Sensei
Burns started training in August of 1990 at the age of 18 while attending
classes at Collin County Community College. He studied under Sensei
Diana Worthen in Wado Shinzen Kai karate. Sensei Burns joined the Worthen
Karate Academy and trained heavily everyday at the dojo until he moved
to College Station to attend Sam Houston State University in the fall
of 1992. While away at school he traveled home every weekend to train
privately with Sensei Worthen and fellow karate-ka Kevin Brown. Sensei
Burns trained with Sensei Worthen's instructor, Shihan Tom Sergent of
Waco, to supplement his regular training. In1995, Sensei Burns graduated
from college and returned to his hometown of Plano where he continued
to train under Sensei Worthen. January 1, 1996 Sensei Worthen retired
from teaching karate and passed the dojo to Sensei Burns` long time
friend, Sensei Darrin Free. Sensei Burns immediately became a partner
in the ownership of the dojo and the dojo was renamed the Academy of
Classical Karate-do. In the fall of 1996 Sensei Burns earned his black
belt from Shihan Tom Sergent and Shodai John Hawk in Wado Shinzen Kai.
In the fall of 2000, Sensei Burns earned his second degree black belt,
testing in front of a prestigious review board consisting of Master
Roy Kurban, Shihan Ivan Lewis (Goju-ryu),Sensei James Melton (Shotokan),
Sensei Makio Nishida (Kyokushin kai), Shihan Tom Sergent (Wado) and
Shodai John Hawk (Wado). In April of 2001, Sensei Burns affiliated with
the Wado International Karatedo Federation (WIKF) and began his training
with the most senior Wado instructor in world, Tatsuo Suzuki. In September
of 2001, Sensei Burns was awarded his Sensei title and in December of
2003, earned his third degree black belt from Tatsuo Suzuki at a test
held at the Academy of Classical Karate in Plano, Texas. He has traveled
to Japan, Spain, Puerto Rico and all across the US to train with Suzuki
Sensei. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the USA
branch of the Wado International Karatedo Federation and was personally
asked by Tatsuo Suzuki to organize and host the 2005 WIKF World Championships.
Sensei Burns was an active competitor both locally and nationally earning
national ranking, State Championship titles and the TKL Golden Eagle
Award. He is both an ASEP certified coach and AAU National level Coach.
He is the Head Coach of WIKF Texas, the competition team of the Academy
of Classical Karate-do. Sensei Burns is proud of his team's track record
and has coached several State and National Champions. He has helped
members of the team qualify for the US National Karate Team and represent
the United States in international competitions.
Sensei Burns has been a Police Officer for the City of Grand Prairie
since 1996. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Sam Houston State
University in Criminal Justice and is currently a Financial Crimes Investigator
assigned to investigate various fraud related crimes that occur throughout
the city. In addition to his investigative duties, he is the Defensive
Tactics Coordinator for the Police Department and is responsible for
training fellow Officers in the proper use of force and control tactics.
He has trained with federal agencies including the FBI and the Department
of Energy. He is on the faculty at Collin County Community College where
he has taught Self-Defense and Karate courses to hundreds of students.
He has been the Chairman of the Safety and Security Committee for Collin
County Community College District, which oversees security measures
and safety procedures for students, faculty and staff.
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Sensei Burns
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