Sensei Carlos A. Martinez, has been practicing the martial art of Karate-Do for more than 37 years. Originally from El Salvador where he was a very active competitor in the Central America, Panama, Caribean and Mexico with organizations such as the Asociacion de Karate-Do de El Salvador, World Union of Karate-Do Organization (WUKO), Panamerican Union of Karate-Do, Union Latinoamericana y del Caribe de Karate-Do (ULCKA). He started training in the early 70’s in the Shito Ryu style of Karate-Do, then in San Ku Kai, earning his Black Belt Shodan in 1976 under Professor Francisco Miranda (known as the father of Karate-Do in El Salvador).
Moving to San Francisco, California in 1978 where his search for a karate school led him to Master John Pereira at the Market Street Dojo. Since then dedicated himself to continue the practice of Karate-Do in the Shorinji Ryu style then in the Wado Ki Kai style founded by Sensei John Pereira. Moving up the ranks and teaching first in San Francisco, So. San Francisco, then in Vallejo, Fairfield and Vacaville.
Sensei Martinez has been a member of the well known national organization American Teacher Association of the Martial Arts (ATAMA) since 1983; the International Society of Okinawan/Japanese Karate-Do (ISOK) since 1994 (where he's the ISOK Regional Representative for North America SouthWest); the Martial Arts Instructors - USA organization (MAIUSA) since 2005; joined the USA National Karate-Do Federation (USANKF) since February/2007 and the Northern California Karate-Do Federation (NCKF).
Sensei Martinez present rank as Shichidan 7th Degree Black Belt, was presented to him last March/2006 by Professor Leroy Rodrigues (9th Degree) from the Shinkyu Shotokan Karate-Do and Soke/Professor Tim Delgman (9th Degree) from the San Francisco Zen Budo Kai organization.