Shihan Kyle Yoshinobu Funakoshi was born on April 21, 1973 in Honolulu, Hawaii. When he was five years old, he began training in 1978 under his father, Kancho Kenneth Funakoshi at the original main dojo (Puck’s Alley) in Honolulu, Hawaii. Shihan Funakoshi trained directly under Japan Karate Association (JKA) instructors Asai and Kanazawa Senseis. As a youth, Kyle Funakoshi trained at seminars conducted by Asai Sensei and Kanazawa Sensei, two world renowned senseis and competitors.

Shihan Kyle has been training in Shotokan Karate for 41 years and currently instructs full time at the FSKA Headquarters, teaching all youth and adult classes, beginner through Black Belt. In addition to his teaching schedule, he attended San Jose State University, graduating with a BS Degree in Business, with emphasis on Accounting & Finance.

Shihan Kyle competed at the national and international levels as a youth and adult. His skills were such that, by age 16, he competed in the adult divisions where he continued his winning record. In numerous FSKA competitions, Shihan Kyle consistently demonstrated his skill and talent

During Shihan Kyle’s competition career, his stellar performance placed him in competition with other outstanding martial artists. Shihan Kyle retired from competition at an early age because his expertise and abilities gravitated toward teaching and inspiring people to realize their abilities and potential in karate and in their daily lives.

Shihan Kyle presents seminars at the FSKA World Headquarters and at FSKA affiliates nationally and internationally. Additionally, he is a highly rated Tournament level Official.

Quote by Kancho Kenneth Funakoshi, “Shihan Kyle is my best Competitor, Official, and Instructor.”

You may have seen Shihan Kyle on the cover of various martial arts publications. He has been featured in “Ki Masters” in 2001, the “Shotokan Way” on-line magazine in 2009, “Black Belt Magazine” in January 2010, and “Black Belt Magazine” in February 2019.

Shihan Kyle Funakoshi assumed leadership of FSKA in June 2018 upon the retirement of Kancho Kenneth Funakoshi. The name of the organization was modified to “Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association Premier” to distinguish it from other organizations with similar names. The Chief Instructor for FSKA, Kyle Yoshinobu Funakoshi, holds a Ku-dan (9th Degree) Black Belt rank.