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	Japan Karate-Do Genbu-Kai of Minnesota provides Karate-Do programs at the Winona Family YMCA, Winona State University and St. Mary's University. In addition, Japan Karate-Do Genbu-Kai of Minnesota operates a full-time Dojo teaching traditional Japanese martial arts. The Minnesota organization is a branch of Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Genbu-Kai International, one of the world's leading traditional Karate organizations. Shihan FumioDemura is the head of Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Genbu-Kai International - he oversees Genbu-Kai schools in 35 countries. Shihan Demura was the 1961 Japanese National Karate Champion and is honored worldwide as one of the world's leading traditional Karate teachers. He has appeared in many motion pictures and helped create the Karate Kid series of films. He is considered the role model for the character of Mr. Miyagi. He visits Winona yearly to teach classes and seminars. He personally trains each of the instructors for Japan Karate-Do Genbu-Kai of Minnesota.


	T.J. Bruels began studying karate in 1998. He joined Japan Karate-Do Genbu-Kai of Minnesota in 2001 and earned the rank of Shodan (Junior) in 2005. He also earned the rank of Shodan in the Japanese Sword Art of Toyama Ryu Batto-Do in 2007. He has competed successfully in tournaments throughout the United States. He assisted Instructor Nick Duchateau with the YMCA program in 2005 and took over instruction of the program in 2006. In addition to teaching the YMCA Karate-Do program, he helps teach junior classes at the Japan Karate-Do Genbu-Kai of Minnesota Dojo.