Shihan John C. Devine

    At the age of 19, Shihan John C. Devine began his study of Isshinryu Karate. Shihan John C. Devine trained with Sensei Ron McClellan, a student of Master Jack Sipe, until he earned the rank of Sho Dan on April 4, 1972. Upon earning the rank of Sho Dan, he began training directly under Master Jack Sipe.  During this early period Shihan John C. Devine was afforded the opportunity to train with Master Kichiro Shimabuku in 1971, with Master Jack Sipe, and in 1985 at the Lebanon Isshinryu Karate School.

    Shihan John C. Devine  started training with Master Angi Uezu in Middletown, Pa in 1972. He continued his training with Master Angi Uezu during Master Uezu's numerous visits to teach at Master Sipe’s dojo until 1985. In 1985 Master Sipe retired from teaching and Shihan John C. Devine became a direct student of Master Uezu in 1986.

    Shihan John C. Devine has been the owner of the Lebanon Isshinryu Karate School, Inc since 1975 and began teaching full time in 1990. In 1986, he began to host Master Uezu’s visits, more than 6 times, including a trip when he brought along his wife, Yukiko. During these visits Shihan John C. Devine also traveled wherever Master Uezu would be in order to continue his training.

    In 1986 he traveled to Okinawa Japan to train with Master Uezu and participated as a member of Master Uezu's demonstration team in the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Isshinryu karate, where all Sensei’s and students of Isshinryu Karate in Okinawa were represented. Shihan John C. Devine traveled to Okinawa several more times in 1993, 1995, 1999, 2003,and 2005 where his students and himself trained with Master Uezu. In 2008, Shihan Devine was accompanied by his wife to Okinawa, where he was promoted to Ku-Dan, 9th degree black belt, by Master Angi Uezu. 

    Shihan has also trained in Matayoshi Kobudo from 1991 until 2002 under Shihan Nichiuchi, earning his Ni Dan, 2nd degree black belt.  In 1993, Shihan John Devine had the opportunity to train in Okinawa Japan with Takashi Kinjo, Shihan Nichiuchi’s teacher.  In 2008, during his trip to Okinawa, Japan, he trained Kobudo with Gakiya Sensei and Yogi Sensei. Shihan John Devine is also a certified instructor through Krav Maga Worldwide and has been teaching Krav Maga at the Lebanon Isshinryu Karate School since 2002.

    Shihan John Devine is the recipient of various awards and was presented the "Making a Difference Award" by Lebanon, Pa's local TV station, as well as the "Samurai Spirit Award" by Master Nick Adler. In 1996, Master Uezu appointed Shihan John Devine, along with Sensei Reese Rigby, Co-Vice President of the OIKKA, a position that he still holds today. In 2011 Shihan John Devine was inducted into the Isshinryu Hall of Fame.

    Shihan John Devine continues to teach and shape future karate students at his dojo. Shihan John Devine has had students compete as members of the USAKF National Team, as members of the AAU National Team, and as competitors at the Rendokai World Tournament. His students have competed in Budapest, Tokyo, and all across the United States. Currently Shihan John Devine trains 260 students ranging in age from 5-86 years old. His teachings instill life skills and values that can be utilized both in and out of the dojo, which he learned from his teacher Master Uezu.