Martial Arts: Budokai USA Family Karate

Instructors

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 (5th degree black belt) has been involved in the martial arts since 1974 and has been training under the tutelage of Hanshi John Nanay for over thirty 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 competed in the 1990 and 1992 World Championships sanctioned by the Olympics in which over 80 countries participated. On February 20, 2010 Sensei Rosak was inducted into the Illinois State Martial Arts Hall of Fame for his contributions to the community in helping his students achieve their goals in life as well as the martial arts. He is the owner and chief instructor of BUDOKAI USA Family Karate which has been in operation in Frankfort since 1989.

With thirty-seven years in the martial arts and twenty-two 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 passionate about helping 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”.