Sensei Bruce Nguyen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Harbour Li President

Harbour Li

I’m a 3rd-year student at UCI, majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Economics.

I started karate with no prior experience in my freshmen year, although I was determined to try martial arts and needed some exercise. I found out quickly that karate offers much more than I thought; in addition to improving my self-defense skills, the practices helped relieve stress and anxiety from my academic curriculum. I have been learning much about karate from our Sensei and other members, and am gradually improving as an athlete. In just the first year at UCI, I was able to develop a passion for karate which I hope to share with more people.

Cais Wang Vice President

Cais Wang

I'm a 4th year at UCI, majoring in Computer Science and Computer Game Science.

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!

Nicole Florence Treasurer

Nicole Florence

Hi! My name is Nicole Florence and I'm currently a second year at UCI. My major is Economics and I'm also pursing a minor in Philosophy.

Joining the karate club at UCI was a fairly spontaneous decision of mine. I had no idea what to expect or what was expected of me, but it turned out to be one of the best decsions I made my first year. I came in with no prior training, only an open mind and eagerness to be active. Quickly I learned that this sport is not only about physical activity, but also discipline and close connects. For me, NKC offered an outlet to venture out of my comfort zone, a place to release my stress, and most importantly a home away from my home.

Scarlett Roberts Fundraising Chair

Scarlett Roberts

Second year student at UCI.