Our Mission.....

Our Club's ultimate goal is the

"Perfection of Character" of its participants.

-Gichin Funakoshi

Blue Ridge Karate Clubs of WNC are dedicated to the instruction and preservation of traditional Shotokan Karate. Participants can expect to receive traditional martial arts training and knowledge as passed on through generations of martial artists. Each student will be taught in a way that demands respect and develops self esteem.

Western North Carolina Martial Arts consists of Blue Ridge Karate Clubs of Asheville, Waynesville, Cashiers, Hazelwood Elementary and Rabun Gap. Our clubs teach traditional JKA Shotokan Karate to help the development of self discipline, learning what has been passed through many generations and having fun. Our classes focus on self empowerment, mentoring and teaching students our “KIDS RULE - NO BULLIES ALLOWED!” philosophy. We teach positive alternatives to fighting, peer pressure, bullying, drugs and alcohol. Our program uses traditional martial arts training as a means for students to understand all available options and demonstrates why bullying and violent reactions to bullies aren’t the correct decisions. We also empower students to be peer mediators when they witness aggression against peers.

The instructors, who continue in their own personal training, focus on the accomplishments of the individual student, not the accomplishments of the instructors. Accomplishments, as viewed by the instructors, include improved self esteem and self respect.

Currently all Blue Ridge Clubs are affiliated with the South Atlantic Karate Association headed by Shigeru Takashina . Their organization is guided by the International Shotokan Karate Federation & the Japan Karate Association, all of which are bound on preserving Shotokan Karate the way that the founder Gichin Funakoshi intended it to be. They maintain a strict system of tradition and discipline within their karate system. Their training is excellent for the traditional Shotokan Student.

Our Club:

Blue Ridge Karate Club Cashiers & Rabun Gap instructor is Mark Zachary. Mark has trained in various martial arts for the last 40 years. Mark has most recently been instructed by: Pietro Zaupa, & continues instruction with Shigeru Takashina since early 1993. Mark is currently ranked San-Dan within the Ren Bu Kan Vicenza system of Karate. Mark is also a Ni-Dan in ISKF / JKA system of Shotokan. The Cashiers Club has been providing karate instruction in this area since 1985. Cashiers classes are held in the Glenville Masonic Building in Glenville, N.C. Class times are Monday and Thursday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 weekly. Rabun Gap classes have been part of the school curriculum beginning in the 2001-2002 school year. Classes are on Monday and Wednesday evenings in the Science Building on campus.


Blue Ridge Karate Club Waynesville & Hazelwood Elementary instructor is Boyd Ammons. He has trained in various martial arts for the last 20 years. Boyd has been instructed by Pietro Zaupa, Randy Patterson & Shigeru Takashina since early 1983. Boyd is ranked Ni-Dan in ISKF / JKA system of Shotokan. Boyd is also ranked Ni-Dan within the Ren Bu Kan Vicenza system of Karate.

The Waynesville Club has been affiliated with the Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department since 2001. Waynesville classes are held in the Old Armory Building on Tuesday & Wednesday nights from 5-6 for Beginners, and 6-7 for advanced belts. The Hazelwood Elementary After School Program is held in the Hazelwood Elementary School Gym on Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:00 - 4:15. All students in the Latch Key Program attend. This service is provided on a volunteer basis, and offers adolescent advanced belts the opportunity to act as assistant instructors.