Origins

My Instructor: Mr. Bill Osterholt
(8th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo)

The road to black belt has been a long one.  It began in 1984 in a small karate studio in North Carolina where I trained for 4 years under the instruction of Senseis Bill & Dianne Osterholt.  I was never very good at sports, nor was I very interested in them, but I found karate fascinating.   My instructors' movements were crisp, precise, fast, and powerful.  I wanted very much to emulate their abilities and still strive to achieve their level of proficiency.

My instructors were tough, but fair.  They had very high standards for technique and I worked very hard to attain the level of proficiency they required.  I have studied in other schools and systems on and off throughout my martial arts career (including ATA), but I still hold myself to their standards when I evaluate my own performance.  I regret not having the opportunity to continue my training under their instruction, but I hope to pass on what I have learned to others.