top of page

Jinsendo Martial Arts Instructors

JSD-JJSeminar-04-2021_038_edited.jpg
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)

Sasa.jpg

Black Belt Instructors

Andy.jpg

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

Roel.jpg

Roel Querubin, 2nd Dan

  • Began his study of traditional karate under Sensei Shimoji in 1998

  • National competitor and finalist

  • Gold medalist in Embu (Team Event) at the 2006 U.S. National tournament

  • Multiple times men’s kata finalist

  • Has trained in “no-gi” Jiu-jitsu 2004-present

  • Nationally recognized medical judge for tournaments

  • Doctor of rheumatology

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

Sherman Phillips, 2nd Dan

  • Began studying traditional karate under Sensei Shimoji in 1996

  • Has over three decades of continuous martial arts training in Katori, Tae Kwon Do, and Aikido

  • Achieved the rank of Shodan (1st Degree) in Tae Kwon Do and Yondon (4th Degree) in Aikido

bottom of page