WTKO Executive Committee
WTKO EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
John J. Mullin
Sensei Mullin began his karate training in 1960. He was a member of the JKA/ITKF US National Team for 5 years, from 1980 through 1984, and a former US Open National Champion. In 1985, while living and training in Japan, he won the All Styles Karate Championship in Yokohama. In 1994 he was recognized as “Instructor of The Year” by The Karate Voice a national karate publication. In 2002 he won the JSKA World Championship, in Germany, veterans kata division.
He is a member of the faculty of the Karate Instructor Certificate Program at Long Island University, New York. He is also a contributing author in Karate Martial Art and Sport along with Milorad V. Stricevic, M.D. Associate Dean, School of Health Professions.
Sensei Mullin is the Chief Instructor of the JKA Karate Staten Island and was awarded “A” class Certified Instructor in the JKA Shotokan Karate-do America, the governing body for JKA karate in the United States. After a 42 year career in the JKA, Sensei Mullin decided on a new direction; along with a number of senior instructors founded the World Traditional Karate Organization (WTKO).
WTKO CHIEF INSTRUCTOR
Richard Amos
Born in England in 1963, Richard Amos sensei began karate at the age of 10. Occasionally teaching from as young as 15, he was invited onto the KUGB Junior National Karate Team when he 18 years old. By the age of 23 he had competed for England all over Europe gaining many Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in numerous championships.
After a brief spell in New York from 1986 to 1988, he then went to Japan to train at the headquarters of the Japan Karate Association. He stayed 10 years. During that time he completed the 3-year JKA Instructors Program, being only the second Westerner ever to do so in its 50-year history. He placed second or third in the All-Japan Championships several times during a period when no non-Japanese had ever reached the semi-finals. He taught regular classes each week over a 6-year period in the headquarters of the JKA (another first) and opened his own school in the heart of Tokyo.
In 2000 Amos sensei returned to New York, this time as an established professional karate instructor with an international reputation.
Amos sensei is currently the Chief Instructor of the World Traditional Karate Organization heading its Kenshusei Instructor Program and teaching private and group classes every day at the Honbu dojo on East 71st Street, Manhattan. A highly sought after instructor, he travels overseas regularly, teaching at events and WTKO dojos all over the world.
WTKO TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Steve Ubl
Sensei Steve Ubl began training in Minnesota in 1967 in the art of TangSoo 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 8th dan from the WTKO.
WTKO INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR
Scott Middleton
Scott Middleton has been a member of the WTKO Executive Committee since 2011, and holds the position of WTKO International Director. In his duties as International Director Scott frequently liaises with global affiliates to assist in the international promotion and development of the WTKO.
As a practitioner, Scott began studying Shotokan as a young adolescent, and has continued to passionately pursue a higher level of karate. Currently Scott has the rank of 6th Degree Black Belt, and is a Level A / Graduate of the WTKO Instructor Program.