instructors

Daniel bellig

5th Dan Karate, 5th Dan Kobudo

Dan is a life-long resident of the greater Mankato area.  He began training martial arts after graduating law school in 2008.  In addition to his years of regular training, Dan has traveled internationally for ongoing martial arts study, including training karate and kobudo as often as possible at the headquarters dojo in Okinawa, Japan.   Dan received his shihan menkyo for karate and kobudo in 2022.

Sam murray

4th Dan Karate, 4th Dan Kobudo

Sam Murray has over 26 years of martial arts experience, including over a decade in Okinawa karate and kobudo and a karate instructor license.  Sam has also attended karate and kobudo seminars internationally and trained at the headquarters dojo in Okinawa, Japan.  In addition to karate, Sam has a black belt and is a certified instructor in Taekwondo.  He retired after 25 years of state service, including working as a security counselor lead at the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter.  Sam has extensive experience with self-defense training, including teaching women’s self-defense courses at MSU, Mankato and 15 years as a state certified instructor in personal safety techniques.