Shihan Jim Owner and Master Instructor Biography :: Credentials
		Biography Shihan, Master Instructor, Jim Cvetkovski has been involved in the martial arts since the age of 14. He loved watching the old Kung Fu movies with David Carradine, who portrayed a Shaolin monk. Shihan Jim became fascinated with the traditions and history of the martial arts, the intenseness of the conditioning and training and how the different styles were developed. His passion grew as he studied more about the discipline of the Shaolin monks, their endless hours of training and how the martial arts became a part of their lives on a physical, mental and spiritual level. Shihan Jim then discovered the Bruce Lee movies in the early 70’s. He read every book and magazine he could get his hands on about Bruce’s style and trained with all his techniques. At 14 years of age, he began his formal Isshin-Ryu Karate training with Master Roger Rainville. While attending Buffalo State College, Shihan Jim also became involved in other styles of martial arts, including: Kenpo, Judo, and Tae Kwon-Do. He then started competing in tournaments and later earned Black Belts in Isshin-Ryu, Tae Kwon-Do and Kenpo Karate. After graduation, he worked as an engineer for Conax Corporation and continued to train. Eventually, after 6 years as an engineer, he began to pursue the martial arts as a teaching career. Shihan Jim taught part-time for 7 years and in March 1993, decided to open his own school-the Western New York Karate Center. Shihan Jim’s passion for and love of the martial arts is evident in his classes, bringing students to a level of training that is both physically and mentally challenging. He has the students perform katas, a series of prearranged karate maneuvers against one or more imaginary attackers. Additionally, he explains the movements and what the karate masters had in mind when they developed each kata. His research in katas is endless. “A kata can be an encyclopedia of self-defense techniques,” says Shihan Jim. “It is a story, a road map of the human body. Every kata in Isshin-Ryu has a different pattern and therefore tells a different story. A student needs to become part of the story when doing a kata. For every move there are at least three self-defense techniques. If you do a kata without understanding the meaning behind it, then it is just a dance-not a martial art.” Shihan Jim has studied with many local, national and international masters from many different styles including: Grand Masters Kichiro Shimabuku and Angi Uezu from Okinawa Japan, Master Al Tracy, Bill Wallace, Professor Wally Jay, Professor Remy Presas, George Dillman, Nick Gracinin, Roger Rainville, Bill Adams, Cesar Borkowske, Ernie McPeak, Joe Pokego, John Overton, Tim Hartman, Rich Beaupit and Dennis “Hutch” Hutchins. Although the style he teaches at the Western New York Karate Center is Isshin-Ryu, Shihan Jim has studied Kenpo, Tae Kwon-Do, Jiujitsu, Arnis, Tai-Chi Chuan and Chi Kung, pressure points, Shotokan, Goju-Ryu and Shorin Ryu. His vast knowledge and experience in such a diverse range of styles helps him provide his students with the best possible instruction in katas, weapons, sparring and self-defense. Shihan Jim has been invited many times by Grand Master Angi Uezu to spend time in Okinawa. “Maybe one of these years, if I can leave my students for a few weeks, I might consider it,” says Shihan Jim, “but for right now my students are my first priority.” To Shihan Jim, achieving the rank of Black Belt is the first stage of a person becoming a serious martial artist. There is a saying, “A Black Belt is a White Belt who did not quit, and a master is a Black Belt who did not quit.” Shihan Jim believes that a person can literally spend their entire lifetime focusing on just one aspect of the martial arts and still not comprehend it completely. Even now as a 7th degree Black Belt, he continues to attend and host seminars to improve and enhance his skills for himself and his students. Credentials Owner and Master Instructor of WNY Karate Center since March 1st, 1993 Over 35 years experience in the Martial Arts 7th degree Black Belt (Master Instructor) in Isshin-Ryu Karate 5th degree Black Belt (Master Instructor) in Kenpo Karate 5th degree Black Belt (Master Instructor) in Tae Kwon-Do (ITF) 1st degree Black Belt in Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu Tai-Chi Chuan Instructor #1 rated competitor in Self-Defense in the Northeast, rated by NBL (National Black Belt League) in 1992. 1992 Can-Am Isshin-Ryu Karate Champion Producer of Local and National Champions Member of IWKA (Isshin-Ryu World Karate Association) and OIKA (Okinawan Isshin-Ryu Karate Association) Member of LTKKA (Larry Tatum Kenpo Karate Association) in Pasadena, California Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Buffalo State College Shihan Jim worked for Conax Corp. as a Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineer and later was promoted to Nuclear Project Engineer. Inducted into the Hall of Fame of Sport Karate International and the East Coast Karate Organization (March 29, 2003), for his contribution, dedication and commitment to the martial arts, the community and his students. Read about Shihan Jim’s hero HERE