Name of School
Waverly Karate Club
Number of years in the World Tang Soo Do Association (WTSDA)
25+
Name/rank of Chief Instructor
Master John Jensen has attained the rank of Oh Dan and Senior Master for the WTSDA and has been with the association for 35 years.
Background/Previous Training
Master Jensen began his training with Master David Schmitt in Dubuque, Iowa in 1987. His main instructor then was Ted Rolling and was a great influence in his early training in Tang Soo Do. Upon moving to Cedar Falls, Iowa, Master Jensen began training with Lee Mattox of the Tripoli Karate club eventually achieving the rank of Cho Dan in 1995, E Dan in 2000, Sam Dan in 2005, Sah Dan Master in 2016 and Oh Dan Master in 2023. Master Mattox has been, and continues to be his greatest mentor and instructor.
Besides Tang Soo Do, Master Jensen has trained in judo and jujitsu. He has an extensive knowledge in self defense including both stand up and ground defenses.
After retiring in 2021, Master has spent his time volunteering with the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program being involved in a Disaster Preparedness program, Pen Pal program, Science Project Prep program for grade schools, and serves on the Advisory Board for RSVP.
Origin/history
The Waverly Karate Club was established in 1972. It was run by several instructors and eventually was led by Glenn Engel. The club was independent at that time.
It was visited by Lee Mattox and John Jensen of the Tripoli Karate Club, a member of the World Tang Soo Do Association and eventually invited the Waverly Karate Club to join the WTSDA. All three achieved Master rank.
When Master Engel moved out of state in 2015, Master Jensen assumed leadership of the Waverly Karate Club and has been chief instructor since.
Current # of active students
The Waverly Karate Club currently has over 50 students on its roster.
What is your specialty/favorite thing to teach?
Master Jensen enjoys teaching, especially children. Seeing their growth and development mentally, physically, and confidently gives him great satisfaction.
Master Jensen thoroughly enjoys hyungs, self defense, and sparring and was champion in sparring at the WTSDA World Championships in 2008 and earned many 2nd and 3rd place awards in sparring and hyung competition there over the years as well.
Notable achievement of a student or your school overall
The Waverly Karate Club students have had great success in tournaments including Erin Miller who won the Grand Champion Award at the WTSDA Championships and was runner-up two years later. Many students have earned 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards at regional and World events and several have been awarded Grand Champion at regional events including current students Jo Hulbert, McCoy McIlravy, Steve Duppong, and Simon Duppong.
