Carolina Isshinryu Academy - Monroe, NC
Enterprise Fitness 2585 W Roosevelt Blvd, Monroe, NC 28110
Monday evenings:
6:30-7:30 PM
7:30-8:30 PM
Wednesday evenings:
6:30-7:30
Monroe Aquatics and Fitness Center, 2325 Hanover Drive, Monroe, NC 28110
Thursday evenings:
5:30PM to 6:30 PM
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Saturday morning
10:30-11:30 AM
Contact: Sensei Don Gyr at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information
Sensei Don Gyr (6th Dan Isshinryu)
Location/date of birth: Batavia, New York in 1965.
Date/Location/Instructor where Isshinryu training began: 1985 in Rochester, New York with Sensei Curt Sawyer.
Date received Sho-Dan in Isshinryu karate: August 2000.
Date received present rank: Sichi-Dan in Isshinryu - June 2024.
Organizational support: USIK, Member of the OIKKA since 1990; member of USAF since 1994; member of AOKA since 2004; member of USJA since 2003.
Awards (Martial Arts): Participated in karate demonstration to commemorate the reopening of Shuri Castle in Okinawa, Japan in 1992.
Profession: Commercial Diver.
Education: A.A.S Optical Technology, Monroe Community College 1988. B.A. Physics, St. John Fisher College 1990. Commercial Diver Certification, Divers Institute of Technology 1998. Personal Trainer Certification, Cooper Institute 2002.
Personal: Wife: Lesley; Daughter: Erin
Sensei Justin Serpico (5th Dan Isshinryu)
Location/date of birth: Morristown, New Jersey in 1974
Date/Location/Instructor where Isshinryu training began: Summer of 2005 in Stallings, NC with Master Mitch Kobylanski.
Date received Sho-Dan Isshinryu rank: April 29, 2009 - Sho-Dan.
Date received present Isshinryu rank: Go-Dan October 2020.
Organizational support: USIK, Member of the AOKA since 2005.
Profession: Technology Development Project Manager
Education: B.S. Biology and Environmental Ecology from UNC-Asheville - 1997
Personal: Wife: Sarah; Children: Gabrielle and Evelyn.