12/08/2026
WHO WE ARE TSKC — Since 1979
WHO WE ARE
Toledo Shotokan Karate Club — Since 1979
The story of Toledo Shotokan Karate Club (TSKC) began more than five decades ago, with a few young people in Punta Gorda and a determination to learn.
Around 1972–1973, John Nunez was introduced to martial arts by Amilcar Palacio and Sidney Arzu, who had learned basic Taekwondo (Korean Karate) in Belize City. With no formal instruction available in Punta Gorda, John and his friends continued practicing on their own, learning from books and whatever other sources they could find.
John's search for deeper knowledge eventually took him to Belize City, where he trained in Shotokan Karate with Anthony Robinson and later with Frank McKenzie. In 1976, he returned to Belize City to attend Belize Teachers' College and continued his training for two years.
When he returned to Punta Gorda in 1978, he felt that he had developed enough knowledge and experience to begin teaching others.
1979 marked an important turning point.
The growing group of karate practitioners in Punta Gorda adopted the name Toledo Shotokan Club.
From humble beginnings, including training in the Parish Hall and, at times, wherever a place could be found, the group gradually developed into a more organized club. Training later expanded to Toledo Community College's West Campus, with children's and adult classes and generations of students passing through its doors.
John's participation in the ISKF/JKA Master Camp in 1984 and 1985 brought another important milestone. Following the 1985 Master Camp, John Nunez was recognized as the ISKF representative for Belize, and the organization became known as the Toledo Shotokan Karate Club.
From those early beginnings, TSKC has continued to serve the Toledo community.
Since 1979, generations of students have trained, learned, grown, and passed the tradition on to those who followed.
Our purpose remains the same:
To develop character through traditional Shotokan Karate.
Today, TSKC is an official member club of the Belize Shotokan Karate Association (BSKA) and is affiliated with the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF).
47 years of tradition.
One continuing journey.
Toledo Shotokan Karate Club
Developing Character Through Traditional Shotokan Karate
