David practicing Tekki Shodan
David practicing Tekki Shodan at Midwest Winter Special Training

UNL Shotokan Dojo

Leader: David Altman — Yodan (4th-Degree Black Belt)

18 years ago, after getting permission from Ohshima Sensei, then sandan (3rd-degree black belt) now yodan David Altman, started the UNL Shotokan dojo at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1994. David Altman started karate practice 36 years ago under godan (5th-degree black belt) Jon Beltram in February 1976 in Kansas City, Missouri. He has since completed 80 special trainings, leading several in the Midwest, and is serving as an elected member of the SKA Board of Directors and the Black Belt Council.

The dojo started with about 10 students and new students come every semester to learn the art of karate-do. The UNL dojo has and continues to host exchange practices and visits from other seniors. The first exchange practice was led in early 1995 by godan John Teramoto. The most recent visting senior came in March 2010, SKA President Ron Thom.

The UNL dojo along with several other SKA Midwest karateka from Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Chicago presented a Shotokan Karate exhibition during the Japan Festival on March 5, 2009. Members also attended the recent 10-year anniversary of the opening of the Shotokan Ohshima Dojo in Santa Barbara, CA and the Nesei Week 2010 Karate Exhibition & Tournament.

The UNL dojo has maintained strong ties with the Kansas City dojo, where its members attend special trainings and other events. David Altman continues to emphaisize our Budo roots and those senior members who have really laid the foundation for our practice.