Sanctioned by: THE OFFICIAL IKA KOKONDO KARATE & JUKIDO JUJITSU SITE

Sensei Robert Zysk

Sensei Robert Zysk began his martial arts training in Kodokan Judo in 1965. He became involved in competitive events in 1966. He competed in the Amateur Athletic Union, Amateur Judo Federation, and Amateur Judo Association sanctioned events at sectional, regional, and national qualifying levels, retiring from competition in 1975. During this time period he compiled a 96-13 personal tournament record, was awarded the rank of Shodan, and received his instructor certification.

In 1973 Mr. Zysk was one of eight coaches to form the Connecticut Interscholastic Judo league. The league was composed of Connecticut high school judo teams and was the first in the nation to bring organized Judo into a scholastic athletic format.

Mr. Zysk resumed his martial arts training in 1989 as one of the original members of the Simsbury Kokondo Academy. Through formal classes and private training with Sensei Scott Cohen, Mr. Zysk obtained his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in Jukido Jujitsu in 1995. Continuing under the tutelage of Mr. Cohen, Sensei Zysk was awarded his Jukido Jujitsu Instructor certification in 1999, his rank of Shodan in Kokondo Karate in 2000, and his Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Jukido Jujitsu in August 2001. Mr. Zysk was honored to accept the role of Assistant Instructor to Sensei Cohen in the Connecticut Kokondo and Jukido Academy's Newington / West Hartford dojo, earning his Kokondo Karate instructor certificate in May 2002.

Mr. Zysk organized the Bristol Eastern Karate Club in September of 2001. It remains the only student directed and teacher instructed scholastic Karate program in the state. In addition he has been a shiai (tournament) referee, member of the promotional board for the CKJA, and a member of the Yudanshakai (black belt association) since 1995. He maintains current status with his First Aid and CPR certification.

Academically, Mr. Zysk earned a B.S. degree in Humanities and Social Science from Central Connecticut State University. He continued his education with graduate studies at the University of Hartford earning a Masters degree in School Psychology. He brings to the dojo a strong background in teaching and coaching. Mr. Zysk has been a teacher at Bristol Eastern High School and a tennis coach for thirty-four years, a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association, and a Level One certified professional instructor. He is a certified tester for the United States Professional Tennis Association, evaluating the levels awarded to new professionals entering the U.S.P.T.A.

A competitive and recreational athlete, Bob enjoys a variety of racquet sports, golf, and skiing. Professionally, he receives great satisfaction from his teaching and continuing growth within the Kokondo system of martial arts.