"My daughter and I love our karate training at Sensei's private dojo. We have taken martial arts classes before from other instructors, but getting trained by Sensei Mansyur is quite an experience. His flexible training schedule took out a big burden off my shoulders and made the training an enjoyable experience for a busy working mom like me. I am always amazed at his attention to details, concentration, dedication and passion in teaching each and every student paying individual attention to every one of us. He goes sleepless training his students for competitions. In addition to these professional qualities, his gentle personality, humanness, humbleness and kindness have made him a true and a complete teacher. Head to the dojo is you are looking for not just the karate training for your family, but for the hidden lessons about the life and importance of discipline and hard work. It feels like home at the dojo."
Sunitha Jayasim
"Sensei Deddy has had a profound impact on the life of my entire family. Over the past few years, I have seen my husband and daughter develop into serious, committed athletes. Their love of karate has even rubbed off on me! I consider myself a true "karate mom" now. Attending classes, seminars and tournaments, my family has been able to spend quality, rewarding time together. Karate has helped my daughter develop self-awareness and self-confidence. She is comfortable performing in front of a large crowd with ease--something not every nine year old can do! I attribute this to the dedication of Sensei Deddy. His patience, enthusiasm and love for karate shows in everything he does. He is a fantastic teacher! Whether it is front of 100 students, or one-one-one, Sensei motivates his students effortlessly. He shows how karate translates to everyday life and makes it relevant for his students. We will always appreciate Sensei Deddy's dedication to the sport. We are proud to call him our teacher and our friend."
Stephanie Jensen
"Before I started Shotokan, I did another style of Karate. I have to say, when I started Shotokan, I really felt like I had accomplished something. I like things that are traditional , and Japanese Karate seemed traditional to me. Now I am a green belt, and I still have a long way to go, but unfortunately, not with Sensei. Sensei has been a great teacher, and a great friend, too, for my dad and I, and we will miss him and the dojo a lot."
Sophie Jensen
"I have been practicing Karate-Do since 1980. I moved to the United States in 1998. After I moved here my first task was to find a dojo where I could continue my training. After visiting many dojos, another sensei in Houston told me: Rene, I know what exactly you are looking for, but you won't find it here. He recommended me to visit the UH Shotokan Karate-Do Club. After my first practice there I realized that this was not just another dojo for training, but also for mental and spiritual development. The sensation I have after every practice there is that I have learned something and that I helped somebody to learn as well, which is the most important part of Karate-Do"
René Canales
"I was a regular member of the University of Houston Shotokan Karate Club from 1988 until 2002. I had the great fortune of seeing Sensei Deddy Mansyur and the University of Houston Shotokan Karate club working out in the Fall of 1988. At the time, I was unemployed, had no permanent address, and my life lacked direction. During my early training, I had to decide to use what little money I had to eat or to put gas in my car to attend the weekly karate classes. I am very glad that I decided to attend class on a regular basis. The regular training helped me focus my life and I found a large group of new friends that quickly became like family to me. After joining the club, I started taking classes to become a certified teacher. I received my teacher certification in 1991 while a club member and took a job at Paul Revere Middle School in the Houston Independent School District. While at Paul Revere Middle School, with the encouragement of Sensei Deddy, I started a karate club for my students. The University of Houston Shotokan Karate Club group members helped me with the club and performed regular karate demonstrations for my students and faculty members. Several of my middle school students became members of the U of H Shotokan Karate Club during my 5 year tenure at Paul Revere. During this time I also was the lead instructor for the Houston METRO Shotokan Karate Club. Along with Sensei Deddy and other group members, I participated in several karate tournaments and had the honor of attending seminars and training with karate legends like Senseis Okazaki, Mikami, Higaonna, and Chuck Norris. My membership and training in the U of H Shotokan Karate Club helped inspire me to pursue higher education and advanced degrees in Physical Education at the University of Houston. While a member, I received my Master's and Doctoral Degrees in Physical Education. In my published doctoral thesis I acknowledged the important role that Sensei Deddy Mansyur and my U of H Shotokan Karate friends and family played in helping me earn my doctorate. My U of H Shotokan Karate family were there at both my graduations for my Master's and Doctoral degrees. During my years as a member, I have proudly held several different club offices and was a Board Member for FPEMA. I have never known anyone as passionate about karate as Sensei Deddy. He very lovingly and selflessly gives away his knowledge of karate to anyone with the desire to learn. In all of my years with the U of H Shotokan Karate Club Sensei Deddy never charged me a penny for any of his instruction and trained me from a novice white belt with absolutely no knowldege of karate into a 1st Degree Black Belt. I have been truly blessed with my experiences and friends that I have made while a member of the U of H Shotokan Karate Club. Currently, I am raising my son Gregory, Jr. with my wife Megan, and I am an assistant professor of Kinesiology at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. I continue to stay in contact with Sensei Deddy and several of my karateka friends and family on an almost daily basis, and I am very proud to still be associated with the club as an alumnus. God bless you all."
Dr. Gregory J.Soukup,Sr.
