Our Mission
We recognize that your location or busy schedule may keep you from traveling to a traditional dojo for classes. Midwest Sh*to Kai can help you meet your goals of getting traditional Japanese karate instruction while at home or away from the dojo. Instead of watching non-interactive videos, you get LIVE classes with instructors who are watching you and providing real-time, personal inpu
t. In addition to our weekly class, you have the opportunity to book personal training sessions to focus on areas you want to improve. Our head instructor, Sensei John Nelson, is a certified 5th degree black belt with the World Sh*to-Ryu Karate-do Federation and trains at Springfield Karate and Fitness. He has been studying karate since 1987 and has extensive experience with Olympic style karate competition. Nelson, continues his pursuit of martial arts education for both self-defense and sport karate. Come join us as we help each other achieve our goals through karate at the Midwest Sh*tokai. HEAD SENSEI - JOHN NELSON
John Nelson was born in Cagayan De Oro, Philippines, educated in the United States, and currently resides in the Midwestern United States. He completed his undergraduate studies at Millikin University and graduate studies in Asian American History and Culture at the University of Illinois at Springfield
Mr. Nelson started studying karate in 1987. He received his first black belt in 1995 in Shudo-kan karate. He went on to earn a Sho-Dan from the World Sh*to-Ryu Karate-do Federation (WSKF) in 2000, and most recently promoted to Go-Dan in 2018. He is currently training and instructing at Springfield Karate and Fitness in Springfield, IL. He has participated in local, national and international competitions through the WSKF, AAU Karate, and USA-NKF. Nelson works for the Illinois Department of Corrections, has completed multiple Ironman triathlons, served as a para-athlete assistant racer, and has run several marathons while raising awareness for various charities. He has over 20 years in private and public sector EEO compliance, professional level recruiting, and corporate consulting. John Nelson has received accolades for his philanthropy, work with inner city youth, cultural diversification and inclusion efforts.
