| The Team
The Kosho Kai Karate Dojo is under the directorship of:
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| Frank Fink is a rokudan (sixth-degree blackbelt) in Okinawan Shuri-ryu and Goju-ryu karate with experience in judo, jujitsu, kosho kempo, and wing chun kung fu. He began his training at age fifteen in the Shuri ryu style of karate under Mr. Ron Rollins of Springfield, Illinois. Mr. Fink is a five-time USKK national champion in kumite (sparring) and kata (forms). He is a two-time medalist in European international competition and the second winner of the Trias Cup. In 2001, Mr. Fink became the thirty-third inductee into the Bushido International Society Hall of Fame. From his sensei, Mr. Ron Rollins, he inherited the role of chairman of the Mel Wise Memorial Bushido Award. He is a graduate of Western Illinois University with a B.A. in Education and a teacher's license from the State of Illinois. He currently teaches adult literacy and is the apprenticeship and college coordinator at the Federal Correctional Institution in Pekin. Mr. Fink is also a combat veteran of the Persian Gulf War and a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Modern Army Combatives Program.
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Patricia Fink is a rokudan (sixth degree blackbelt) in Seito Matsumura Shorin ryu karate under Master Phillip Koeppel. She began her training in 1983 and has since been USKK grand champion over twelve times in both kata (forms) and kumite (sparring). She has competed and medalled twice in international competition (Italy 1998 and Greece 2000) as a member of Team USA Karate. She became the thirty-fourth inductee into the Bushido International Society making her and her husband the first married couple to be so honored. She is a recipient of the coveted Mel Wise Memorial Bushido Award and the chairperson for the prestigious women-competitors-only Legends Award. In addition, she serves on the USKK Academic Grant Committee and the USKK Rules Committee. Mrs. Fink has a degree in early childhood development and over fifteen years experience as a daycare professional.
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Christina Fink earned the rank of shodan-ho (junior blackbelt) at age eleven. She began her study at age four under her parents, Frank and Patricia Fink and is now a ni-dan ho. Christina has an impressive competition career having won multiple USKK National Champion titles and several national tournaments. She is currently a freshman at Pekin Community High School. Her other hobbies and interests include art, softball, and track. She teaches and assistant teaches junior students several times per week.
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Tarin Switzer earned her shodan in 2011. She has numerous PKC and USKK regional and national titles in kata, kumite, and kobudo and has won several prestigious tournaments including the PKC International Championships in Indianapolis and the US Karate Alliance World Championships in New Orleans. She teaches classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights. Miss Switzer holds an Associates in Applied Science in Media Design from Illinois Central College.
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Eric Swearingen is a nidan (second-degree blackbelt) and has trained in karate since age twelve. He is a four-time USKK national champion who has competed and placed in several major U.S. competitions including the USKA World Championships in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. Swearingen is a Lifetime Member of the USKK. He is an ER nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria. He is also an accomplished guitarist.
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Michael Fink is a nidan (second-degree blackbelt) and has trained in karate since age six under the scrutinizing eyes of his mother and father. He is a seven-time USKK national champion in both kata (forms) and kumite (sparring). He has competed in and won several prestigious national events throughout the Midwest and Southeast and was a double medalist in the Mediterranean Karate Championships in Athens, Greece in 2000. He was awarded the Small Double-Bladed Axe by Master Ron Rollins in 2003.
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Mike McLeod Mr. McLeod has trainied in karate for over six years and holds the rank of nidan (second degree black belt). He actively trains in karate, kobudo, and koshiki. Mr. McLeod is the head pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church in Pekin, Illinois.
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Larisa Stott began her training in 1998 at age eleven and earned her shodan in June of 2007. She is a seven time USKK National Champion and has competed in and placed in many national tournaments including the United States Karate Alliance World Championships in New Orleans in 2004. Miss Stott was awarded the Small Double-Bladed Axe by Master Ron Rollins in 2004.
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Loyd Shults. Mr. Shults is a shodan (first degree black belt) with over five years of training. He and his son, Nathan, train regularly in karate and kobudo and have competed very consistently throughout their careers having both won the title of USKK National Champion in both kata and kumite in their respective divisions. He and Nathan were the first recipients of the Dojo Citizen Award for their outstanding contributions to the ongoing success of the school. Mr. Shults and his son Nathan have recently moved to southern Illinois where they have opened their own dojo, By Faith Karate Dojo.
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Nathan Shults. Nathan began his martial arts training at age four in tae kwon do and transfered to the Kosho-kai at age five. At age ten, Nathan became the youngest student ever promoted to black belt by Mr. and Mrs. Fink. He holds the rank of Shodan ho (junior black belt). He has competed in numerous tournaments all over the Midwest and Florida and is a five time USKK National Champion in kata and kumite. Nathan trains regularly in kobudo and koshiki as well as in karate-do and assists his father teaching classes at their family dojo in Equality, Illinois. Nathan is also an aspiring guitarist.
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Joe Miller earned his shodan in 2011. He has the distinction of being the first student to register with the Kosho-Kai Dojo after it moved to Pekin in August, 2004. Mr. Miller has a number of impressive tournament victories in kata, kumite, and grappling. He has an Associates Degree in Music from Illinois Central College and is currently pursuing his Bachelor's Degree at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.
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We are members of the United States Karate-do Kai, an international karate and kobudo organization comprised of members from thirty-six states and Great Britain, Ireland, and Romania. The USKK was founded in 1983 by and is under the direction of Master Phillip Koeppel.
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We are also affiliated with the United States Karate Alliance, a large international traditional sport karate organization co-founded by and under the directorship of Dr. David Jordan of Louisiana and Mr. James Hawks of New Mexico.
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Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2
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