Kyoshi Shihan Robert Kristensen began his training (self defense) while on tour in Vietnam in 1970 while serving in the United States Navy.  His formal training was later started under the direction of Shihan Dale Jenkins (high ranking Dan of Master Nagle and President of Jersey Judo Karate Kai). He has earned the ranks of 8th degree Black Belt (Hachi-Dan) and Kyoshi from Hanshi William H. Duessel in Isshinryu Karate, second degree Black Belt (Ni-Dan) in Goju-Ryu under the training of Sensei Teruo Chinen of Jundokan International, and First Degree Black Belt (Sho-Dan) at the Jersey Judo Karate Kai.  Prior to moving to Texas, Kyoshi Kristensen was the Vice President of Sussex County Karate Academies with students numbering more than 250.
Kyoshi Kristensen, who turned 63 in July 2011, still competes and currently trains with Hanshi William H. Duessel, 9th degree Black Belt. He became Vice President of the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame in May 2004.  He holds numerous competitive titles, including:  U.S.K.A. - 1st & 2nd place Kata, Weapons & Kumite in all tournaments attended 1994 & 1995, U.S.M.A. - 1st Master's Kata & Weapons in all tournaments attended, 1994, 1995, & 1996, IWKA - top 3 1994, 1996, and 1997, Isshinryu Hall of Fame top 3 for 1995 & 1998, and is a top 10 competitor in the State of Texas for the TKL, years 1995-1997 and 1998.
Kyoshi Kristensen's honors, awards and certifications include:

• 2005 Ishhinryu Hall of Fame Inductee
• Goodwill Ambassador, Action Martial Arts Magazine, 2004
• World Martial Arts Hall of Fame - Master of the Year, 2004
• United States Isshinryu Karate Association - Outstanding Isshinryu Karate Promoters, 2003
• World Karate Union Hall of Fame - Master Instructor of the Year, June 2002
• Inductee, Action Magazine Martial Arts Hall of Fame
• Inductee, World Head of Families Sokeship Council Hall of Fame (Isshinryu Man of the Year, September 2000)
• Inductee, Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame (Master Instructor of the Year, Okinawan Division, May 1997)
• Inductee, International Martial Arts Hall of Fame
• Representative, Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame
• US Representative - Texas, Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame
• State Representative,  United States Isshinryu Karate Association
• Member, United Isshinryu Council
• Member, International Police Tactics Instructors Association
• Certified Aerobics Instructor
• Taught Aerobics and Cardio-Kickboxing Classes at Exxon Metroplex Club, Exxon-Mobil Corporation, Nissan Corporation, Fitness World, Irving Fitness, etc.
• Certified Personal Trainer
• Certified Spinning (Stationary Bicycle) Instructor
• Appeared on two episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger television series as an action stunt man 
• Pictured below are Kyoshi Kristensen at age 52 with his son.

Renshi Shihan Maria Kristensen began her Isshinryu training in 1987 in New Jersey, under Kyoshi Kristensen, earning her rank of Sho-Dan in 1994 and her Ni-Dan rank in 1997.  She also obtained a green belt in the art of Gojo-Ryu, trained one year in Tae-Kwon-Do in 1974, and was inducted into the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame in May of 1998 as Instructor of the Year, Okinawan Martial Arts.  Renshi Shihan Kristensen was promoted to the rank of San-Dan, and given the title of Sensei on April 18, 1999.  She was promoted to the rank of Yon-Dan at the 2001 Gasshuku and Shiai on April 22, 2001.  She was promoted to Go-Dan on August 26, 2006 and received the title of Renshi on December 2, 2006.  At the April 2010 Gasshuku and Shiai she was earned the rank of Shihan. She currently teaches at the Coppell Dojo.

Sensei Susan Harris began her training at Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai in 1995.  In 1999, she received a "Mother of theYear Award".  Throughout her training she has consistently been a top three competitor in tournaments.  As a San-Kyu, she won 1st place in Kata at the Isshinryu World Championships in New Jersey.  She received her Sho-Dan in 1999, and her Ni-Dan in 2002.  As a Ni-Dan in 2003, she won 1st place in Kata, and competed for Grand Champion at the Isshinryu World Championships in Dallas.  She continues to train at the Coppell Dojo and is an Instructor for the junior class on Monday nights. Outside the dojo, she is a wife, a mother of two sons, and a Registered Nurse. Sensei Harris earned her San-Dan and the title of Sensei at the Spring 2005 Shiai on April 17, 2005 and earned the rank of Yon-Dan on on August 23, 2008 at the Shiai.

Sensei Tommy Thomas began his training in the early 1970's studying Shorin-Ryu. In the mid 1980's he moved to South Carolina and started training in Tae Kwon Do.  In 1995 he began training in Isshinryu Karate under Kyoshi Kristensen.  He received his Sho-Dan in 2000.  Mr. Thomas was presented with the Veterans Distinguished Honor Award by the 2000 Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame.  Sensei Thomas is a Vietnam Army Veteran and was awarded two Purple Hearts during his service to our country in the United States Army.  Sensei Thomas consistently places first in Kumite and has competed for Grand Champion many times including the IWKA 2001, 2003, & 2005 Championships.  Sensei Thomas was promoted to Ni-Dan in March of 2003 and San-Dan in December 2006.  He received the title of Sensei at the Shiai on December 2, 2007. Most recently, he was promoted to the rank of Yon-Dan at the April 2010 Gasshuku and Shiai.

Sensei Tony Palos began his karate training in 1985 in Corpus Christi under Sensei Paul Bystedt. After moving to Denton to pursue his music degree, he resumed his training at TIKK under Kyoshi Robert A. Kristensen in July 1998 after a 12 year layoff. He was diagnosed with a torn ACL during his Black Belt test in April 2002, with surgery recommended. Instead, after extensive rehabilitation, he finished his testing 3 months later and earned the rank of Sho-Dan on August 10, 2002. From 2003 to 2009 at the IWKA Championships, he consistently placed 1st in kata and placed in the top three in weapons and kumite and has competed for Grand Champion in empty hand kata. In May 2004, Sensei Palos received a Recognition Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Martial Arts from his teacher, Kyoshi Kristensen, at the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Sensei Palos was promoted to Ni-Dan at the 2005 Gasshuku and Shiai and next received San-Dan and the title of Sensei at the 2007 Gasshuku and Shiai. In 2009, he was nominated for Instructor of the Year at the Isshinryu Hall of Fame in Tennessee. Sensei Palos received the rank of Yon-Dan on April 25th at the 2010 Gasshuku and Shiai. He continues to train at the Coppell Dojo and is Head Instructor, along with his wife, Sensei Tina Palos, at the Denton and Aubrey Dojos.

Sensei Tina Palos Sensei Tina Palos began her training in 1985 in Corpus Christi under Sensei Paul Bystedt. After moving to Denton to pursue her music degree, she resumed her training at TIKK in July 1998. Mrs. Palos earned her Sho-Dan March 30, 2003 at the Gasshuku along with Mrs. Rupp and Mr. Gellman. This was the first time three people were tested at once. Sensei Palos was also honored as Most Outstanding Female Karateka of the Gasshuku by the Black Belts. In June 2003 at the IWKA tournament, Sensei Palos took 3rd in Kata and Kumite in her first tournament as a Sho-Dan. In May 2004, Sensei Palos received a Recognition Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Martial Arts from her teacher, Kyoshi Kristensen, at the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Sensei Palos was promoted to Ni-Dan February 18, 2006 at a Black Belt workout. She was promoted to San-Dan and received the title of Sensei on August 23, 2008. In 2009, Sensei Palos was nominated for Instructor of the Year, at the Isshinryu Hall of Fame in Tennessee. On April 10, 2011, She was promoted to Yon-Dan. She continues to train at the Coppell Dojo and is Co-Instructor at the Denton and Aubrey Dojos.

Sensei Jeannie Rupp started her training in California in February 1996 with American Karate.  Her husband's career transferred them to Dallas in October 1999.  Prior to the move she had contacted Kyoshi Kristensen and began training with TIKK in January 2000.  Sensei Rupp received her Sho-Dan in March 2003.  Sensei Rupp placed 2nd in Kata at the Isshinryu World Karate Championship tournament in June 2003.  This was her first tournament as a new Sho-Dan.  Sensei Rupp was promoted to Ni-Dan in April 2006 at the Gasshuku and Shiai.  She received her San-Dan and the title of "Sensei at the August 2009 Shiai.  She currently runs the Granbury Dojo and continues to train at the Coppell Dojo.

Sensei Carol Gue Sensei Carol Gue began her training in New Jersey in April 1994 with American Budo Kai and achieved the rank of Brown Belt. When her career transferred her to Plano, Texas in 1998, she quickly joined TIKK and began her training with Kyoshi Kristensen. Sensei Gue received her Sho-Dan on April 22, 2001 at the Gasshuku and Shiai. At her first tournament as a Black Belt, the Isshinryu World Karate Association (IWKA) Tournament, she placed 3rd in Kata. Sensei Gue was promoted to Ni-Dan in April 2006 at the Gasshuku and Shiai and was promoted to San-Dan at the April 2011 Gasshuku and Shiai. At the August 27, 2011 Shiai, she earned the title of Sensei. She continues to train at the Coppell, Texas dojo and assists at the Flower Mound dojo as well.