Sensei Bruce Nguyen
Sensei Bruce Nguyen is the co-owner and head instructor of Karate and Kenjutsu at Japan Karate-Do Jinen-Kai. He has over 30 years of experience in multiple forms of martial arts, and has applied his knowledge to many different environments; such as instructing new recruits in the U.S. Army and U.S. Marines in hand to hand combat. In addition, he is currently the head instructor and adviser for the karate program at the University of California, Irvine. Combined with his experience is his certification as an instructor under the Jinmukan Katori-Shinto Ryu sword school, and thus achieving an Instructor of the Year award in the 2006 Masters Hall of Fame. Sensei Bruce currently holds the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt under the Japan Karate-Do Jinen-Kai organization.
Sensei Chihiro Iwahashi
Over 10 years of Karate Experience.
3rd Degree Black Belt with Shindo̅ Jinen-Ryu̅ Karate
1st Degree Black Belt with Shotokan Karate
Other Karate Experience:
Kyoku Shin Karate
Kaji Kenpo Karate
I started practicing Karate seriously in my first year at University of California Riverside.
That's when I started practicing shotokan.
During my university years I had the opportunity to travel to Japan
and train at the honbu dojo of JKA and received instruction from Kurihara Kazuaki,
Naka Tatsuya, Kunio Kobayashi, and other great senseis.
Sensei Simon Sorin
I started Shotokan Karate back in 1999 in Brittany, France, attracted by my father's old VHS of combat training. After getting my black belt I realized that I was just getting started, and that there would never be an ending to improving my karate. This aspect of karate is extremely humbling and exciting to me as there will always be more to do, to learn. Having the chance to teach karate to young kids for 4 years was extremely rewarding to be able to pass on skills and see the growth in them. Moving to different places and country and being curious, I broadened my martial arts practice with jotaikido jutsu and systema. Arriving here in Irvine, I was extremely happy to find Sensei Bruce and discovering the practice of Shindo̅ Jinen-Ryu̅. Having recently got a 2nd Dan I am looking forward to dive deeper into this style and share my passion with new practitioners.
Senpai Veronica Swanson
I started training as a white belt when I began college at UC Irvine in 2010,
and now I have a 1st degree black belt with Shindo̅ Jinen-Ryu̅ Karate.
When I was a child, I took a month of karate lessons.
I always wanted to continue, but never did. So when I entered college,
I specifically looked for karate clubs, and found the Nihon Karate Club. As an exercise routine,
training in karate helped my physical and mental health,
and participating in the club gave me a great social community.
Training has been a way for me to practice discipline and perseverance.
It has given me confidence and skills that have carried into my personal and professional life.
Training with the Nihon Karate club and Jinen-Kai,
I have also had the opportunity to teach a wide variety of students: children, college students,
adults. I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with people and share their training.
Senpai Sage Mohan
I started my journey in Karate during my first year at UCI.
My prior background was in Muay Thai, so Karate was a way of testing new waters.
For over eight years, I have enjoyed training with Sensei Bruce, Sensei Chad, and Sensei Ray,
competing and being a part of the UCI Karate family.
I earned my first-degree black belt in Shindo̅ Jinen-Ryu̅ style in 2017.
Karate, and to a huge extent martial arts in general, has been a great source of learning for me.
I have learned to strengthen and disciple both mind and body, to continuously adapt,
to persevere and have the courage and ability to protect the ones I care about.
During my training, I have also had the opportunity to teach kids and adults alike,
and impart the same knowledge that was once bestowed upon me.
Senpai Daniel Le
The martial arts have always captivated me since childhood.
I grew up watching action movies at every opportunity.
It was not until age 12 when I was finally able to pursue study of my own through
Aikikai under Tenshinkai founder and head instructor Sensei Dang Thong Phong.
Later on when my college studies precluded my continued training with Sensei Phong,
I took it as an opportunity to learn something new.
That was when I met Sensei Bruce Nguyen and Chad Eagan through the UC Irvine Nihon Karate class and club.
Little did I know then, but Karate eventually became and continues to be an essential part of my adult life.
Not only has it improved my fitness and stress management skills,
but some of my closest friends have been made through Karate.
What I value most about Karate is its simplicity.
When complexities are abound in the world around us,
having a constant source of simplicity helps placate all other aspects of life.
Senpai Ariel Meng
I started Karate in 2010 as a first year at UCI and obtained Shodan in December of 2019. Karate teaches me to maintain good balance in life and to hold a strong mentality when faced with challenges. I wish to continue my journey for years to come.
Scarlett Roberts
Hi! I’m a 3rd-year student at UCI, majoring in Political Science and Civil Engineering.
I started karate in my freshman year. I had done karate in middle school, and I was
determined to give it another try.
The karate club has been an amazing experience for me! In addition to improving my
self-defense skills, I've met so many amazing people and had several opportunities
to travel and expand my horizons.
Karate has been a great way to relieve school stress and get more exercise, and I'm
excited to see what this year holds.
Andrew Trauger
I'm a 3rd year at UCI, majoring in Computer Engineering.
I started karate in the middle of my second year with no previous experience.
When I started sparring, I had no idea what I was doing, but eventually, it started to click. Since then, I've
been even more excited to continue training. I joined the board as Fundraising Chair and was able
to connect with the community through fundraising and make some great friends in the club.
I hope this year goes well too!
Rishabh Rakesh
Hey! I'm Rishabh a second year chemical engineering student.
I've done martial arts before and continued pursuing it at UCI.
The Nihon Karate Club let me meet a lot of people and continue developing my skills.
I'm always excited to meet new people!
Angel Colon
Hi! My name is Angel. I'm a 4th year student majoring in Psychology.
I have done martial arts for four years, and I have enjoyed doing Karate the most as it helped challenge me in many ways and find my community here at UC Irvine.