Shihan | Ian Quitadamo
Teacher. Mentor. Learner.
Description
Shihan Quitadamo began martial arts training almost 40 years ago in Danzanryu Jiu‐jutsu under Sensei Ron Jennings. During this time he met Professor Wally Jay, an international jiu‐jutsu expert. After jiu‐jutsu, kyu Quitadamo began training under Senpai Tommy Burris and later under Sensei John Adams in Dentoteki Karate, an unrecognized branch of Kyokushin under Sensei Don Allen. Quitadamo remained with Sensei Adams when he left Dentoteki and joined IKO-Matsushima under then Shihan Roman Szyrajew. Senpai Quitadamo graded to nidan shortly after Shihan Adams switched to IKO‐Matsushima, and graded to sandan (2002), yondan (2006), godan (2012), and rokudan (2023) at the 1st, 2nd, and 6th World Cup tournaments in Maine, USA, Sydney, Australia, and Santiago, Chile as well as the 3rd World Tournament in Isesaki, Japan officiated by Kancho Yoshikazu Matsushima, Hanshi John Taylor, Shihan Roman Szyrajew and other members of the international executive board.
Over the past 38 years, Shihan Quitadamo has hosted and participated in the Kyokushin Challenge and Kyokushin Open Karate tournaments, seminars, annual summer camps, community events, and various activities for the United States branch of IKO‐Matsushima. Shihan Quitadamo founded the Central Kyokushin Karate dojo over 20 years ago, where it has grown from 4 students to many diverse community members.
The Central Kyokushin dojo has hosted the annual Kyokushin Challenge (with guest of honor Kancho Matsushima), international open tournaments that drew over 70 full contact fighters from across the U.S. and several countries. Shihan Quitadamo is an IKO‐certified (#0039) corner judge and has served in major international events, including the 1st and 2nd World Cup tournaments, 3rd World Tournament, and as center referee (#0136) at the 6th World Cup and numerous regional and national venues that include the Kyokushin Challenge and Kyokushin Open karate tournaments.
The Central Kyokushin dojo has performed many demonstrations for academic, business, and other groups and has also co‐produced a self-defense DVD. Shihan Quitadamo last fought competitively in international knockdown tournaments at the 2009 Kyokushin Challenge in Seattle, WA. Prior to that he competed in the 2000 Mas Oyama Memorial Cup in Montreal, Canada where he fought in the men’s unlimited heavyweight division. Although not his major focus, many of Shihan Quitadamo’s students have competed internationally, including multiple first, second, and third place finishes in recent Kyokushin Challenge and Kyokushin Open tournaments. Eight of Shihan Quitadamo’s students have earned spots on the United States knockdown team and competed around the world, including Sarah Woolley, who was awarded a 4th place finish at the 2004 World Tournament in Japan.
Shihan Quitadamo’s goal is to create a culture and an environment where every person can discover their true self through Kyokushin training. Anyone who desires to learn is welcome to join his dojo family, regardless of color, creed, religion, sexual preference, or life experience. Shihan Quitadamo believes that every person has inherent value, that hard training is a path to enlightenment, and that one should never stop learning, benefitting from as many different perspectives as possible. Working together, everyone can discover the ultimate truth for themselves. Osu!
