UAF karate teacher prepares for Pan-American

December 27, 2013

Cornerstone

Joe Foltz is an instructor for the UAF Shotokan Karate club, received 1st place in the men's black belt sparring division national ISKF tournament in Ohio. As tournament champion he will represent the United States in the ISKF Pan-American tournament this summer in Mexico. He and the group also plan to make a big showing at next year's nationals, which is scheduled next fall in Anchorage.

Foltz has been training in Shotokan karate for more than ten years, and also has experience in boxing, wrestling and aikido. He's a third degree black belt and was trained under Sensei Tony Nakazawa, an economist with UAF Cooperative Extension. Joe's wife, Heather Foltz, is a second-degree black belt and is the assistant instructor for the class. The two have represented the club across the country in various tournaments and trainings.

The group trains seven times a week, with beginner classes at 5 p.m. Mondays and Fridays and advanced classes on Wednesday evening, Saturday afternoon, and 6:30 a.m. morning trainings.  The club will have a week-long Kangeiko training to bring in the new year with intense training every morning at 6:30 p.m. in addition to the normal class schedule.

The UAF Shotokan Karate club, part the International Shotkan Karate Federation, is always looking for new members. Classes are offered through UAF as a 1-credit recreation course (REC 150). More information can be found at the ISKF Alaska website.