Business Details
18 Years
experience
Your Premier Martial Arts Training Center in Goldsboro, NC
At Goldsboro Okinawa Karatedo, we have dedicated ourselves to preserving and teaching traditional Shorinryu Karate since our founding in 2008. As a family-owned studio, we prioritize creating a welcoming environment where students of all ages develop discipline, respect, and confidence through Okinawan martial arts. Our instructors, certified under the Okinawa Shorinryu Ryukyukan Karate Kobudo Federation, bring decades of combined experience and direct lineage from Hanshi Koei Nohara, a 10th Dan master in Okinawa. We emphasize both technical precision and character development, offering structured programs for children starting at age 4 through adults.Our competition team, Team GOKarate, has earned recognition at national levels while maintaining strong community ties through local tournaments and seminars. With a curriculum rooted in authentic kata, kumite, and kobudo practices, we prepare students for personal growth and self-defense while honoring the cultural heritage of Ryukyuan martial arts. Our facility in Little River Square Shopping Center provides accessible training spaces equipped to support both traditional karate instruction and specialized programs like inclusive karate for special populations.
Services
Shorinryu Karate
Weapons Class
Competition Team
Inclusive Karate
Youth Programs
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- We offer certified Shorinryu Karate instruction directly linked to Okinawan masters
- Our instructors hold 3rd to 6th Dan black belt rankings with decades of teaching experience
- We've earned Top 20 Club recognition at AAU Karate Nationals multiple times
- We provide specialized programs for children starting at age 4 and inclusive karate for special populations
- Our curriculum combines traditional kata/kumite with practical self-defense applications
What people say
Tremendous growth in confidence
Perfect place for beginners
Positive experiences with instructors
Amazed at child's development
Family-friendly environment
Services
Shorinryu Karate
Our Shorinryu Karate program teaches authentic Okinawan martial arts techniques developed over centuries. Students learn precise stances, strikes, and forms while building discipline and self-defense skills. The curriculum emphasizes character development through structured belt progression and traditional kata practice.
Weapons Class
This advanced program focuses on traditional Ryukyuan weapons including bo, sai, and nunchuku. Students develop enhanced coordination and power generation through weapon-specific kihons and kata. Training begins after one year of basic karate experience for students aged 8+.
Competition Team
Our competitive team participates in AAU Karate events at local to national levels. Members receive specialized training in kata, kumite, and team events while preparing for tournaments. The program builds athletic performance and represents Goldsboro in international competitions.
Youth Programs
Age-specific classes for children 4-12 develop motor skills, focus, and confidence. The curriculum combines fun activities with fundamental karate techniques, preparing students for academic success and lifelong fitness through structured martial arts instruction.
Inclusive Karate
Specially designed classes accommodate students with physical and developmental challenges. The program focuses on strength, balance, and self-confidence through modified techniques that maintain traditional karate principles while ensuring accessibility for all participants.
People
Jason Adams
6th Dan Instructor
With over 20 years of martial arts experience, Jason Adams leads our dojo as a 6th Dan black belt directly trained under Hanshi Koei Nohara. He specializes in preserving traditional Shorinryu techniques while adapting instruction for modern students.
Anne Adams
4th Dan Instructor
A certified North Carolina elementary school teacher with 17 years' experience, Anne Adams brings educational expertise to our youth programs. As a 4th Dan instructor, she focuses on developing children's confidence and discipline through karate.
Hanshi Koei Nohara
10th Dan Master
The highest-ranking authority in our federation, Hanshi Nohara holds a Masters degree in Cultural Anthropology and has authored books on Okinawan martial arts. He personally oversees our instructors' training annually during his Goldsboro visits.
Kylee Adams
3rd Dan Instructor
As a 3rd Dan instructor, Kylee Adams contributes to both regular classes and competition team training. She maintains active involvement in refining technical standards through AAU refereeing and tournament participation.
Hayden Adams
2nd Dan Instructor
A 2nd Dan instructor with specialized AAU judging certification, Hayden Adams assists in developing proper form and competition readiness. He focuses on maintaining technical accuracy while making karate accessible to new students.
Questions
What age can children start karate training?
Our Shisa Class accepts students as young as 4 years old, with age-appropriate curriculum preparing them for kindergarten.
Do I need prior experience to join classes?
No experience required - we welcome complete beginners and provide structured progression from white belt to advanced levels.
What membership options are available?
Choose from Basic (1 class/week), Traditional (2 classes/week), or Advanced (unlimited classes) membership packages.
Are there competitive opportunities available?
Team GOKarate members compete locally through national levels with opportunities to join the AAU-USA National Karate Team.
Do you offer specialized programs for different needs?
We provide inclusive karate for special populations and age-specific classes from preschool through adult programs.
How long does it take to earn a black belt?
Most students achieve black belt in approximately 5 years through consistent training and meeting age/rank requirements.
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