Instructors
Shihan John Nanay | Sensei Scott Rosak | Sempai Kenny Blank
Shihan John Nanay
Shihan
John Nanay (8th degree black belt), a native of Hungary, is a living
legend. He has been involved in the martial arts for over 50 years.
As a youngster he trained in boxing and ju-jitsu. At the age of fifteen
was involved in the Hungarian revolution against occupying Russian forces.
After expatriating to the United States in 1958 he began training in
karate under John Keehan (Count Dante) but was drafted into the Viet
Nam war. As a GI he served in the Special Forces and taught hand-to-hand
combat techniques to the soldiers. During his military career he has
the dubious and remarkable distinction of having been shot, stabbed,
blown up, captured by the enemy and escaping - all several times.
After Vietnam, Shihan Nanay resumed his martial arts training under Tom Sexton, and later, under other highly respected instructors around the world. He was selected to coach the U.S. Karate Team, who took gold medals at the World Cup several times. He is an internationally qualified referee, has overseen numerous events, including the World Championships, and currently is the USAKF Head of Referees. He has been inducted into numerous Halls of Fame including AAU Karate, Karate Illustrated, Official Karate and USAKF Karate. He is respected nationally and internationally, speaks five languages, instructs advanced classes at Budokai USA and teaches Tai-Chi for the Frankfort Park District. Perhaps the most remarkable attribute of Shihan Nanay, who is now 66 years old, is that, instead of resting on his laurels, you can find him in the dojo working out side by side with his students.
Sensei Scott Rosak
Sensei
Scott Rosak (4th degree black belt) has been involved in the martial
arts since 1974. He has been training under the tutelage of Shihan
John Nanay for twenty-six years. He is a two time national sparring
champion; competed internationally as a member of the U.S. karate team
for seven years; trained at the U.S. Olympic Training Center at their
invitation and expense; and participated in the 1990 (Mexico City) and
1992 (Granada, Spain) World Championships sanctioned by the Olympics
in which over 80 countries were represented. He is the owner and
chief instructor of BUDOKAI USA Family Karate which
has been in operation at the same location in Frankfort since 1989.
With more than eighteen years of teaching experience, Sensei Rosak has developed the ability to understand his students, identify their individual needs and create strategies for helping them reach their goals in karate. He takes pride and interest in every one of his students and is happy to help them achieve their fullest potential. He feels fortunate having the support of the families in his dojo that count on him as a guide on the “path of karate”.
Sempai Kenny Blank
Sempai
Kenny Blank (1st degree black belt) has been training in karate
for more than twelve years. He is a participating member of the Frankfort
area Jaycees. He is a student at the University of Chicago. He is a
successful competitor at karate tournaments. He is a Stranger
Danger and Child safety expert with over five years of teaching the
Little Ninjas program. In his spare time, he hires himself out
as a professional entertainer and clown at special events or birthday
parties. He is a good role model and is an assistant instructor
at Budokai USA Family Karate.