Welcome to Lopresti's Premier Karate and Mixed Martial Arts!! We are the oldest Shotokan Karate School in South Jersey. We would like to congratulate you for looking at our website. You will find plenty of information here and we hope that it will whet your appetite and encourage you to come and join us. We are proud to welcome numerous other clubs in the Philadelphia region who have decided to align themselves with us (see the associated clubs link). We are are group of like minded karateka. We are also proud to take an ecclectic approach to our martial art.   Please have a look at the website of our karate organization the International Union of Karate Do Organizations at www.iuko.com coming in the spring of 2008.

We are proud to have a relationship with Hanshi Patrick McCarthy (8th Dan) and his International Ryukyu Karatejutsu Research Society. We are also proud to host Sensei McCarthy a world renowned karateka, author and historian at our dojo. We also have a close working relationship as well with Dr. Milorad V. Stricevic, founder of Scientific Karate Institute International Ltd., SKILL.

We have infused our study of Shotokan karate with the work of Hanshi Patrick McCarthy and his (IRKRS). We are now finally able to see the roots of the traditions we practice on a daily basis.   With the addition of McCarthy Sensei's knowledge and insight, we are able to bring our students a deeper understanding of the original meanings for our kata and the defensive themes they recreate. In July of 2003, Sensei McCarthy chose our karate school to be Shibucho (representative) Dojo for the International Ryukyu Karatejutsu Research Society (IRKRS) and Koryu Uchinadi.

We teach many levels of karate movements .  The most basic in karate is Atemi waza or (striking techniques).  This includes punching, kicking, and any other percussive movements.   This is where most other systems of karate stop.  In order to fully grasp all of the movements we must move on to all of the other areas.   Others include (joint and/or limb locking techniques or cavity seizing techniques) or Kansetsu/Tuite waza. There are whole styles devoted to this study, such as Aikido and Chin Na.  We must also look at the throwing art of judo to include Nage waza (throwing techniques).   We must also understand (ground fighting techniques) or Ne waza.  We cannot overlook (strangling or choking techniques) known as Shime waza.  These are very broad strokes as well.   Once again there have been whole systems devoted to the study of each.   Unless one truly understands each and every one of these, can they consider themselves a master???   We are now able to unlock all the principles behind the movements we practice with the addition of Hanshi McCarthy's Koryu Uchinadi ( Old Style Karate).

We also offer classes in Aiki Kenpo Ju Jutsu for those interested in the grappling elements of our martial arts system. These practices are under the direct supervision of Patrick McCarthy, 8th Dan.

We are now enrolling students in our amateur fight club for MMA action. If you are interested in competing in these MMA style tournaments then get on board. If you just want to get a great workout and stay in shape then get on board.

We welcome all inquiries. Feel free to contact us at any time or stop by the club. For more information please check out the site in its entirety. 856-589-3818 This is a new number. It was activated 12/10/06. Please make a note.

Last Update 5/24/08