Karate

Welcome Back Sensei Ted

After a two-year hiatus, MAC Karate is excited to welcome back Assistant Coach Sensei Ted Chapman. Sensei Ted originally started coaching at MAC in 2019 before COVID-19 restrictions forced classes to an online format and a major staff reorganization.

Chapman is a sandan (third-degree black belt) who started his training at Portland State University in 1978 under Sensei Junki Yoshida — chief instructor for the Japan Karate Federation Northwest (JKFNW) and head of MAC Karate’s program in the 1970s and ’80s. After a break of several years for school, Chapman returned to Portland and resumed training with JKFNW, earning his shodan (first-degree black belt) in 1991 and promoting to nidan (second-degree black belt) in 1997 and sandan in 2002.

Over the years, Chapman has taught many classes at local JKFNW dojos. He has also competed in multiple tournaments, an experience that he found both exhilarating and educational. He subsequently realized that he also enjoyed the officiating side of tournaments, which he has been doing now for several years.

While speaking about the important role that karate has played in his life, Chapman shared the following story: “My brother and I were not very close growing up (there was quite an age difference), but he always made a point of attending the milestone events in my life: high school graduation, college graduation, and my first black belt promotion. When he arrived at the dojo to watch the promotion [in 1991], I noticed that he had brought his camcorder, and I was very excited! It would be great to have a recording of this most momentous occasion. However, I discovered

Laurel Tillier with Sensei Ted.

afterward, that my brother was so awestruck by the entire process of a black belt promotion that he forgot to turn on the camera. He hadn’t taped a single minute!

After passing the test and receiving my sensei’s personal black belt, I was so elated that I could barely contain myself. I showed it to my brother, but all he wanted to know was when I would receive my own belt with my own name on it. My brother did not understand the tremendous honor it is to receive your instructor’s personal black belt. I was his first student to promote to black belt and join the Yudansha-ka. Of course, it is something that I will never forget.”

MAC Karate Head Coach Sensei Bill Plapinger is excited to have Sensei Ted back on the roster. His additional teaching support means there will be consistency across class sessions and more class availability when Sensei Bill is out of town. Additionally, students get the advantage of the differing insights and expertise each instructor brings to training.