Sunday, May 1, 2011 by C. Michial Jones
The expansion of the Komakai spirit into Grant County was the direct result of the dedication of Curt E. Jones Sensei. A foundational figure in the Indiana Goju-Ryu scene, Mr. Jones began his journey in 1967 at the Komakai Honbu in Anderson, training under the rigorous direction of Glenn R. Keeney.
From Gas City to the YMCA
The roots of the Marion branch were humble. In 1977, Mr. Jones began sharing his knowledge with a small, dedicated group in a room within his own home. Known then as the Gas City Komakai, this private study group laid the groundwork for what was to come.
By 1982, the growth of the class necessitated a larger venue. Mr. Jones moved the operations to the Grant County YMCA, officially establishing the Komakai Academy of Karate – Marion. During this era, the dojo became a pillar of the local martial arts community, sponsoring the Central Indiana Karate Championships for several consecutive years.
The Competitive Rise
In 1990, a new chapter began when Mr. Jones and his son, C. Michial Jones, opened a second Marion location in a dedicated, freestanding building. The dojo’s impact on the regional circuit was immediate and formidable.
The Marion Komakai quickly became a “competitive factor” on the national stage:
- 1990–1991: Placed third for “Best Supporting School” at the PKC National Tournament.
- 1992: Moved to an upgraded facility and earned a nomination for the PKC Most Competitive School.
Beyond traditional karate, the dojo’s influence expanded into the burgeoning world of full-contact martial arts. The Central Indiana Championships evolved into the prestigious Central U.S. Open Karate Championships, and the dojo even hosted several PKC Indiana Kickboxing title fights.
Transitions and the Return to Roots
The mid-1990s was a period of geographical shift for the lineage. In 1992, Curt Jones transitioned to Indianapolis to open the Komakai Academy of Self-Defense, entrusting the Marion Dojo to C. Michial Jones.
By 1996, after periods of operation in both Marion and Indianapolis, Curt Jones returned to Anderson to serve as the Senior Instructor at the Komakai Honbu. He remained a cornerstone of the headquarters’ instruction until the facility was sold in 2004.
However, the closure of the Honbu did not signal an end, but rather a homecoming. Following the sale, Mr. Jones returned to Marion to re-establish the Marion Komakai at the YMCA, ensuring that the traditional Goju-Ryu he had practiced since 1967 would continue to be taught to a new generation of students in Grant County.
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