American Ni-Goju Karate Association

Officers Profiles

  • John Liles, 6th Dan
  • President
    • John Liles began his karate training mid 1970's as a teenager under Andy White, 6th Dan. White was the NAKBA Southern States Middle Wt. Champion, & WKA U.S. Welter weight Champion, in addition to many regional and national point tournament titles. After earning his 1st Degree Black Belt, Liles began a number of karate clubs in surrounding small towns around Lubbock, Texas.

     When Andy White moved out of the immediate Lubbock Area, Liles switched to White's former business partner and instructor, Charles Bouton. Under Bouton he earned his 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Degree Black Belts.

     Bouton founded the school "Lubbock Karate" in 1986 and sold it to John Liles in 1989. Liles has operated the school since that time.

     Liles holds a kyoshi instructors license in the Dai Ni Gojuryu system from the Kokusai Dai Ni Gojuryu Karate Kyokai, and is ranked 6th Dan in Tae Kwon Do Chung Duk Kwan, 5th Dan in Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan, 2nd Dan in Kobudo,  1st Dan in Batto Jutsu and 1st Dan in Jujitsu.

     Liles has won numerous regional and state titles in tournament competition. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the American Karate Black Belt Association, Chin Sook Hage Kwan, and is 1st Vice-President of the Kokusai Dai Ni Gojuryu Karate Kyokai.
     
     

  • Katherine Speers, 4th Dan
  • Vice-President
    • Katherine Speers began her karate training in the early 1980's under Andy White, 4th Dan, and while a green belt came under the instruction of Charles Bouton, 8th Dan. She earned her 1st Degree Black Belt in 1986.

     She previously held the position of Secretary of the Promotion Board of the American Ni-Goju Karate Association. She holds a renshi license from the Kokusai Dai Ni Gojuryu Karate Kyokai. She is ranked 4th Dan in Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan, 4th dan in Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan, and 6th Dan in Batto Jutsu (sword). She also studies jujitsu, aiki jitsu, kobudo, and simdo kwan.

     She had a successful career in regional tournaments, and was an instructor at Lubbock Karate from its founding. She now resides and teaches in San Angelo, Texas.
     
     

  • Robin Riccardi, 3rd Dan
  • Secretary of the Promotion Board
    • Robin Riccardi began her karate study under John Liles and continues to be an instructor at the Lubbock Karate school. She is currently Mr. Liles senior ranking student. She has competed in the regional and state tournament circuits.

     She is currently studying Kobudo, Batto Jutsu, and Jujitsu.
     
     

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