Shodai Gene Thorner

Grand Master of Gyaku-Nami-Do Karate Do

Master Gene Thorner began his Martial Arts training when he was six years old, training in Judo with his younger brother and father at the Naha Police Dojo in Okinawa, Japan. His study of Karate began at the age of 11, under the direction of 10^th Dan Grand Master Shuguro Nakazato in Makiminato, Okinawa. Before leaving Okinawa, Shodai Thorner earned the ranks of Sho Dan (1st Degree Black Belt) in both Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobujutsu (weaponry) under Shuguro Nakazato Sensei; and Sho Dan rankings in both Judo and Aikido from Sgt. Jesus Varella.

Shodai Thorner came to America in 1967, and in 1969, began training under Soke Glenn R. Premru (Head of the Okinawan Karate Federation and successor to Hohan Soken Sensei, the Grand Master of Matsumura Seito Shorin-Ryu), earning the rank of Ku Dan (9^th Degree Black Belt) from Soke Premru. Also during this time, Shodai Thorner began training in Pai-Lum Kung-Fu under the direction of Grand Master Daniel K. Pai, and was accepted as one of Lung Pai’s original ten disciples. Master Thorner is also an original member of the Master’s World of Karate & Kung-Fu World Tour, which was produced by Soke Premru & featured Master Pai and Master Ted Vollrath.

In addition to his Gyaku-Nami-Do and Shorin-Ryu Karate ranks, Shodai Thorner currently holds the ranks of 6^th Degree Black Belt in Judo, 6^th Level Instructor in Pai-Lum Kung-Fu, 6^th Level Instructor in Southern Chinese Kempo, 4^th Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Kobudo, 2^nd Degree Black Belt in Goshin Jujutsu and 2^nd Degree Black Belt in Aikido.

Master Thorner has authored and illustrated a book, The Basic Principles of Judo & Karate… He was featured in the documentary film, Let Me Live in Your World with Master Ted Vollrath, and appeared again, opposite Master Vollrath in the motion picture Mr. No Legs (aka, Killers Die Hard ). Master Thorner has been responsible for providing security for many high-profile celebrities and touring bands, such as Van Halen, The Rolling Stones, and Rod Stewart…

Now living in Lakeland, Florida, Shodai Thorner is the Grand Master of Gyaku-Nami-Do Karate, six-time W.Va. AAU Judo State Champion, Tri-state Judo Champion (Ohio, Pa and WV), a two-time National Judo Champion and is the Chairman of the Board for the Association of the Schools of the Martial Arts (ASMA). Shodai Thorner also help create KICK/usa, an organization devoted to Youth in Martial Arts competition, and has always served as the Head Arbitrator for the KICK Nationals, held every year at Disney’s Wild World of Sports. He is no longer active with that orgainization.

Shodai loves the Arts but does not make a living from it. He is a College Graduate with a Computer Science Degree. He is and now working as a Senior Computer Analyst/ Programmer. He reciently re-married to a beautiful lady, Jan and she working on her Black belt in Karate. He has three grown Children. The two daughters, Cherish and Shana have both achieved their Black in Karate. His son, Kaine achieved his 2^nd Dan in Judo and 5^th Dan in Karate.