Soke Del Saito
The founder of Traditional Karate-do Federation International and Saito-ha Shito-ryu, Del Saito, was born in 1948, in the town of Wailuku, Maui. As a young boy he began training in the art of Judo, under the instructons of Sensei Palimo. A year later he began Karate training with Sensei Al Kahalekulu, a student of Sensei Tommy Morita, who studied under Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose Soke of Kumamoto, Japan. In the early ’70s he studied with Sensei Chuzo Kotaka, a student of Sensei Genryu Kimura and Shogo Kuniba Soke. After several years serving as Sensei Kotaka’s National Director, Saito began to learn Seito Shito-ryu from Master Kenzo Mabuni, the son of Kenwa Mabuni, founder of Shito-ryu.
Del Saito is one of the most highly respected Karate instructors today, and his expertise in Shito-ryu Karate-do has made a great impact on many Karate practitioners throughout the world. Saito Soke continues his martial arts journey as a committed leader who doesn’t allow politics to influence his teaching philosophy of Karate-do to all those that seek his guidance.
Saito was presented the Hanshi degree from Kenzo Soke, the highest teaching title of his style. He was also given permission by Kenzo Mabuni to continue his understanding of Shito-ryu while providing him with a direct line to him.
For many years Saito served as National Director for the International Karate Federation of Hawaii, and National Executive Director for Karate for the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States.
Inducted into the International Karate Hall of Fame in 1994, he has also won numerous awards for his leadership and dedication in martial arts as well as for other sports.
In addition, Del Saito has credentials in film choreographing and organizes several Karate Championships each year.
Forty-five years of teaching Karate has led to a strong traditionalist approach with an openness to new ideas and concepts for growth. Teaching Karate for more than technique, he attempts to help people find themselves, to discover their creativity and their capacity for overall growth through Karate. He believes that there is much growth in each person and sees his purpose as that of nourishing the seed so that his student’s potential may be reached. His understanding of Karatedo is to preserve the true essence of the art by maintaining a committed spirit to preserve human decency with Godliness, honesty, trustworthiness, humility, understanding, compassion bravery, fairness, discipline and commitment.
Saito Soke lives in the beautiful city of Grants Pass, where he maintains the honbu dojo for his International organization. He attributes his success to his faith in God, the leadership of his Shihan Kai, the Grants Pass business community and close friends and family throughout the world.
“Karate-do is a special vehicle that can help restore the positive values of our world and Karate practitioners can have a great impact for the betterment of mankind.”
Shihan Tony Mendonca
Tony Mendonca was raised in Oregon and has been practicing martial arts for over three decades. His training began at the ripe age of 6 and continues to this day. He is a direct student of Soke Del Saito and currently holds the rank of 6th Dan in Saito-Ha Shito-Ryu.
Shihan Mendonca is the owner and chief instructor for the Mendonca Academy of Martial Arts located in McMinnville Oregon. In the arena of sport Karate, Tony has been a state, national, and international sport Karate champion. His unique and balanced experience allows Shihan Mendonca to expertly instruct students of all levels and abilities.
Tony also has a B.S. in Engineering and consults in commercial and defense related industries.
Awards:
- 2001, 2003, 2005 Shito-Ryu Tai Kai Kumite Champion
- 2000 WKO World Championships • Italy • 2 Gold, 2 Silver medals
- 1999 WKC World Championships • Bochum, Germany-Bronze medal
- 1998 WKO World Championships • Orlando, Florida • 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze medals
- 1996 WKO World Championships • Hamilton, Canada • 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze medals
- 1993 AAU Joel Ferrell Award Recipient
- AAU Karate National Junior and Senior Champion in Kata, Kobudo, and Kumite
Shihan Tony Mendonca
Director of the Traditional Karate-do Federation International
Mendonca Academy of Martial Arts
Shihan Joan Gombau Ventura
I started my way in martial arts when I was eight years old taking Tae Kwon Do lessons for 2 years. After that period I started taking karate lessons at school, and since then I have practiced Shito-ryu Karate do in two different lines.
The first time I practiced the line coming from ShitoKai Yashunari Ishimi master, student of Tsujikawa. Ishimi had moved to Madrid, Spain where he taught Alonso Henandez, VI DAN. Alonso founded a gym in M’stoles (near Madrid). A student of his named Luis Ballesteros moved to Barcelona and was one of the founders of the OEKD (Organization of Schools of Karate Do), now disbanded, but was dedicated to youth and child karate and had celebrated more than a hundred activities such as championships, stages, etc. The OEKD had achieved success to the Catalan national level, Spanish National level and including European shores.
During the time I lived in Barcelona (I was born there), I started competition when I was 14 years old. For 11 years I represented Catalonia at the National level in the Catalan selection team in Kata modality and for 4 years in Kumite modality (the first 4 years, after that I had specialized in Kata modality).
In 1988 I was promoted to 1st DAN.
Three times I won the Catalonia Championship (between 1989 and 1992), two times I was awarded the silver medal and the other two times I received the bronze medal. I participated in the Spanish National Championship eight times representing Catalonia. I was also awarded the bronze medal in the 1st Mediterranean Countries Championship in 1990.
During that period I began teaching karate and studying Law.
I was the sempai responsible; and by the time I had reached the age of eighteen years old I had the responsibility for a total of 85 students. Ithen proceeded to increse enrollment to 150 students (two of them became Catalonia Champions).
In 1991 I was promoted to 2nd DAN.
After that Spain suffered a great economic crisis which pushed me to look for a job outside of the karate life. I became a police officer and finished my Law studies while my group was getting smaller and smaller. I then turned it over to my sempai.
In 1994 I was promoted to 3rd DAN.
In 1999, my wife and I moved to a small town 125 miles far from Barcelona. I then started over, giving karate lessons in schools using their facilities. Since then, I have continued practicing the Shito-ryu line of Yoshiaka Tsujikawa under Masayuki Kuninaga of Spain. He founded a dojo in Vilanova i La Geltr•, Catalonia and had a young student Jordi Ferrando VI DAN.
In 2001 I started studying Matayoshi Okinawa Kobudo. I•ve been practicing the Matayoshi Kobudo line from hanshi Kenyu Chinen who was Shimpo Matayoshi sempai. And after Matayoshi left, he founded 33 years ago the Wold Oshukai Federation.
In 2002 I was promoted to Karate 4th DAN.
My group continued growing every year. I then founded the Traditional Karate & Kobudo Association in order to give the legal covertures to my students.
In May 2003 I was promoted to Matayoshi Kobudo 1st DAN.
In May 2005 I was promoted to Matayoshi Kobudo 2nd DAN.
In April 2008 I was promoted to Matayoshi Kobudo 3rd DAN.
In 2009 I joined TKFI and was promoted to Saito-ha Shito-ryu Karate-do 5th DAN at Grants Pass Gasshuku.
I had the honor of becoming Soke Del Saito’s student and his representation in Spain. After that I joined the TKFI Shihan Kai for the main purpose of serving all the TKFI Family and preserving the most traditional Karate-do Shito-ryu branch.
Shihan Joan Gombau Ventura
TKFI Spain
Shihan Ubiratan de Souza Lima
Ubiratan de Souza Lima was born on June 24, 1967 in the city of Tupa, in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. His dad, Oswaldo de Souza Lima, was a veteranian and his mom was a language teacher in the government schools and taught Portuguese and French. He is married with Marcia Xavier, and has two daughters, Laura and Luisa. He also has two other children from his first marriage, Raphael and Carolina. His only sister is named Gina.
During his growing up years in the city of Tupa, there was a strong influence of the Japanese culture because of the large number of Japanese immigrants after World War II. Since his parents lived among many of these Japanese families they came to understand and admire the oriental culture that they chose to teach it to their son, Ubiratan, and his older sister, Gina de Souza Lima. He has always been a good son, a boy with a good heart and very studious.
In 1974 he moved to the city of Sao Jose do Rio Preto with his parents. His father had received orders from the company he worked for because they wanted him taking control of that region working as a vet and seller of livestock feed for cattle, pigs, horses and birds. Within two years, they were able to move from the middle class to the upper middle class that it allowed him and his sister to study at an excellent private Catholic college called Sao Jose, one of the best in the country. While studying at college, the life of Christ greatly influenced him that at one point in his life, he dreamed of pursuing a professional life as a Priest.
Since he was a child, he already had the calling of serving people and truly loving mankind. In December of 1978, during Christmas, he received a bike from his parents only to give it away to a friend who had not received an gifts because his family was very poor. Unfortunately, he received a big spanking from his father for giving it away.
On June 24, 1977, at 10 years old, he asked his parents, as a present for his birthday, to enroll him in a martial arts school called Matsumi Association of Judo and Karate. His parents granted his request and went with him to sign up. He found that relying on the philosophy of Karate-do was something refreshing for his soul and as a result, completely changed his life.
On July 25, 1994, his mother, Neide, died at the age of 51 years old, in a car accident. During the time of his mother’s burial, his father Oswaldo suffered a cardio-respiratory arrest and was taken urgently to the hospital and entered a process of spiritual depression where is kidneys stopped functioning. His father did not want to live so he would not have to endure the loss of his great love of your life. Ubiratan cared for his father’s until the day of his death on July 25, 1995 which was the anniversary date his mother’s death.
He practiced martial arts at the Matsumi Association of Judo and Karate-do Shotokan until 1995. During this time, he received his first degree black belt and various titles as an athlete. He was state and national champion and was respected for his abilities in kumite but, principally, for his friendly and sincere spirit with everyone that surrounded him. Ubiratan was also always admired for his high level of knowledge of the Japanese culture which gave him the ability to correctly understand the spirit of Budo. He also taught karate, at his home, to children that did not have a home or family but lived in the streets of Sao Jose do Rio Preto.
Being a great student of karate-do, in June of 1996, he was invited to participate in a clinic with the international master of Shitoryu karate, Soke Teruo Hayashi,10th Dan, who came from Japan to Brazil for the first time and participated in the first Hayashi-Ha Shitoryu South America Cup event where Ubiratan was the Champion in the Open category. He received his award from master, Teruo Hayashi who invited him to join the Hayashi-Ha of Brazil.
His way of thinking and living completely changed after the death of his parents. In 1997, he constantly had dreams of his parent’s spirit, where they would encourage him to teach karate-do to the poor children.
On March 10, 1998, he conceived and initiated the social project, Educating With Karate-do, to help poor and needy children at risk in society by taking them off the streets. He was granted permission to help combat organized crime, drug trafficking and drug use.
In 1999, he received his Yondan level of black belt in the Hayashi-Ha Shitoryu style. He remained affiliated as a member until the year 2003 when in September, for not agreeing with the political administration, decided to disaffiliate himself from the Hayashi-Ha Shitoryu Kai.
He also received, from 1996 to 2001, training from Sensei Yasunori Yonamine – Hanshi 8th Dan, representative of Okinawa Meibukan Gojuryu of Brazil.
In 2004 he was elected as the Delegate Holder of the 6th Regional Precinct of FPK – Paulista Federation of Karate-do, state entity affiliated with the Brazilian Confederation of karate, recognized by WKF – World Karate Federation. He was also involved with the official arbitrators of the FPK.
With his disaffiliation from Hayashi-ha Shitoryu Kai in 2003, he received an invitation from Hanshi Yasunori Yonamine to affiliate with Okinawa Meibukan Gojuryu in Brasil, but decided to decline because he planned to continue in the Shitoryu style and to establish his own organization of karate-do and contact in the middle term a Master outside of Brazil that had the same moral principles as him.
On January 17, 2004, he founded an ONG – Non-Governmental Organization Uniao Brasil Karate-Do Shitoryu Kai.
Strategically between the years 2004 to 2006, did not allow his organization and students to participate in any sporting event but instead concentrated in developing nine instructors with superb knowledge in the philosophy of Budo with the aim of achieving excellence among Brazilian organizations.
He also opened up dojos so his instructors could live professionally with karate-do and follow the example of his life as educators, saving children against organized crime in drug trafficking, child prostitution and dysfunctional homes.
In May of 2007, he felt that it was the time to make contact with some master of Shitoryu outside of Brasil so he sent various emails to organizations of Japan and the United States. Many responded quickly but, the only thing that Ubiratan Sensei perceived from them was financial gain and the commerce of Budo.
On a beautiful day of sunshine and intense heat, I received a response from Hanshi Del Saito, 9th Dan, of the United States and realized that his words were somewhat different from the other contacts because at no point in the letter did it speak about money or financial expenses. Ubiratan felt a great emotion that invaded his heart and soul with happiness. He felt that he had found the master that he had always been looking for all of his life. In July of the same year, Hanshi, Del Saito together with Tony Mendonca Shihan 5th dan, traveled for the first time to Brazil with an invitation from Ubiratan Sensei and members from Uniao Brasil Karate-Do. Those were wonderful story-like magical days where true friendship and brotherhood was manifested between Master Del Saito, Sensei Ubiratan, his students and family.
Hanshi Del Saito, tested Sensei Ubiratan and awarded him with Rokudan. As for the instructors, Manabu – Sandan, Elza – Nidan, Edson – Nidan, Carlo – Nidan, Rodrigo – Shodan, Crislaine – Shodan, Naiane – Shodan, Diego – Shodan and Eder – Shodan-Ho. Before returning to the USA, Master Saito Sensei invited Sensei Ubiratan to the Gasshuku that would take place in July 2008 in the city of Grants Pass, Oregon.
Ubiratan Sensei traveled to the Gasshuku in the United States and was met by Master Del Saito and lodged in his home as a guest of honor. It was a very special and unforgettable moment in the life of Sensei Ubiratan. He had the honor of meeting Mrs. Ida Saito, wife of his master, and to receive the generosity and courtesy from her.
I also was able to get to know the Shihan Kai consisting of Ceci Cheung from whom I received a yellow and green shirt with the word Brazil written on the chest. This was very touching for him. Later he met Danilo Torri, a great man, Italian immigrant in which I came to consider my blood brother because of his mom, Neide Guiducci who was also Italian. Then there was Dwight Grover with his guitar tuned and the prayer of great kindness, and Tony Mendonca, a great brother, friend and companion on the journey that he could see again.
Besides the Shihan Kai, it was very special being friends with Senseis Jim Hamilton and his wife Misty who took me to their home, Margaret and her daughter always so gentle, Quintyn with her timid way of being and her mother so lovely, Matt Collins with all of his physical strength and humility, Jake Lessard unforgettable personality, whom I had the honor to help with Lisa Keller’s estate, also got the opportunity to visit the house of the great and fun Bob, husband of Ceci Shihan and receive the courteous assistance of Sensei Kim who served me green tea, to visit Sensei Altieri home and to meet his wife, Monica, to have the opportunity to lodge at Soke’s home and spend time with him and Irene Salazar, to have Sofia Parada and Irene be my efficient interpreters, then later to have the opportunity to meet and spend some time talking with Koto, the husband of Sofia, and also with their beautiful daughters. I also remember Julie Lee, Sensei Kim, and Elizabeth.
During this period of time, he was privileged to honorably participate as a founder member of the Shihan Kai of Shitoryu Saito-Ha Karate-do, and together sign, with the other Shihans, the diploma which recognized Master, Del Saito, as Soke 10th Dan.
At the end of Gasshuku, he was overcome with much emotion seeing the good intention of all the TKFI members who helped him financially. He promised that he would use this money only for the needs of the students.
In July 2008, Ubiratan Shihan along with members from Uniao Brasil Karate-Do, again welcomed to Brazil, Master Del Saito, Sensei Irene Salazar and Sempai Jack Chelgren. The reason for this visit was for the Launching Ceremony of Saito-ha Shitoryu Karate-do in South America giving Brazil a first position advantage in his country as a representative in the continent. The event took place in the evening during a cocktail party where we had several top officials from the Brazilian Government, Military, Rotary Club, Masonry, Head of the Civil House of the State of Sao Paulo, Military Police, and politicians besides the students and their families. During this occasion, an Endorsement Book was presented to Soke Saito which contained copies of all of the endorsement letters from all of the authorities present at the launching.
He was able to arrange for Del Saito, Soke to be a Distinguished Guest of Honor, in solemn ceremony, at the Rotary Club International in the city of Mirassol.
He had the joy of taking Del Saito, Soke to the homes of his instructors so he could get to know where they live.
During the preparatory training for the examination of black belt, Shihan Ubiratan and his instructors voluntarily swore allegiance and fidelity to the last days of their lives and promised that the name, Shitoryu Saito-ha Karate-Do, will never be forgotten even after the death of Soke.
Shihan Ubiratan believes that life only has meaning if it is to serve those close to you. One of the thoughts which he most admires was stated by the president of USA, John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you; Ask what you can do for your country.”
Currently the Uniao Brasil Karate-Do Shitoryu Kai, has the meritorious title of Governmental Public Utility. With this title, he intends to seek financial help from state and federal governments to be able to continually help more disadvantaged children from the poor working class and collaborate with Saito-ha Shitoryu Karate-do and also the Traditional Karate-do Federation International.
Shihan Ubiratan de Souza Lima
TKFI Brazil
Shihan Amir Mahdavi
Amir Mahdavi was born on March 26th, 1971 in Iran.
Amir began his martial art training from early ages and reached the level of Blue Belt in Taekwondo in his teens. He continued his training in the field of Kan Zen Ryu, which is an Iranian style, under the supervision of Sensei Morteza Nilforoshan, who is the first Karate Kai in Isfahan, Iran, and reached the level of Black Belt Shodan.
With the introduction of Shito-Ryu in Iran in 1990, Amir and a group of karate instructors in Isfahan joined this style and started further training under the supervision of Sensei Ali Kamali. Amir succeeded in reaching the instructor level in 1992 and continued his training to reach the referee level in 1994.
In the year 2001 Amir gained the title of Excellence as a Referee in the Karate Committee and was honored with the title of Kata Level 1 which were the highest levels of achievement in this sport in Iran. He continued his Shito-Ryu Shito-Kai in the National Iranian Karate Federation until the year 2005 and reached Godan in this style.
In 2006 Amir’s special attention and respect for the traditional karate and its principles pulled him to seek more knowledge in that sport and he managed to get training in Shito-Ryu Hanko-Ryu in England and subsequently introduced and registered the style in Iran in the following year. He achieved the title of Rokudan in 2008 from Hanku-Ryu society of England.
Amir continued his training under the supervision of Sensei Nariman Jedi (the president of Hanko-Ryu Karate group in England) for the next four years and became a member of the Instructor group of the Iranian Karate Federation in 2010. He started his research and study in the technical field of karate and received an independent work permit to establish a Shito-Ryu Hanko-Ryu society in Iran.
In 2011 Amir received the title of Excellence in instructor level from the National Iranian Karate Federation and secured a certificate of International Instructor under the supervision of Sensei Antonio Oliva, the president of the technical committee of WKF.
In 2012 Amir was attracted to the philosophy and traditional values of karate as being promoted by the Traditional Karate-do Federation International (TKFI) under the leadership of Soke Del Saito. He then contacted the group and eventually became a member of this group working in Saito-Ha Shito- Ryu style.
Amir is currently a Nanadan and the president of the Saito-Ha Shito-Ryu TKFI Karate Federation in Iran, the Middle East and Asia.
Some of Amir Mahdavi’s titles and achievements are as follows:
- President of karate group of the Khomeini-Shahr, Iran (population around 300,000) for a period of 17 years
- Life time member of World Okinawa Seishinryoku Karate Do Federation
- Member of the World Sokeship Council Seishinryoku Kai • March 2012
- The Grand Master Technical achievement in Black Belt Nanadan from Okinawa International Karate Federation
- Certificate of Referee Class B Jendo Arnis from Asian Federation
- PHD degree in Physical Education • Management major from the Tehran University
Shihan Amir Mahdavi
President of the Saito-Ha Shito-Ryu TKFI Karate Federation in Iran, the Middle East and Asia.
Shihan Jim Hamilton
Shihan Chuck Aoto
Shihan Robert Burstein
