CT033 David Hamann Part 1

This week's guest is my friend, business partner, occasional employer, and teacher,  Sensei David Hamann.  Mr. Hamann is currently the head instructor and co-owner (along with myself and Bob Volz) of the Kosho School of Karate in Cincinnati Ohio.

David Hamann began his karate training on October 31, 1973 at the age of 20 under Sensei Phillip Koeppel, Shorei-ryu Chief Instructor. Hamann enrolled in the newly opened Pekin, Illinois dojo, one of several schools Sensei Koeppel would open across the central United States. Soon after his promotion to yellow belt, Hamann began business management training with plans of some day operating one of Sensei Koeppel’s schools. For the next six years Hamann studied karate under Master Koeppel and his black belt students, including Randy Holman, Mark Shear, Ray Bloom, Gene Nelson, Joe Walker, Mike Sheen, Tony Fyock, Ric Beach, Vicki Johnson and Mark Petersen. Peers of Hamann training in the dojo during that time included Steve Mott, Ron Rollins, Rick Martis, Wilford Lother, Randy Lloyd, Clark Wade and Alan Cromer. Hamann also began teaching and, over time, operated a number of Sensei Koeppel’s dojos.

Business/teaching assignments included:

• Assistant manager – Peoria Dojo
• Assistant manager – Pekin Dojo
• Interim manager – Cleveland Dojo
• MManager/Sensei – Champaign Dojo
• Manager/Instructor – Dayton Dojo

 

 

 

 

 

As Dojo Manager, Mr. Hamann traveled the United States Karate Association (USKA) tournament circuit, competing in national and international competitions from Minneapolis to Miami, Detroit to St. Louis and Phoenix to Pittsburgh; taking first place 22 times, second place 11 times and third place 6 times. Hamann competed within other organizations including the PKC and AAU, and in numerous Phil Koeppel Schools of Karate inter-dojo tournaments.

David Hamann left the karate business in May 1980 to pursue a design degree at the University of Cincinnati (U.C.). Upon arriving in Cincinnati, Hamann introduced himself to Shuri-Ryu Chief Instructor Michael Awad, requesting permission to train with him, his brothers and students. Hamann was welcomed as a standing member and instructor at Sensei Awad’s Kosho School Karate School.

While attending U.C., Hamann completed design internships in Columbus, Ohio where he organized a karate club and taught for nine months; and in Winchester, Virginia where he taught advanced students at the Tom Glass Karate Club for six months.

David Hamann graduated from U.C. in June 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Design. Upon graduation, he took a position with Index Design Associates in Cincinnati. For the following nine years, Hamann continued to train with Michael Awad and students. He also maintained a dojo at the design office where he worked – for personal training and occasional employee lessons.

In June 1993 David Hamann started his own product design business, David Hamann Design, and in January 1994, with a small group of students, he opened the Northside Karate Club in the historic Northside district of Cincinnati. During this time, Hamann continued to train with Master Koeppel and with the Awad’s, which he continues to do to this day.        

David Hamann also broadened his karate knowledge and experience through training, classes and seminars led by the following Sensei: (chronologically)

• Glen Keeney
• Mel Wise
• Master Robert Trias
• James McLain
• Ross Scott
• David Suzuki
• Parker Shelton
• Robert Yarnall
• James Horne
• Bill Wallace
• KennethPenland
• Ronald Lindsey
• Patrick McCarthy
• Takayoshi Nagamine
• Kimo Wall
• Charles Plaines
• Bill Hayes
• Doug Perry
• Hidy Ochiai
• Others

Over the years, David Hamann taught and influenced hundreds of students in many locations, and continued to compete in tournaments across the country.

David Hamann holds the following rank, honors and positions:

• 7^th degree black belt, Shuri-Ryu
• Double-Axe award recipient - distinguished student of Master Phillip Koeppel
  
• Member, United States Karate-do Kai association (USKK)
• Bushido International Society member - outstanding competitor award, USKK
• Ohio State Representative, USKK
• President, Life Membership Society, USKK

 

 

To find out more about the Kosho School of Karate and Sensei David  Hamann, go to www.koshoschoolofkarate.com, visit the show's page on Facebook, call 513-510-3844, or email KoshoSchoolOfKarate@gmail.com

To find out more about his industrial design business:  David Hamann Design, or the  products he has currently on the market, and, go to www.davidhamann.com, or e-mail dhamann@davidhamann.com