Shihan Fumio Demura
Dr. Don Zarlenga
Fritz Speck
Richmond McCluer
David Evenson
Bob Pflughoeft
Seth Johnson
Nick Duchateau

MN instructors along with Shihan Fumio Demura. From left to right, Richmond McCluer,
Dave Evenson, Shihan Demura, Fritz Speck, Bob Plughoeft and Nick Duchateau.

Shihan Fumio Demura

Shihan Fumio Demura is Chief Instructor and President of Japan Karate-do 
Genbu-Kai International of which the Japan Karate-do Genbu-Kai is a 
member.  Shihan Demura visits Minnesota annually to teach seminars and to
insure the Minnesota program meets his standards.

Shihan Demura is one of the world's best known and respected martial artists.
He won the All-Japan Championship in 1961 and came to the USA in 1965.
He was chosen to Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame as Karate Instructor of
the Year and Martial Artist of the year.  As Chief Instructor for the 
Japan Karate-do Genbu-Kai International he has over 25,000 students in more
than 30 countries.  He was chosen the National Association of Professional
Martial Artists Man of the Year in 2000, and was promoted to 9th Dan in
2005.

Shihan Demura is often considered the role model for Mr. Miyagi in the 
Karate Kid series of movies, where he performed as stunt double for Pat 
Morita in playing that role.  He has also performed in Rising Sun and the
Island of Doctor Moreau.

Don Zarlenga founded Demura-ha karate in Minnesota in 1972 while
teaching at the College of Saint Teresa.  Dr. Zarlenga began 
training in karate under Dan Ivan in 1961 and continued training
and teaching when Fumio Demura became chief insrtuctor for that
group.  He developed a reputation as a strong dojo fighter.  
While doing work towards advanced degrees in physics, he did 
research on the bio-mechanics of karate techniques.  He left 
Minnesota in 1974 but his legacy remains.

Fritz Speck began training in karate in 1972. He received his shodan (1st
degree) black belt in 1974, his nidan (2nd degree black) in 1985 and his
yondan (4th degree black)in 2005. He received his shodan in Toyama Ryu
Batto-Do (Japanese sword art) in 2000. He was inducted into the Masters Hall
of Fame in 2000, and received a special Humanitarian Award in the induction
ceremony in Newport Beach, CA. From 1975-1980 he was the co-founder and
co-owner of the first commercial karate school in Winona. From 1980 to 1992 he
taught karate at the Winona YWCA and St. Mary’s University. In 1992 he founded
the Winona Family YMCA youth karate program, and taught in that program until
2001. From 1995 to 2000, he taught advanced classes and weapons classes at the
Japan Karate Federation karate school in Winona. He currently teaches adult and
junior karate and weapons at the corporation'’s full time school. Mr. Speck is the
Minnesota State representative of Japan Karate-Do International, and is the
Senior Instructor for Minnesota Genbu-Kai. Japan Karate-Do Genbu-Kai
International certifies him as an Instructor. 

Richmond McCluer began studying karate in 1972 with Japan Karate-Do Genbu-Kai. From
1976-77 he was a special student of the organization’s head, Sensei Fumio
Demura, and resided in the organization’s headquarters in Orange County, CA.
He also studied Okinawan Karate under Sensei Robert Billington while living in 
Minneapolis. He received his shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1995
and his nidan (2nd degree black belt) in 2002.  He also holds the 
rank of nidan (2006) in Toyamu Ryu Batto-do . He helped found the YMCA program in
1992, and taught in that program until 1996. From 1995-2000 he taught at the
Japan Karate Federation school in Winona. He has also helped teach the Winona
State University program from 1999 to the present.  He currently teaches adult
karate and Toyama Ryu Batto-do (Japanese sword arts).  In addition he frequently 
lectures on a variety of subjects, including the law and self-defense, mental aspects of
self-defense and awareness/habits for safety. The Shito-Ryu  Karate-Do Genbu-Kai
certifies him as an Instructor.  Mr. McCluer is a 1982 graduate
of the University of Minnesota Law School.  He has been selected a Minnesota
Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense multiple times including 2006 and 2007.  After 
a successful career as a public defender, Mr. McCluer is a partner in the law 
firm of Price, McCluer and Plachecki.

David Evenson began training in Japanese karate under Fritz Speck in 1976.
He received his shodan (1st black) in 1980 and his sandan  (3rd degree black
belt) in 2006. He helped found the YMCA program in 1992 and is currently one
of the instructors for that program. He has also trained the Winona Sheriff’s
Posse in self-defense techniques, and has taught seminars at Winona Technical
College and St. Mary’s University. He is certified as an Instructor b Shito-ryu
Karate-Do Genbu-Kai.

Bob Pflughoeft began training in karate in 1974, and began training with Japan
Karate-Do Genbu-Kai under Fritz Speck in 1976. He received his shodan (1st
degree black belt) in 1995 and his nidan in 2002.  He helped found the YMCA 
Youth Karate Program in 1992 and has assisted in that progam until 2001.
He currently teaches noon adult classes at our dojo. Shito-Ryu Karate-Do
Genbu-Kai certifies him as an Instructor.

Mr. Johnson began training with Genbu-kai karate as a junior in 1994.  He
received his red belt (junior black belt) in 1998.  He received his adult
shodan in 2002.  Mr. Johnson has competed very sucecssfully in traditional
karate competition nationally, including winning the Genbu-kai interdojo
tournament, Fumio Demura's Goodwill Karate Championships, finishing 2nd
in the Ozawa Cup, and winning at Tsutoma Oshima's Nisei Week touranment.
He has also won kata, kumite, kobudo kata, and kobudo kumite at many
regional events.

 

Nick Duchateau began studying karate in 1998 and was promoted to shodan
in 2004.  He was the main instructor at the Winona Family YMCA from
2002 to 2005, and currently teaches karate in the Rochester school
community education program.  Nick has a masters degree in education
from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and is certified in Special
Education by the State of Minnesota.  He teaches social studies and 
special education in Rochester Minnesota.  Besides karate, he has also 
competed successfully in batto, where he holds the rank of shodan.