Owner/Head Instructor - Norman Yonkers

Shihan Yonkers, is the founder of the Goshin-Do system. He holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Goshin Jutsu, a 1st Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, and a Level 10 Black Belt in the Hayastan Grappling System, and is ranked in Russian Sambo. A former National Champion in NASKA and PKL, he has turned his efforts and talents towards the operation of his school. In 2004, he began the NYS Grappling Championship in Fredonia. In 2006 he was invited to join the Hayastan Grappling circuit of Gokor Chivichyan and Gene LeBell. In addition, Mr. Yonkers is a certified instructor through the American Council of Martial Artists and the prestigious Cooper Institution of Dallas, Texas. 

Along with running The Karate Connection, he has been teaching the Self-Defense program at SUNY Fredonia since 1999. He has also taught Self-Defense, Tai Chi and Kickboxing at JCC in Dunkirk and Jamestown; and he is currently the Phys Ed Instructor at NCCS in Dunkirk.

In 1990, Shihan Yonkers went to Japan where he was in an extensive training program. He was awarded his 4th Degree Black Belt from the Japanese Karate-Do Federation. His studies included Kyokushin and Shotokan Karate. He received high honors from the Grandmaster for his perseverance and fighting spirit and was presented with the Grandmaster's uniform.

In 2017, he returned to Japan to train in Judo with Master Onogi out of Kyoto.

Instructor - Vince Gugino

Sensei Gugino has been training since 1991 and is a 3rd Degree Black Belt. Vince has a soft spoken and caring way that a shy young person can relate to. He is an excellent communicator both physically and verbally. Using these talents, he is able to share his background in the martial arts with all of our students in a most effective manner.

Instructor - Greg Cramer

Sensei Cramer began his training in 1992 and is a 3rd Degree Black Belt; he is a true perfectionist of the art. He also holds a high rank in the Hayastan Grappling system. His demanding yet humorous personality draws students to work hard for him in class. Mr. Cramer has won many martial arts championships but says he believes the traditional values of karate to be the most important.

Assistant Instructor - Damien Gee

Damien began at The Karate Connection in  2012.

As he continues his own training, he is helping our students achieve their goals.

Damien is patient and a great asset to our team.