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 Sensei LoBell is a 3rd degree Black Belt under MAI and the owner and head instructor of the Martial Arts International (MAI) dojo. He is a former USA World Champion and IMAC National Champion and also has trained numerous years in Brazilian Jujitsu and Kickboxing. Sensei LoBell has trained World Champions, National Champions, various Police Department officers, and Sheriff Department deputies in karate and self-defense techniques. He believes it is very important to capture and maintain a high level of interest in his students, regardless of age. Sensei LoBell is also involved in teaching karate throughout local elementary schools through KidFit USA, Inc. Since 1995, MAI has been bringing the challenge and excitement of martial arts programs to men, women and children and is unique in its approach to teaching. Sensei LoBell's easy-to-understand analogies provide an ideal and enjoyable learning environment.
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 Sensei Uribe received his first Black Belt in 2003 at Eagle Tae Kwon Do in Vista, California. A year later, he received his Black Belt at MAI under Sensei Jeff Clark. Today he is a Nidan (2nd degree Black Belt) and is currently training for his 3rd degree Black Belt. Sensei Uribe has been teaching at MAI for the past 5 years and is in charge of our sparring programs and tournament activities. Currently, Sensei Uribe holds 2 world titles in IMAC and is a national champion in both NASKA and NBL. He is also on a sponsored traveling team that tours the United States competing in the country's toughest tournaments. Sensei Uribe loves teaching at MAI and enjoys helping students reach their goals. Within his teaching, he tries to instill principles and concepts such as discipline, diligence, courage, hard work, and practice.
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 Sensei Kunkel has been training in martial arts since 2001 and currently is a 2nd degree Black Belt in Shorin Ryu Karate. He earned his 1st degree Black Belt in February 2005 at MAI Temecula and began training at MAI Carlsbad since December 2005. Sensei Kunkel has competed in various tournaments, including "Compete", San Diego Grand Nationals, and World Championships in Las Vegas and earned 1st through 3rd place trophies in kumite, kata, weapons, self-defense, and showmanship divisions. Karate has given Sensei Kunkel self confidence and leadership abilities. He began teaching at MAI Carlsbad in 2005 and started a mentorship class for the kids who were testing for their Black Belt. Sensei Kunkel likes MAI Carlsbad because he thinks it's a great place to learn martial arts while still having fun. He enjoys teaching and especially likes the students. |
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 Sensei Kim is a 1st Degree Black Belt Instructor at MAI. He has been with MAI for the past 6 years and received his Black Belt in July 2007 after enduring a rigorous annual test. Two years ago, Sensei Kim competed at the San Diego Grand National Tournament 2 years ago and took 1st place in kata (forms). After his first class at MAI, what drew him back to continue training at MAI was the amount of positive energy and friendly atmosphere. Martial arts has mentally matured Sensei Kim and he has come to realize that martial arts is not about fancy techniques and the ability to fight. Sensei Kim is excited to see children enjoying the sport and benefits that martial arts provides, however, is even more enthralled to see what the future holds for these aspiring young students.
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 Sensei O'Keefe began studying martial arts in 1969 under Sensei Mike Stone in Huntington Beach, CA. He attained the rank of Blue Belt in Shorin Ryu Okinawan Karate. He continued studying martial arts in various styles including Korean Tang Soo Do, Judo, and Aikido while serving in the United States Navy. He has been a student at MAI since May 1995, promoted to Black Belt in October 1998, received his Nidan in December 2000, and his Sandan in August 2005. In his first competition as a Black Belt, he won 1st place in both Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring) at teh San Diego Grand Nationals held in March 1999. His goal is to continue to improve and refine his techniques and to compete and win at the annual International Black Belt Championship held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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 Sensei Kellogg is a 2nd degree Black Belt and began training at MAI since July 2002. At the 2006 San Diego Grand Nationals, she won 1st place in synchronized kata with her partner, Nina Moussavi. They also took 3rd place at the 2006 World Championships in Las Vegas. The thing Sensei Kellogg likes the most about MAI is the fact that it is a very convenient and comfortable environment. One of the major things that karate has taught Sensei Kellogg is self confidence. Karate has helped Sensei Kellogg paying more attention in school, leading her to get better grades. |
 Sensei Das received his 1st Degree Black Belt in 2004 and achieved Nidan rank (2nd degree Black Belt) in 2006. He has been practicing martial arts since 1997 and has been training at MAI since 1998. Starting about the time he became a blue belt, Sensei Das became increasingly interested in martial arts tournaments. Between 1999 and 2005, he earned over 100 awards from national, international, and world competitions and became a national and world champion in traditional kata, open kata, and weapons in my division. Sensei Das enjoys karate at MAI because he finds the Senseis to be proficient and caring and likes how all belts are treated with respect. Karate has taught him not only how to defend himself in dangerous situations, but also how to show respect to everyone from a fried to a stranger. Though Sensei Das learned much from karate, he has only just begun and will continue towards his goal of surpassing his own potential and being the best karateka he can be. |
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 Sensei Gentzler began training in karate at the age of 39 and achieved her first degree black belt in 2007. She is currently training for her second degree black belt. Self defense was the main reason she began karate since it teaches you how to protect yourself from attacks as well as how to incapacitate an attacker as quickly and easily as possible.
While many people would believe that starting karate at her age was crazy, Sensei Gentzler believed that the timing could not have been better. With every class she found out new things that she never knew she was capable of and this kind of self discovery was an incentive to her. She was impressed with the lessons karate taught people of all ages. Sensei Gentzler believes that every person, no matter what stage of life they are in, can benefit from proving to themselves that with time and perseverance, you can achieve goals viewed impossible by others. In the six years it took her to achieve her first degree black belt, Sensei Gentzler learned that even at her age, the goal was indeed within reach and well worth the effort. |
 Sensei O'Hara received her 1st Degree Black Belt in July 2008 and has been training at MAI since 2003. In 2006, she took 2nd place in sparring and 4th place in kata at the San Diego Grand Nationals and took 2nd place in kata at the Crothers Keichu Do USKA. Karate has taught Sensei O'Hara that everything is relative. While preparing for her Black Belt test and then going through the test itself, Sensei O'Hara realized that only some things are really hard, others should be put in perspective. She believes that everything becomes easier the more you practice and that relaxation comes when you truly know your art. Sensei O'Hara would love to practice karate for as long as she is able. In addition to her commitment to karate, Sensei O'Hara donates blood regularly to the American Red Cross, believing that giving blood to people in need extends and enhances human life. |
 Sensei Bonasia is 14 years old and holds a 1st Degree Black Belt at MAI. He has been training at MAI for the past 8 years and received his Black Belt in July 2008. Depending on his school workload, Sensei Bonasia usually trains at the dojo 2-4 times a week and is an instructor in the younger students' classes. His favorite thing about karate is that he is able to do something he loves, learn self-defense, and get a workout all at the same time. The thing Sensei Bonasia likes the most about his dojo is that it provides a positive and safe environment in which to train. Karate has taught him many important lessons like self-discipline and respect for himself and others and has given him the encouragement to pursue other oppportunities. Sensei Bonasia hopes to continue studying at MAI until he is very old. Nothing beats the joy he gets out of karate and he hopes that one day, he may be as good as his instructors and will have the job of teaching young black belts like himself. |
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