he was fortunate to have been recognized by Nakayama sensei of the JKA for his character and talent. Taken under Nakayama sensei’s wing, Ubl sensei experienced many, many hours of private tuition with this great teacher and made copious notes from these periods of intense learning. He received his 1st dan directly from Nakayama sensei while residing at the Hoitsugan. He also received instruction from Nakayama sensei in 1974 and returned to Japan several more times between 1976 and 1977. Returning to the US , Ubl sensei entered the Japan Karate Association Instructor Training Institute under Nishiyama sensei at the JKA-US Headquarters in 1973, where, as a full-time trainee, became an instructor with the AAKF-ITKF, working daily with Nishiyama sensei.

By the late ‘70’s Ubl sensei’s ideas began to transcend regular training in any dojo and his development continued more from his own intelligent application of ideas influenced by Japan than from the various classes and training camps he also attended.

Throughout the ‘80’s and ‘90’s Ubl sensei, an intensely private individual, trained mostly alone and free from restriction. In 2004 he was persuaded to recognize the importance of sharing his knowledge by a group of dedicated karate-ka from California to Florida to Canada and in 2006 accepted the position of Technical Director and 7^th dan from the WTKO.

Return