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In the fall of 1977, Paul began his karate training at the South
Jersey Karate Club under Sensei Leslie Safar. On June 12th, 1982
he was awarded a Shodan (1st degree black belt) by the JKA and Sensei
Teryuki Okazaki. During this time he competed on a junior level
and won numerous East Coast Championships in both kata and kumite. On
August 6th, 1986 he was awarded Nidan (2nd Degree black belt) by the
AJKA and Sensei Safar. Shortly after, he attended Glassboro State
College and received a Bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education
with a concentration in Athletic Training. The National Athletic
Trainers Association in 1993 awarded him a certification, as an athletic
trainer. He has served as an athletic trainer for Moorestown High
School, Rowan College of NJ and as an intern for the Philadelphia Flyers
of the NHL. After college, he competed for the final time at the regional
AAU tournament in Philadelphia in March of 1998 and took second place
in kata. On June 19th, 1998 he was awarded Sandan (3rd Degree
Black Belt) by Sensei Salvatore Lopresti. Shortly after that his
competitive career was cut short due to an ACL injury and subsequent reconstruction. On
December 4th of 1999, he received an Instructors certificate by Kissaki
Kai Karate Do USA. On May 31st, 2002 he was awarded his Yondan
(4th degree black belt) and he was recognized by the IUKO and ASI as a Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) on April 14th, 2007. He is the USA's representative for the Italian Association of Karate Jutsu. He is has also a graduate and professor for the Karate Instructor
Program offered by Scientific Karate Institute International Ltd. in
affiliation with Long Island University School of Continuing Studies,
where he graduated with the honor of being named outstanding student
of the program. He is also the Executive Chairman for United KAI, and the Technical Director for all of Shotokan
Karate Jutsu and their member clubs as well as the former Chairman of Research and Development for IUKO.
His greatest personal karate achievement to this date has been the recognition as a Yudansha (Black Belt) in the style of Koryu Uchinadi under the direction of Hanshi Patrick McCarthy on July 24th, 2004. A little more than a year later, after 4 years of continous study, Hanshi McCarthy has awarded Paul with the teaching title of Shidoin in KU on July 30th, 2005. This title formally recognizes Mr. Lopresti as a certified Instructor of Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu. Mr Lopresti is one of only a handful of Certified Instructor in North America in that art given by Hanshi McCarthy.
Today he continues to train and instruct 5-10 times per week. He also runs the Mixed Martial Arts program at Bodymax Gym and is the Founder and Head Trainer for the Widow Maker NHB Fight Team featuring Aiki Kenpo Jujutsu. He has two sons; Salvatore who was born
June 30th, 2002 and Paul Nicholas, born on December 1st 2003. |
