TKA CHIEF INSTRUCTOR:

Chuck Kerrigan - nana dan (7th degree black belt)

Mr. Kerrigan began his martial arts training in 1965 at a small school in Pittsburgh,PA. He later became the main instructor at that small school. In 1971 the school joined the All Japan Federation/Chito-kai. For the next 12 years Mr. Kerrigan traveled bimonthly to the headquarters 300 miles from Pittsburgh.

These efforts, in addition to competing, judging, and coaching on a national and international level, resulted in him being the first individual in the Northeast U.S. to earn Yon-Dan (4th degree black belt) in the Chito-ryu style of karate.

In 1983 Mr. Kerrigan met Osamu Ozawa, one of the founders of the world renowned Japan Karate Association (JKA), and most senior Japanese instructor in the Western Hemisphere. A short time later he was asked to join Ozawas' Traditional Karate International Confederation (TKIC). As a traditional karate-ka Mr. Kerrigan was required to start over as a white belt in the Shotokan style. He worked his way to Go-dan (5th degree black belt). After Ozawa Sensei's death (April 14, 1998), Mr. Kerrigan affiliated with the American Shotokan Karate Alliance (ASKA).

Mr. Kerrigan has been fortunate enough to train, teach, and compete on 4 continents. He holds a class A instructors grading, and is a highly ranked examiner and judge. Currently he is the chairman and chief instructor of the Traditional Karate-do Association with branches throughout Greater Pittsburgh and a member of the ASKA Shihan-kai (Masters Union) for national and international affairs.