Shotokan Karate Jitsu Academy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a whim, Frank Kummer enrolled in a beginning Shotokan Karate physical education course at Temple University to satisfy degree requirements.  But the course, taught by Master Teruyuki Okazaki, stoked a deep passion for the art in Mr. Kummer.  He joined the university's karate club, as well as at Okazaki Sensei's international headquarters in Philadelphia.  After graduation, Mr. Kummer remained a member of the International Shotokan Karate Federation's '45th Street' headquarters in West Philadelphia.  He earned the rank of Shodan in 1989, and Nidan a few years later.

But a decade of training in West Philadelphia became a grind.  Family and work issues demanded that Mr. Kummer train closer to home in New Jersey.  Though he still held the deepest respect for Okazaki Sensei, Mr. Kummer was forced to quit.  After a brief hiatus, Mr. Kummer attended a class run by Sensei Sal Lopresti and Steve Montgomery in South Jersey.  He enjoyed the atmosphere of the club so much that he joined the following day.  There, he earned the rank of Sandan in 1999 and passed the instructor training course.  He earned his Yondan in May 2002 under Sensei Lopresti.

A journalist, Mr. Kummer lives in Cherry Hill, NJ, with his wife, Nancy, and sons, Stephen and Luke.