Owner of Ganshin Dojo and lead instructor of our adult black belts class.

The Hanshi was born on November 1, 1968, in Benavente, Portugal. Although he showed an early interest in martial arts, he officially began his training at age 10, starting with Judō and later studying Karate, Aikidō, and Krav Maga among other disciplines. His dedication to martial arts and his charismatic, resolute nature have earned him deep respect and admiration from his students and peers. From 1999 to 2007, Hanshi Ganhao served as the official self-defense instructor for the Venezuelan National Guard. He holds the rank of 7th Dan from Japan Karate-Dō Tanabe Kai (JKTK) and the World Amateur Martial Arts International Federation. In 1996 and 1997, he was a member of the Venezuelan national team at the World Cup Kenkojuku JKF Shotokan Karate, winning world championships in kata and kumite. He also achieved 6th place in kata and kumite at the 27th Koshiki Karate-do World Cup in Yanagawa City, Japan. Following the death of his master Kunio Tanabe Takizawa in January 2022, Hanshi Ganhao founded his own organization, Shōtōkan Karate-Dō Shōgen Kai (SKSK), with dojos in countries such as the USA, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Spain, Argentina, and Ireland. Hanshi Ganhao was recognized as an American Shihan by the prestigious Hokubei Shihan Kai, dedicated to preserving traditional karate and Japanese culture. The affiliation with Shihan Koji Sugimoto further strengthens the legacy of Hanshi Ganhao, built upon the teachings of his master Kunio Tanabe.

Owner of Ganshin Dojo and lead instructor of our kid’s class. Participating instructor of our youths class.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, the Sensei started her karate practice in 1980 at age 12 along with her family. She suspended karate in 1984 to dedicate to her career resuming later with, at that time Sensei, Luis Ganhao in 1992. Since then, she has been accompanying Hanshi Luis Ganhao as a student, wife, instructor, and administrator, managing karate schools in Venezuela, Canada and the United States. The sensei currently holds her 4th Dan black belt. In her own words “what I love about teaching karate to early age students is the great opportunity to introduce them to the valuable philosophical and technical aspects of karate-dō. As kids grow in their knowledge of karate, I have witnessed positive changes not only in their physical-cognitive skills, but also in the understanding and internalization of societal core values such as respect, punctuality, discipline, responsibility, endeavor among others. More importantly, I feel honored to receive young children to help them become mature individuals with high standards that will accompany them to become successful and honorable citizens in their adult lives”.

Lead instructor of our white belts and semi advanced adult class. Participating instructor of our youths class.

“My name is Jose Bustillos, and I currently hold a 4th Dan black belt with the title of sensei. My karate journey began at the age of 6 in Los Teques, Miranda, Venezuela, under the guidance of Hanshi Luis Ganhao. Initially, I was drawn to karate as a means of self-defense against occasional schoolyard bullies. However, as I progressed through the ranks, my interest evolved into a passion. I gained self-confidence, formed lifelong friendships, and developed a deeper understanding of what it means to be a karate practitioner.

Over the years, the principles I learned in karate have been foundational in my personal, academic, and professional development. As a karate instructor, my goal is to strengthen the body, mind, and skills of each athlete. I strive to instill in them the ideals of discipline, responsibility, and resilience when confronting life’s challenges.”

Supporting Sensei.

"I began my journey in Karate at the age of 6, under the guidance of Master Hanshi Gijin Hiramatsu, practicing the Goju Ryu style, and later transitioned to Shotokan. Originally from Venezuela, I had the opportunity to represent the national team in international competitions, primarily focusing on Kata. Currently I am a 3rd Dan blackbelt.

Coming from a family of three brothers, all of whom grew up practicing Karate from a young age, I consider Karate to have been a vital tool in my personal development and an important factor in shaping my personality. This motivates me to continue practicing this martial art, currently under the guidance of Hanshi Luis Ganhao, collaborating in the development of other athletes, and always aiming to share fundamental skills and personal values through the practice of Karate."

Supporting Sensei.

The Sensei was born in Punto Fijo, Venezuela, on December 29, 1981. She began training Karate when she was 8 years old, with Sensei Marcos Cañas and Shihan Enrique Reyes in the Venezuelan Association of Shotokan Karate Dō (AVSK). From that moment, Karate became her passion and her lifestyle. At the age of 15 she obtained her black belt, and for the year 2001 the 2nd Dan. Throughout many years she participated in different competitions at the national level, obtaining medals, trophies and plaques of recognition for her perseverance. Currently, she resides in the United States, and as part of her philosophy of life, she keeps training. She obtained her 4th Dan in 2022 and continues to focus on continuing to advance at a level under the direction of Hanshi Luis Ganhao in Shōtōkan Karate Dō Shōgen Kai.

Supporting Sensei.

“I started my karate training during my undergraduate days in 2003, when I realized that sitting in front of a screen for 8 hours a day needed to be balanced by good physical activity. I joined the Shōtōkan karate club at the University of Texas at Austin under the direction of Sensei Lubomir Antonov. After a few years of training, I stopped and reverted to my sedentary ways. Many pounds and years later, upon moving to Katy, TX in 2015, I joined the Katy Dojo under Sensei Siamak Tavakoli where I also met Nick Rider. In 2019, I met Hanshi Luis Ganhao and started training at the Ganshin Dojo and have continued to flourish in my karate journey. I earned my Yondan (4th Dan) from Hanshi Ganhao in 2023. I live in Katy, TX with my wife and three children. I work professionally as a software engineer and in my spare time, enjoy either indoor wall climbing or more karate.”