Long's Shotokan

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Sensei Mark Long is a two time world champion in the World Sport Karate Federation and a Team USA Gold Medalist.  Mark holds black belt ranks in several forms of martial arts including a Seventh Dan Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, a Fourth Degree Black Belt in Shin Shin Jujitsu, a Third Degree Black Belt in USJA Judo, and a First Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.  He has been serving our community through his Karate Academy since 1980 as well as working with our local schools for the enrichment of our children.  For more information on Sensei Long, please visit the "About Us" page.

 Matt Carpenter (not pictured) began Karate in 1981 and was awarded his black belt by Sensi Mark Long in 1989.  In the early 90's Matt claimed a first place win as a lightweight in the World Team Championships and later a third place win as a heavyweight in the Tornado Nationals.  After a 15 year hiatus from competition, he returned in 2009 for the Team America Tryouts in Detroit Michigan and qualified in men's continuous fighting (35 and Over, Middleweight) division.







Sarah Graham started karate in 2002. She tested for black belt in the year of 2005. This was a big accomplishment for Sarah because in 2002 she found out she had Dyslexia, which is a reading disability that causes her not to understand things as easy as others. So, she has had to work very hard.  In 2007 she tested for Nidan (second degree black belt) and soon after, won her very first competition first place trophy.  In January Sarah joined Team Lightning a competitive team coached by Mark Long.  In March, Team Lightning found a very special opportunity. The team was invited to tryout for the U.S.A karate team. If you got a first place during the tryouts, you would represent America in the first W.K.C championships in Ireland.  The first group of Team Lightning went to Atlanta to the first set of tryouts. Sarah stayed behind with two others to train for the last set of tryouts in Detroit, Michigan in June.  In March, Sarah and Team Lightning traveled to Houston, Texas for a karate tournament where Sarah took a fourth place after she competed against national champions.  On June 18, one day before Sarah left for Detroit she suffered a terrible heartbreaking injury. She broke her wrist!  Still, the next day she got a cast and off to Detroit!  Sarah competed with one arm which was very difficult.  Sarah took second place in her division. Sarah is very excited about her accomplishment and ready to represent her country!

 Jessie Graham
 



 

Zach Graham


  



Kyle Todd started taking karate at the age of eight. After maturing through Karate and earning his blackbelt in year 2000 he soon learned about the National Black Belt League Competition.  Competing in the Tornado Internationals in Kansas City, Missouri he placed 1st in sparring over well known fighters such as Donald Vickers. As his karate career progressed he won numerous sparring competitions around the Greater Kansas City Area. The most recent being the Midwest Open, where he won Grand Champion in blackbelt sparring. Kyle was offered a shot to qualify for the WKC United States National team. He started vigorous training and placed 2nd at the first qualifier in Atlanta. Through strong will and determination, he finally gained his spot on the team with a 1st in Detroit in Continuous Fighting. Kyle has won numerous grand champs in sparring locally over the last 2 years.