Karate Instructors

Jinsendo Martial Arts Instructors

Sensei Toru Shimoji, 5th Dan

Chief Instructor & Operator/Owner

Originally born in Okinawa, Sensei Shimoji grew up in Hawaii where he started his Karate training. He moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1982 and trained directly under Hidetaka Nishiyama. He worked his way to become a member of Nishiyama’s teaching staff, managing and teaching the adult beginner-intermediate program and children’s classes. As a member of U. S. National Team, he competed extensively and won several Kata titles. After attaining B. S. Degree in Kinesiology from UCLA in 1991, Sensei Shimoji moved to Okinawa, Japan and studied Goju-ryu Karate under Master Yoshio Kuba and Japanese calligraphy (Shodo). Upon his return to the United States in 1996, he based his operations out of Atlanta, GA and became the Technical Director of AAKF South Atlantic Region. Currently, Shimoji owns and runs Jinsendo Karate in Smyrna, GA, and as an artist makes figurative and organic sculptures. You can view his artistic work here.

Sensei Sasa Panic, 3rd Dan

Began his study of traditional karate in 1994 in Belgrade, Serbia
Moved to Atlanta in 2001 and has continued training under Sensei Shimoji
United States National Team Member 2009-present
Multiple medals on both the national and international level
Gold medalist in the 2011 Pan American Championship in Chile
Works as a personal trainer with certification from the National Personal Training Institute (NPTI)

Black Belt Instructors

Andy Bennett, 2nd Dan

Began his study of traditional karate under Sensei Shimoji in 2007
Multiple times national competitor
Achieved Shodan in 2013, and Nidan in 2015
Senior VP at Challenger Sports, a national sports organization
BA Honors in Business, Sport and Recreation from Manchester Metropolitan University in England

Buz Jinnah

Trained in numerous different styles of martial arts since age 14.
Achieved 1st Dan Aoinagi Shito Ryu in 1992.
Achieved 1st Dan Jinsendo Shotokan in 2020.
Studies the science of movement in both healthy people and disease.

Jaime Viera, 3rd Dan

Began his study of traditional karate at the age of 15 in Brazil
Trained under Sensei Oswaldo Mendonça, president of the Brazilian Traditional Karate Federation
Numerous national titles, including Brazilian Kumite Champion in 1996-1997
Bronze medalist for Brazil in the 1995 Pan American Championship
Has continued his studies here in the U.S. under Sensei Shimoji since 2001

Rene Rodriguez

Began training in Venezuela in 1979.
Achieved Shodan in January 1983 with Sensei Nishiyama in Caracas.
Took and passed 2nd Dan in Venezuela in 1986, then again in 1997 under Sensei Kanazawa and again with Sensei Nishiyama in 2005.
Has trained with Sensei Shimoji since 2002.
He has participated in a number of Karate tournaments over the years with notable results in Kumite.