Hannele Zubeck

3rd Dan, Beikoku Shidokan Karatedo Association 

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Background

1995-1998  Original Okinawa Matsumura Kenpo, Alaska, USA
2012-2025 Beikoku Shidokan Karate-do at the Kenai Shidokan, and Shidokan Alaska Dojo, Alaska, USA
2025 Beikoku Shidokan Karatedo at Grand River Karate, Ontario, Canada

Occupation
Civil Engineer, Professor Emerita of Civil Engineering

Why I Started

I always wanted to do martial arts growing up in Finland, but never had a chance. Years later after moving to Alaska, USA, I joined a fitness club to stay in shape. An add on the wall about a self defense course drew my attention. It turned out to be a karate class taught by a military man who had been training with Yuichi Kuda Sensei while stationed in Okinawa; and that’s how I started karate. Life happened, and when our kids got interested in karate, I started again, and aim to train as long as possible!

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Why I like Shidokan
I really like Iha Sensei’s karate focusing on natural movement, and the philosophy of using the opponents’ strength against them.  Iha Sensei’s life long devotion to training, aiming to become better every day, and his motto of friendship, cooperation and learning inspire me to follow in his steps. It is an honor to belong to Grand River Karate, where Fortunato Restagno Sensei (Kyoshi 7th Dan) and his team share the same passion! I am thankful for my past teachers, Jim Kass (Hanshi 9th Dan), and his student Ray Purugganan (Renshi 5th Dan) who led me to the Shidokan karate.
 

What I enjoy about teaching
I like passing Iha Sensei’s teachings to others and especially to the next generation. Teaching makes me to learn the techniques at a deeper level. It brings me joy to see students learning and making friends!

Other Interests

Homeschooling, cold regions engineering, and fishing salmon in Kenai River.

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