!! TURN AVERAGE INTO AWESOME !!

!! TURN AVERAGE INTO AWESOME !!!! TURN AVERAGE INTO AWESOME !!!! TURN AVERAGE INTO AWESOME !!
Home
Our Mission
Our Dojo
Classes & Schedule
Sensei Gabbard
Instructors
Testimonials
Articles & Photos
Contact Us
Tony Willaims

!! TURN AVERAGE INTO AWESOME !!

!! TURN AVERAGE INTO AWESOME !!!! TURN AVERAGE INTO AWESOME !!!! TURN AVERAGE INTO AWESOME !!
Home
Our Mission
Our Dojo
Classes & Schedule
Sensei Gabbard
Instructors
Testimonials
Articles & Photos
Contact Us
Tony Willaims
More
  • Home
  • Our Mission
  • Our Dojo
  • Classes & Schedule
  • Sensei Gabbard
  • Instructors
  • Testimonials
  • Articles & Photos
  • Contact Us
  • Tony Willaims
  • Sign In
  • Create Account

  • Bookings
  • My Account
  • Signed in as:

  • filler@godaddy.com


  • Bookings
  • My Account
  • Sign out

Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • Home
  • Our Mission
  • Our Dojo
  • Classes & Schedule
  • Sensei Gabbard
  • Instructors
  • Testimonials
  • Articles & Photos
  • Contact Us
  • Tony Willaims

Account


  • Bookings
  • My Account
  • Sign out


  • Sign In
  • Bookings
  • My Account

SENSEI DAVID GABBARD

This video features Sensei Gabbard competing in various Tournaments around the country.

Beginnings

 

Sensei David Gabbard started training in Isshin-ryu Karate in 1975 . 


At that time he and his family had just moved to Nashville from Florida and possessing a life long dream to study, he visited the local Dojo in his neighborhood.


"The  first time he walked into the dojo, he watched Master Jim McDonald working out with a couple of other Black Belts and some students, and he was amazed at what he saw and knew that he had to take classes there". 


After begging for days to his Mother she decided that he 

could indeed participate in classes.

 Paying tuition for classes was a huge sacrifice for the family but hopefully this would help in giving him some direction with his often misdirected youthful energies.


His  first Instructors of  influence were found in the beginners class,  these Instructors were Ronnie Ladd, Mike Hammons, Phil Whittle, and Ron  Gregory.


Mr.  Gabbard went on to become one of the most successful

fighter in all of 

Isshinryu Karate by winning over 150 Karate Tournaments.


* Sensei Gabbard has won the Tennessee State 

Open Championship 7 times. 

* The Isshinryu Karate Hall Of Fame Kumite Grand

Championship Tournament 4 times. 

* Undefeated 9 years at the American Okinawan 

Tournament in Bayone New Jersey.

* In 1989 he was the ranked as the #1 

Heavyweight Fighter in region nine

which was made up of all of the South Eastern States.

* Sensei Gabbard also has won 5 Gold Medals and 1 Silver at the

Tennessee Police Olympics for the Martial Arts Competition 

*Sensei Gabbard also competed in Full Contact Kickboxing
and trained several successful competitors,

one of which competed for the North American Title 

* Was named Karate Ka of The Year in 1983 and 1987.

* Recieved The Spirit of Isshinryu Award at the Isshinryu Hall Of Fame.

* Team Coach For the 2005 & 2006 IIKA 

Mens and Womens Fighting Team.


* Sensei Gabbard has been inducted into 5 separate

Hall Of Fame organizations.

* World Sokeship Council Hall Of Fame.

 * World Karate Union Hall Of Fame.

* Browns Masters and Legends Hall of Fame.

* Don Nagles AOKA Hall of Fame.

 * Isshinryu Hall of Fame.


Additional Service

Sensei Gabbard served on the 

Isshin-ryu Hall Of Fame

Board of Directors for 3 years.


Sensei Gabbard served on the IIKA Board of Directors for over 25 years and served as Board Member, Vice President and President. 


Master Gabbard resigned from the IIKA in May 2023 to partner with other Dojos to create a new

Christian Martial Artist Association.

Find out more about the CMAA

THROUGH THE YEARS

1975

1975

1975

Sensei Gabbard with his first competitive trophy and new Yellow Belt from the 1975 IIKA Nationals held in 

Knoxville Tn .

1977

1975

1975

Sense Gabbard received his 

Sho Dan 1st Degree Black Belt

in 1977 at the age of 16.

1978

1975

1978

Sensei Gabbard poses with his first 

Black Belt 1st Place Trophy.

(Pictured with Trice Fasig)

1993

1993

1978

He actively participated in training Patrol personal as well as S.W.A.T. team members in various aspects of hand-to-hand combat and advanced weapon and firearm  tactics.to the rank of  Training Sergeant.


Sensei Gabbard became involved with the S.W.A.T Team  at that time and helped execute entry operations for the 21st Judicial  Drug Task Force. 


He activley participated in training Patrol personal as well as S.W.A.T. team members in various aspects of hand-to-hand combat and advanced weapon and firearm  tactics.


1995

1993

1995

  Sensei Gabbard has also served as a licensed Certified Armed Body Guard in the state of Tennessee and has rendered Personal Protection Service 

to some of the worlds top Movie Stars 

and Musical Talent. 


Some of Mr. Gabbards

Clients have included....


Actor Steven Segal 

Comedian Tom Arnold 

Personalities Donnie 

And Marie Osmond 

Music Stars Vince Gill & Amy Grant Musician And Comedian 

Garry Chapman 

Pop Star Group Hanson

2016

1993

1995

  Sensei Gabbard was promoted to

Ku-Dan 9th Dan  

on October 8th 2016 by his 

Sensei Master Phil McElroy and the

The International Isshinryu

Karate Association
Board Of Directors.  

INSTRUCTORS OF INFLUENCE

Phil McElroy

Denny Shaffer

Denny Shaffer

 Sensei Phil McElroy 

was in charge of operations at the 

Nashville Dojo when Sensei Gabbard 

attended his first  class. 

Sensei McElroy was busy leading the group  of tough and hardened Black Belts 

during this time. 


He remains the guiding force for the Nashville Dojo Group group and still operates the FBC Dojo in Smyrna Tn.

Denny Shaffer

Denny Shaffer

Denny Shaffer

 The  Karate School Of Nashville opened in 1966 by Sensei John Denny Shaffer.  This Dojo was one of the most successful and competitive schools in all  of North America producing over 150 experienced 

Black Belt Instructors . 


Mr Shaffer spent many years becoming successful in the Health Club industry until retiring and returning to full time Martial Arts,  forming the Red Dragon Group based  in South Carolina.

Master Long

Denny Shaffer

Masters Nagle & Long

Pictured with Master Long at the 1993 Isshinryu Hall Of Fame 

on ESPN

Grand Master Harold Long was the guiding light for the Nashville Dojo and to each of us individually.

He was a true leader and personal 

friend.

The private time we spent in the Dojo discussing techniques are treasured memories.

Master Long founded the IIKA and the 

IIKA Nationals which later became the 

Isshinryu Hall Of Fame that we know today.

Masters Nagle & Long

Masters Nagle & Long

Masters Nagle & Long

Master Nagle and Long horsing around threatening to "Punch Out" Master Gabbard

Master Don Nagle

Masters Nagle & Long

Master Harold Mitchum

Sensei Gabbard had the honor of spending time with Master Nagel each time he visited the NY ,NJ Tournaments as well as the

East Tn Tournaments.

The random 5am phone calls with Master Nagel will always be treasured.

Master Harold Mitchum

Masters Nagle & Long

Master Harold Mitchum

Sensei Gabbard had the honor of spending time with Master Harold Mitchum hosting him at his Dojo and at Seminars. 

My Greatest Achievement

Our Family

The family that fights together stays together.

Click Here To See Our Instructors

Copyright © 2023 Martial Arts For The Heart - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by GoDaddy

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept