About Us
At the South Elgin Budokan, we offer many different arts taught by talented instructors who are experts in their area of instruction.
As quoted by legendary British Judo Instructor, Trevor Leggett in his book The Old Zen Master,
“When you are wearing magnificent robes, you can’t really do anything in them except look magnificent …we put robes of honour on ourselves, and they hamper us and we can’t do our job properly (126, 134).”
Below you will find some basic information and a modest listing of our instructors’ certifications and accolades. However, the instructors here at the Budokan abide by Legget’s motto of humility. We would rather you come to see our skill on the training floor rather than read our resumes.
GM Thomas M. O'Shaughnessy
Judo Instructor
Black Belt Class Instructor
Defensive Tactics Instructor
8th degree black belt Judo
Various degrees of black belt - 51 total dan ranks
60+ Years of Training
From humble beginnings in Galway Ireland, Master Thomas O’Shaughnessy began boxing as a boy. After watching a local sailor perform a new style he had discovered in Japan, Master O’Shaughnessy became an avid fan and student of Judo. He established the Galway Judo Club in the 1950’s
Master O’Shaughnessy continued his education in the art of Judo at London’s legendary Rudenshan and the equally famous Budokwai under the Founding Master Gunji Koizumi (founder of the Budokwai) the late great Master Trevor Pryce Legget (founder of the Renshudan London).
During his time in London England, Master O’Shaughnessy met with and trained under the legendary Steve Morris (www.morrisnoholdsbarred.com). As an original member of London’s famous “Earlham Street Gym”, Thomas O’Shaughnessy had now extended his knowledge of the arts through his studies at the Budokwai and the Renshudan in various trips to the Far East to include the studies of many traditional arts, Master O’Shaughnessy partook in various high level security details all over the world. Additionally he assisted in the hand to hand combat training for various
Special Forces and law enforcement agencies.
A life-long student and combatant, Master O’Shaughnessy has studied to the highest level, and has done so in the native country. He is a true master of all disciplines offered at South Elgin Budokan. He is amongst some of the first and only of handful of westerners to have obtained his teaching license from Japan. Not only is Master O’Shaughnessy the founder of South Elgin Budokan, he actively guides and oversees each discipline offered at the club on a daily basis.
Sifu Joseph Prignano
Tai Chi Instructor
Bagua Instructor
50+ years training
16+ years teaching Tai Chi
7th degree black belt (Hanshi) - S. Elgin Budokan
Sigung Joe started his Martial Arts training with boxing at 6 years old. He trained with his father and a family friend, Tony “Man of Steel” Zale, world middleweight boxing champion of the 1940’s. At age 12 he began studying Okinawan Karate under Mr. Hideoshi Fuji, formally with the Japanese Naval ‘Advanced Forces’ during the late war. This was his first introduction to traditional Asian Martial Arts, including Japanese Karate, Judo and Jiu Jitsu that were taught by disciplined, hard training.
Joe’s study of Chinese Martial Arts began at age 15. He studied under Master John Keehan (Count Dante) and became interested in the differences between the Okinawan, Japanese, Chinese and Korean Arts. In 1970, he helped co-found the Elmwood Park Kung Fu Club which had many skilled Sifus, Masters and Grandmasters from China and Taiwan visit year-round. They brought with them a wide-range of internal and external forms where he was introduced to Tan Tui Chuan, Long Fist Boxing, Kenpo, Fukien White Crane, Mantis, Wing Chun, Tung Bei, Shuai Jiao, Chin Na, Hsing-I Chuan, Taiji Chuan, Baguazhang, Qigong and some traditional Chinese medicine. Currently, he is working on mastering Liu He Ba Fa (Water Boxing) with Sifu John Loupos.
Over the decades, Sigung has been a student of many martial arts instuctors. Each has given him deeper insight into body structure, fighting techniques and applications. He feels fortunate to have studied under many skilled teachers. He continues his study of various martial arts by training two to six hours most days. When he is not training, you will see Sigung Joe in the dojo assisting other instructors in their classes. Sigung insists nothing but perfection from his students just as his amazing teachers taught him.
Master Ramon Ribay
Arnis/Escrima (Stick Fighting) Instructor
10th Degree Black Belt -Founder -Arkutafa Founder/President (1982)
International Filipino Martial Arts Assoc. (IFMAA)
8th Degree Black Belt -Shotokan (FAJKO) -Grandmaster Kenneth Funikoshi (1980)
5th Degree Black Belt -Shotokan (JKA) -Grandmaster Kunio Sasaki (1973)
6th Degree Black Belt -Arnis De Mano -Grandmaster Remy Presas
3rd Degree Black Belt -Aikido
3rd Degree Black Belt -Tae Kwon Do -Master Lee (1982)
3rd Degree Black Belt -Moo Duk Kwan
3rd Degree Black Belt -Ninjutsu -Expert J. Osaka
2nd Degree Black Belt -Muy Thai -Master Puno
2nd Degree Black Belt -Kobudo -Master Kunio Sasaki
Competitive Achievements:
Competitor in 1st Invitational Karate Tournament -Long Beach, CA
Competitor in 1st Invitational Karate Tournament -Philippines Wuko World Union Federation (WUKO)
Competitor in Asian Karate Tournament -Philippines
Competitor in Philippines Karate Association Tournament Received overall individualist places in Kata (form) Placed in Kumite (sparring) Received overall team champion
Taught for military air force and PNP Philippine Police Academy
Karate coaching certificate with Philippines Karate Assoc. -Manila, Philippines
Non-Commissioned officer for security intelligence department, Phil. Air Force
Grandmaster Ribay has competed on four continents. He holds a rigorous standard of training. He has trained personally with Grandmaster Remy Presas as well as many other influential masters and grandmasters in the Philippines, Japan and Korea.
Master Kera L. Radke
Bujutsu Instructor
Hapkido Instructor
Women's Self Defense Instructor
5th degree black belt (Go Dan) - S. Elgin Budokan
4th degree black belt - Tae Kwon Do (ITA)
4th degree black belt - Combat Hapkido (ICHF)
3rd degree black belt - Korea KidoHae Association
Initial year of training: 1993
Master Kera Radke has been studying and training in the martial arts since 1993. Since then, she has dedicated much time to our school and prides herself on her contribution to the dojo, its students and instructors. While earning her bachelor's degree, she ran her own martial arts program where she instructed the college students and trained the school's football team!
Besides teaching and training here at the school, she is also a middle school mathematics teacher. It is the teaching experience that she acquired through the martial arts that she credits to her love of teaching as a career.
Overall, she feels that the martial arts have shaped her into the motivated and hard-working person that she is today. Teaching and practicing the martial arts is a huge part of her life that she cannot imagine being without it.
Sensei Theodore Huelsman
Bujutsu Instructor
3rd degree black belt (San Dan)- S. Elgin Budokan
2nd degree black belt - Tae Kwon Do (ITA)
2nd degree black belt - Combat Hapkido (ICHF)
Additional Training - Seminars
Assistant Instructor Certification
Various Training Awards
Initial Year of Training: 2002
Theodore Huelsman began his training in Combat Hapkido when he was just ten years of age. As he progressed to higher ranks, he experienced other styles of Martial arts such as Tae Kwon Do. At the Budokan, he is now instucting others in the art of Bujutsu. He continues to broaden his Martial arts knowledge through training and teaching. His intense and serious training has molded him into the great martial artist he is. Theodore Huelsman is a good contribution to the school and thrives on seeing students enjoy themselves and succeed.
Bobby "Coach" Pasholk
Boxing Coach
Coach Bobby is an enthusiastic boxing coach and coordinates the South Elgin Boxing Club housed here at the Budokan. Bobby's training career started in Hanover Park and spanned many other local clubs in the Chicago suburbs such as Aurora & Mount Prospect. In Aurora, he fought for Jessy "The Law" Torres. During his days of competition, Bobby would go anywhere to train. He was referred to as "Bobby the Bomber" for his strength and fighter's spirit. The training that he provides for his students focuses on respect, discipline and an abundance of tough, serious training.
Coach Mark Pasholk
Boxing Coach
Certified Coaching License from USA Boxing
2nd degree black belt Tae Kwon Do & Instructor License
15 years training Karate/Tae Kwon Do/Judo/Hapkido
10 years Kickboxing
Initial year of training: 1976
Coach Mark Pasholk is a well-versed martial artist and boxer. His training covers traditional martial arts such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo & Hapkido to competitive modern fighting arts such as kickboxing and boxing. During his traditional training, he did stuntwork in the movie, Above the Law which featured Steven Segal. During his kickboxing career, he fought with Chicago Fights and fought for the Illinois state title. Mark has trained with local legends Tom Matison (6th rank in world, welterweight) and Rob Salzar (light/heavy weight champ). During his kickboxing carreer, he also went on to train with mutliple boxing gyms in the Chicagoland area. A shining moment for Mark, Bobby & the South Elgin Boxing Club here at the Budokan is when the took their students to the Golden Gloves in 2010. Coach Bobby and Mark both enjoy molding their students to be quality fighters by giving them direct instruction on the training floor and in the ring.
Mark R. Henry
Certified Personal Trainer-NPTI
Advanced Personal Trainer Certification-TWCC
Mark Henry’s role at the South Elgin Budokan is to help individuals to reach their athletic potential through an individualized strategic strength and conditioning program. Mark graduated from the National Personal Training Institute and received his diploma as a certified personal trainer. In addition, he passed the Advanced Personal Training Certification test, sponsored by the Training and Wellness Certification Commission.
Mark grew up the youngest of 4 brothers, playing a wide variety of sports, including ice hockey, football and baseball. Mark was a competitive high school wrestler and Golden Gloves boxer. Mark went on to play Division II College Hockey and won a USSSA state championship in men’s slow pitch softball. Mark currently holds a 2nd Degree Black belt in Tae Kwon Do. This well rounded athletic background only enhances his ability to develop an effective training regimen for each individual.
Sifu Joseph Nowak
Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention Instructor
Initial year of training: 2000
He began teaching Tai Chi in 2006.
He is certified to teach:
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis - Certified by Dr. Paul Lam & Arthritis Foundation of America
Yang style Tai Chi Chuan, Yang style Tai Chi Jian (sword) – Gentle Path Tai Chi Association
Qigong sets/forms: Wu Xing (5 Elements), Ba Dua Xing (8 Pieces of Brocade), 9 Temple Exercises, and Longevity Form
Sifu began his training in Tai Chi Chuan in 2000. Initially his studies were irregular. Then in 2001, he suffered a severe arm break. He used his modest knowledge of Tai Chi as the only form of rehab for the broken arm. According to the doctor, the healing process was as complete as he had ever seen and range of motion was back to 100% in record time. It was then that he began pursuing the study of tai chi in earnest. He has been teaching Tai Chi and Qigong since 2006.
His teaching career goes back to 1981 when he provided corporate training working for the Tandy Corporation, and then beginning in 1985 as an adjunct professor in the Interactive Arts & Media Department of Columbia College Chicago for 24 years.
Daisy Rojas
Yoga Instructor
Daisy has gotten her level one certificate in Yoga instruction March of 2011 and is currently working on her 200 hour certification. Her training is through Yoga Fit and began in 2005. Daisy's mission as a yoga instructor is to help her students find peace within themselves because her study of yoga has helped her though some very challenging times in her life. Additionally, Daisy strongly believes in the mental and physical benefits that Yoga training provides.
Liam O’Shaughnessy
Visiting Instructor
1st Dan (Shodan) Black BeltShotokan Karate, T.A.S.K certified
2nd Dan Black Belt (Nidan) - South Elgin Budokan
15+ years experience in Japanese Martial Arts
Born on November 6th 1978, in Hillingdon, England, the product of Master Thomas M. O’Shaughnessy and Goju-Ryu Black belt Yvonne O’Shaughnessy, Liam O’Shaughnessy was destined for a lifetime studying Martial Arts. His father started Liam’s career at the tender age of 5, teaching him drills and routines that where designed to develop areas such as grip, balance, rhythm and self awareness. At 6, Liam was enrolled into formal Judo lessons, followed by Shotokan Karate at age 7. Under his family's guiding hand, Liam was encouraged to participate in many and all athletic endeavors, including county level rugby, track and soccer. At age 13, Liam placed third in the National T.A.S.K. Junior Kumite. Liam received his Black Belt from Sensei John Van-Weenan, just short of his tenth year in the T.A.S.K organization. Influenced greatly by his father's style and legacy, Liam has received fundamental weapons training and has a toned acute sense of real world self defense. In addition to running various security details with his father in their other professional endeavors, Liam has been lucky to travel and experience many varied cultures and environments all over the world.
Liam is now training full time at the world-class, American Top Team/The Hardcore Gym in Athens, Georgia. The students of South Elgin Budokan are lucky to train at special events offered by Liam when he visits.
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South Elgin Budokan
959 N. LaFox (Rt. 31)
(Directly Across from Thornton's Gas Station)
847-888-8866
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