Grand Master Mitch Kobylanski

Mitch Kobylanski began his studies of Isshin Ryu in 1969 in Holyoke, MA under the tutelage of Master Lewis Lizotte. Prior to relocating to North Carolina in 1977, Master Kobylanski was an avid competitor in New England.  In the early to mid 70's, he was rated as one of the top kumite competitors. 

Master Kobylanski began as a member of the American Okinawan Karate Association (AOKA). He has held a variety of positions with the AOKA, including member of the Promotion Board, member of the Board of Directors and finally the President of the Association. He travels extensively through the Southeast, South, Midwest and Northeast promoting Isshin Ryu karate in the form of seminars, testing and tournament participation. He has personally conducted seminars in MS, FL, SC, TN, NC, VA, IN, IL, MI, MA, CN and RI.

In 2009, Master Kobylanski hosted the first Kyufest.  This is a tournament for Isshinryu karateka that are under Black Belt.  It offers a safe environment for our Isshinryu students to test their skills in Weapons, Kata and Kumite. This is an invitational tournament that is judged only by Isshinryu Black Belts for Isshinryu students of all ages and ranks white thru brown belt levels.  Students must compete in both kata and kumite and each division is pre-determined to max out at 8 competitors. The local support from the Isshinryu Black Belt community has been great and we are always able to have 5 judges in each of the rings. 

Although there was always a close relationship with all Isshinryu dojos, we formally started the United Southern Isshinryu Karate organization in 2017.  We hold multiple seminars throughout the year which are our members can attend at no cost. Our goal is to maintain consistency in our Isshinryu training and give our members the opportunity to work with and learn from a variety of talented Black Belt instructors. 

Since the 70's, Master Kobylanski has actively been involved in raising money for various charities through seminars, demonstrations and clinics. He has helped generate monies for the Shiner’s Hospital, Holy Angels (orphanage), outside play equipment for a local pre-school and fund raisers for area Middle and High Schools.