Michael Arab
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Michael Arab was born in 1954 in the city of Shiraz, Iran. At the age of fifteen he began to practice Judo, and after two years he began to practice karate— Kan Zen Ryu and Shotokan. Soon after he devoted himself specifically to Shotokan. During his time in Iran, Sensei Nosratian, Sensei Abe and Sensei Naito were among his teachers who helped him on his path to success in the discipline of Shotokan.
In 1978, he came to the United States as a student to pursue his education in Business Management in Chicago, Illinois. While in Chicago, he joined the Japan Karate Association under the direct guidance of Sensei Shojiro Sugiyama and the late legendary Master Hidetaka Nishiyama. From 1979 to 1991 he competed in national and international events.
From 1993 he began to teach at JKA Chicago’s main dojo. He taught many students, and several of them became great competitors. Along with karate, Sensei Arab teaches ki energy and kobudo (weapons). He is currently a Roku Dan 6th degree black belt.
On January 1, 2001 Sugiyama Sensei, President of JKA Chicago, appointed Sensei Arab as the new president for JKA Chicago. Sensei Arab is devoted to karate and has added many great qualities to the art of Shotokan. His main goal is to improve karate by producing quality Karate-kas with good character.
