Master Dennis Janes began training in February of 1970 and earn his 1st Degree Black Belt in December of 1972. He along with Mark Galeski and John Bell were the first Cleveland Karate Institute black belt under World Champion AlGene Caraulia.
In the June of 1973, he was hired by Gene Wyka to teach in one of the oldest martial arts organizations in the Mid West, the Chicago Judo and Karate Centers. In the 1976, the Cleveland Karate Institute developed into an International Organization and Master Caraulia hire Janes to manage and direct karate operation. He became one of four Regional Directors for the Karate Institute of America in 1983 and was elected to the National Board of Directors in 1988. Master Janes resign from the Karate Institute of America in December and form the Karate Institute Kajukenpo Association in 1992.
Master Janes has received many Hall of Fame Honors throughout the years from the International Kickboxing and Karate Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio; Eastern USA International Martial Arts Association, Pittsburg, PA, Ohio PKC Hall of Fame, Action Martial Arts Hall of Honors and the World Head of Family of Council.
- 1974: 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kempo Goju, Chicago Judo and Karate Center. Awarded the 1973 Instructor-Manager of the Year.
- 1978: Certified Instructor Karate Institute of America
- 1983: Outstanding Regional Director Karate Institute of America.
- 1984: 4th Degree Black Belt KI Kajukenpo Karate Institute of America.
- 1989: 5th Degree Black Belt KI Kajukenpo Karate Institute of America.
- 2003: 8th Degree Black Belt KI Kajukenpo recognized and signed by Sokes at the World Head of Family Council in Orlando, Florida.
- 2011: 8th Degree Black Belt TaiShinDoh Soke Ron Balas 10th Dan and signed by Sokes at the World Head of Family Council in Orlando, Florida.
- 2012: Platinum Life Time Achievement Award, Circle of Masters and appointed Assistant State Director.
Sensei Mercedes Janes - Godan
For Mercedes Janes, the road to Black Belt Excellence began in 1981 when she decided to take martial arts lessons from her husband Dennis Janes at the Mentor Karate Institute. Through her years of martial arts experience as a competitor and instructor she has met and trained with some of America’s top martial artist: Ernie Reyes, Joe Lewis and Bill Wallace legendary karate and kickboxing champions, Mark and Jim Graden founders of NAPMA’s cardioKarate and Fitness Kickboxing. Perhaps the biggest highlight of her career was meeting Chuck Norris at a Karate Institute of America Black Belt Test in 1985. These are some of the people that have inspired her to continue with her training and teaching the martial arts.
Now, after 26 years of martial arts, Mercedes has earned her 5th Degree Black Belt in Kajukenpo. She is one of the highest ranking martial arts women in Ohio. The rank she has obtained is recognized nationally and internationally.
For her program this year, Mercedes has decided to highlight the traditional Black Belt testing protocol as used when she tested for her Shodan in 1984. For this she has invited some of Master Dennis’s Black Belts from the past 15 years into her program: Greg Heckel—Shodan; Anthony Lavdis—Shodan; Larry Marold—Sandan and one of Mercedes' first Black Belts from Painesville—KI, Francy Ahlin.
The martial arts have evolved so much over the years with creative and extreme techniques which can be a bit intimidating to the Adult Karateka. This program is designed to motivate and encourage the Adult Student to strive as they progress to their next level of training and Black Belt ranks. Mercedes wants to thank her husband of 27 years and children, Brittany, DeAnna and Eric for always being there for her, supporting and encouraging her with her Martial Arts goals.
Sensei Linda Thomas - Nidan
Linda Thomas has studied the martial arts at the Karate Institute for over 11 years. She received her Shodan in 2003 and has been teaching at the dojo for over 6 years. When Linda isn't teaching she enjoys cooking, traveling and entertaining family and friends. Her greatest accomplishment and challenge in life is being a mother and wife, and homeschooling her 13 year old son, Colton, who is also a Junior Black Belt Two at the dojo. She has been married for 16 years to a wonderful man named Todd Thomas. Linda would like to thank Senseis Dennis and Mercedes who never gave up on her and always believed in her. Linda would like to especially thank her son, husband, and father who have given her love, strength, and support through the years.
Sensei Tyler Powell - Nidan
I am 15 years old and currently a Sophomore at Mentor High, where I am enrolled in the Honors, AP, and Fine Arts Programs. I am also a member of Mentor High School’s Varsity Science Olympiad Team. I enjoy listening to music, reading, writing, drawing, cooking, tricking, and spending time with my friends. I guess I like doing school stuff too, but only if it's something that interests me, like reading good literature, writing free form, un-outlined, creative writing, or drawing stuff.
I started taking classes at KI when I was 4 years old, more to improve my discipline than because it’s what I wanted to do. In the beginning, it was just an average priority activity like most parents put their kids through until they get bored and move on to something else. Eleven years later, karate has grown to be a major force in my life. Think extreme substance addiction, except this drug actually improves personality, determination and brain power. A few years ago, Andy Sedgwick and I helped bring into the world KI's Competitive Demonstration Team, Team Revo. I'm extremely proud to say that it has been quite a success. This year, the team competed at 2 national tournaments, tying for second at one, and placing first in the other. I reached the goal that I have been striving for since I was 10 years old: placing first on the NASKA circuit. Last year I told everyone that 2008 had been the biggest year for me and the team. After bearing witness to an amazing 2009 season, saying such things would be blasphemy. It seems that this school doesn't ever stop growing, and I'm certain that 2010 will only support that sentiment. The Team is aiming for gold, a goal that I see as more than possible. And, I go for Grand Champion. It will most definitely be a great experience.
I'd like to thank my family and friends for their support, especially my parents for keeping me on the right track; the Martial Arts for shaping my identity; my competition for making me push myself harder each passing second; my instructors and coaches for teaching me what I know and continuing to teach me the things that I don't; YouTube for bringing me the works of Steve Terada, Anis Cheurfa, Matt Emig, and the rest of my idols (now in High Definition!); and my teammates for being awesome!
http://www.youtube.com/user/kixxxtyler
Assistant Instructors
Sensei Michael Winter - Nidan
I am a sophomore at Mentor High School. I have been training in the martial arts for 7 ½ years. The passage to achieving my Nidan has allowed me to experience many physical and mental challenges and has taught me how to overcome them and be successful. I have many other interests, but my main focus has been karate.
The moment I was invited to join Team Revo was a defining moment for me. It meant that there was another level to martial arts training after Shodan. Training in the martial arts has also helped me become better in school, teaching me to focus better to complete assignments on time and not to be afraid to ask for help and direction. I plan to continue my adventure in the martial arts and I look forward to discovering where it plans on taking me.
Sensei Eric Janes - Nidan
Eric is currently a Senior at Mentor High School. He has been in the martial arts for 13 years. He achieved his Shodan in 2003. His awards include: KI Student of the Year; Young Adult Contributor of the Year, and Competitor of the Year. Eric has also been awarded numerous awards and trophies for placing in local and national tournaments. Eric has grown up surrounded by the martial arts, from going to tournaments and cheering on his Mom in competition to becoming a fine young man making his parents proud of him in all he does. His real passions is performing with martial art weapons and forms. Eric constantly looks forward to developing new acrobatic (“extreme”) moves in his creative forms. As an instructor, he enjoys inspiring others to excel!
