Kyle Yoshinobu Funakoshi was born on April 21, 1973 in Honolulu, Hawaii. When he was five years old, he began training in 1978 under his father, Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi at the original main dojo (Puck’s Alley) in Honolulu, Hawaii. Shihan Funakoshi trained directly under Japan Karate Association (JKA) instructors Asai and Kanazawa Senseis. As a youth, Kyle Funakoshi trained at seminars conducted by Asai Sensei and Kanazawa Sensei, two world renowned senseis and competitors.
Sensei Kyle has been training in Shotokan Karate for 39 years and currently instructs full time at the FSKA Headquarters, teaching all youth and adult classes, beginner through Black Belt. In addition to his teaching schedule, he attended San Jose State University, graduating with a BS Degree in Business, with emphasis on Accounting & Finance.
Sensei Kyle competed at the national and international levels as a youth and adult. His skills were such that, by age 16, he competed in the adult divisions where he continued his winning record. In numerous FSKA competitions, Sensei Kyle consistently demonstrated his skill and talent
- 1992 – 1st place in Men’s Kata and Kumite (Lt. Wt. Division).
- 1993 – 1st place in Men’s Kata and Kumite (Lt. Wt. Division).
- 1994 – 1st place in Men’s Kata and Kumite (Lt. Wt. Division).
- 1995 – 1st place in Men’s Kata and Kumite (Lt. Wt. Division).
- 1996 – 1st place in Men’s Kata and Kumite (Lt. Wt. Division).
- 1997 – 1st place in Men’s Kata and Kumite (Lt. Wt. Division).
- 1998 – 1st place in Men’s Kata and Kumite (Lt. Wt. Division).
- 1999 – 1st place in Men’s Kata and Kumite (Lt. Wt. Division).
- 1992 – JKA Northern California Tournament (Sensei Yaguchi).
- 1st Place in Men’s Kumite
- Outstanding Competitor
During Sensei Kyle’s competition career, his stellar performance placed him in competition with other outstanding martial artists. Sensei Kyle retired from competition at an early age because his expertise and abilities gravitated toward teaching and inspiring people to realize their abilities and potential in karate and in their daily lives.
Sensei Kyle presents seminars at the FSKA World Headquarters and at FSKA affiliates nationally and internationally. Additionally, he is a highly rated Tournament level Official.
Quote by Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi, “Sensei Kyle is my best Competitor, Official, and Instructor.”
You may have seen Sensei Kyle on the cover of various martial arts publications. He has been featured in “Ki Masters” in 2001, the “Shotokan Way” on-line magazine in 2009 and “Black Belt Magazine” in January 2010.
Chief Instructor for FSKA, Kyle Yoshinobu Funakoshi, holds a Hachidan (8th Degree) Black Belt rank.
(Written by Jan M Homer, 5/14/2017)