ZenQuest Martial Arts Center

ZenQuest Martial Arts Center
Front of the ZenQuest Martial Arts Center building in Lenox Commons
Also known as	Okinawan Karate School
Date founded	1972
Country of origin	United States
Founder	Frank Gorman
Current head	Mark Flynn, Connie Flynn
Arts taught	Shohei-ryu/Uechi-ryu Karate • Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu • MMA • Sityodtong Muay Thai • Boxing • Self-defense
Ancestor schools	Okinawan Karate-do Association • Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network • Team Sityodtong
Official Site	http://zenquestmac.com/

ZenQuest Martial Arts Center, formerly called the Okinawan Karate School, is a martial arts school located in Lenox, Massachusetts. Originally founded in 1972 as a dojo for Uechi-ryu karate, the school has since expanded to include other martial arts, and currently provides instruction in Shohei-ryu karate (a spin-off of Uechi-ryu), Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts, Sityodtong Muay Thai, boxing, and self-defense. The school also contains a store which provides equipment, gear, and instructional media. It is a member of the Okinawan Karatedo Association and the Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network, and has received significant coverage by local media in Berkshire County, including The Berkshire Eagle, Berkshires' Best Buys, Business, and Beyond, and Pittsfield Cable Television.

History

Training room #1 at ZenQuest Martial Arts Center

Exercise and weight room at ZenQuest Martial Arts Center

Training room #2 at ZenQuest Martial Arts Center

The school was originally based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and was founded in 1972 by Sensei Frank Gorman, who according to Berkshires' Best Buys Business & Beyond introduced Uechi-ryu karate to Berkshire County.^[1][2] Senseis Mark and Connie Flynn took ownership of the school in August 2002. They previously lived and worked in Albany, NY and ran a smaller dojo in Guilderland, NY. The Flynns purchased the school from Bob and Lisken Dus, who stated at the time that they were entering into retirement and would focus on providing support to the Flynns.^[2] In the fall of 2002, the Flynn’s widened the school’s curriculum to include Brazilian “Gracie” jiu-jitsu. Mixed martial arts classes were added later.^[2] The Flynns traveled to Okinawa, Japan in 2003 and 2007 for training with world leaders in Uechi-Ryu/Shohei-Ryu. During the 2007 trip Mrs. Flynn was promoted to 5th Dan, and both attended the 2007 All Okinawa Championships, a worldwide championship event. Sensei Connie took 3rd place in kata, while Sensei Mark managed to reach fourth in kumite.^[2] In 2010, due to renovation of the Pittsfield Plaza where it was located, the school relocated to Lenox Commons in Lenox, where it changed its name from Okinawan Karate School to ZenQuest Martial Arts Center.^[3] Along with this relocation and name change the school updated classes to a full roster which includes Muay Thai, boxing, and self-defense classes.^[4]

Media coverage

The school receives regular coverage by The Berkshire Eagle and Pittsfield Cable Television, including the school’s annual hosting of a youth tournament^[5][6] and black belt promotions,^[7] and in 2002 was noted for helping a teen overcome disabilities.^[8]

In 2005, the dojo made the headline story in the The Berkshire Eagle for hosting a special camp called “Tokkun 2005” at Cross Athletic Center at Miss Hall's School.^[9] The camp featured visiting karate masters from Okinawa, specifically Senseis Shigeru Takamiyagi (9 dan), Toshio Higa (8 dan), Hirokuni Yamashiro (7 dan), and Sakae Uechi (5 dan), and in addition to local students in Berkshire County had additional students from more distant areas such as Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Cape Cod.^[9] Another event that received attention from The Berkshire Eagle was a visit from mixed martial arts and jiu-jitsu legend Royce Gracie, who held a clinic at the dojo in 2009.^[10] The year before, 2008, another jiu-jitsu clinic had been held with Robert “Crush” Kahn.^[11]

Competitions

NAGA

Springfield, 2011

On June 4, 2011, several students of ZenQuest Martial Arts Center competed in the 2011 North American Grappling Association tournament NAGA East Coast Championship in Springfield, Massachusetts. The school took several wins, which are listed as follows:

Name[12]	Win[12]	Division[12]
Connor T. Faulkner	3rd place	Mens No-Gi Novice Fly Weight
Daniel Mazzeo	2nd place	Masters No-Gi Novice Light Weight
Jedd L. Hall	1st place / 1st place	Mens No-Gi Directors Expert Middle Weight / Mens Gi Directors Expert Middle Weight
Jordan Bradford	1st place	Kids Gi Novice 50 to 59.9 lb (23 to 27.2 kg). 7 & 8 year olds
Rick Byers	3rd place / 3rd place	Mens No-Gi Intermediate Light Heavy Weight / Mens Gi Blue Belt Light Heavy Weight
Robert Blessin	1st place	Mens No-Gi Novice Welter Weight Division
Sherman Somerville	3rd place	Mens Gi Blue Belt Light Weight

Hartford, 2011

On July 30, 2011, students from ZenQuest competed in the NAGA Hartford event in Hartford, Connecticut. The school's wins are as follows:

Name[13]	Win[13]	Division[13]
Cameron Loehr	1st place	Gi Advanced Teen
Connor T. Faulkner	2nd place / 2nd place	Mens No-Gi Novice Bantam Weight / Mens Gi Novice Flyweight
Tony Riello	1st place	Mens No-Gi Masters Cruiser Weight

Northeast Championship, 2011

On October 15, 2011, students from ZenQuest competed in the NAGA Eastcoast Championship. The results are as follows:

Name[14]	Win[14]	Division[14]
Chris Bradley	3rd place	Boys Gi 70 to 79.9 lb (32 to 36.2 kg)
Connor T. Faulkner	3rd place	Mens Gi White Belt Fly Weight
Colleen Garrity	2nd place	Girls No-Gi Beginner 115 to 129.9 lb (52 to 58.9 kg) 16 & 17 yr olds
Noah Farevaag	3rd place / 2nd place	Boys No-Gi Novice 80 to 89.9 lb (36 to 40.8 kg) 9 to 11 yr olds / Boys Gi Beginner 80 to 89.9 lb (36 to 40.8 kg) 11 yrs old
Robert Blessin	3rd place	Mens No-Gi Beginner Welter Weight
Stephen Taglieri	2nd place / 2nd place / 1st place	Boys Gi Intermediate 115 to 129.9 lb (52 to 58.9 kg) 11 & 12 years old / Boys No-Gi Intermediate 115 to 129.9 lb (52 to 58.9 kg) 11 & 12 years old / Boys Gi Beginner
Timothy Somerville	2nd place / 2nd place	Mens No-Gi Intermediate Bantam-Weight / Mens Gi Blue-Belt Bantam-Weight

2007 All-Okinawa Championships

In 2007, Senseis Mark and Connie Flynn competed in the 2007 All-Okinawa Championships in Okinawa, which featured competitors from throughout the world. The results for the Flynns were as follows:

Name	Place	Division
Connie Flynn	3rd Place (Win)	Women's Kata
Mark Flynn	4th Place (No win) / Competed (No win)	Kumite / Kata

Affiliation

ZenQuest Martial Arts Center is a member of the Okinawan Karatedo Association,^[15] which is located in Okinawa and is the worldwide governing body for Shohei-ryu karate, and is also an affiliate of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network^[16] and Team Sityodtong.^[17]

Associated schools

A satellite dojo of the school, Dentoteki School of Karate (a.k.a. Dettor’s School of Okinawan Karate), is run by Sensei Christina Wells in Byram, Mississippi.^[1][15][18] The school is also affiliated with Tetsushin Martial Arts Academy in Bloomingdale, New Jersey under Sensei Mike Torres.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "About Us". Zenquestmac.com. ZenQuest Martial Arts Center. http://zenquestmac.com/?page_id=2. Retrieved 14 June 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d} "Quality Martial Arts in Pittsfield". Berkshires' Best Buys Business & Beyond 1 (10): 19. 16 September - 6 October. 
3. ^ Dobrowolski, Tony (14 February 2011). "Pittsfield Plaza's last shop to leave". Berkshire Eagle: pp. A01. 
4. ^ "Martial Arts Training". zanquestmac.com. ZenQuest Martial Arts Center. http://zenquestmac.com/?page_id=260. Retrieved 14 June 2011. 
5. ^ Brian Schaffer (Producer) (28 March 2010). 2010 Okinawan Karate School Adult & Youth Demonstration and Tournament. Pittsfield, Massachusetts: Pittsfield Cable Television. http://pittsfieldtv.dyndns.org/Cablecast/Public/Show.aspx?ChannelID=1&ShowID=13054. Retrieved 14 June 2011. ; Brian Schaffer (Producer) (9 June 2009). Okinawan Karate School Children's Tourney & Adult Demonstation. Pittsfield, Massachusetts: Pittsfield Cable Television. http://pittsfieldtv.dyndns.org/Cablecast/Public/Show.aspx?ChannelID=1&ShowID=11110. Retrieved 14 June 2011. 
6. ^ Drew, Jack (30 March 2008). "Kudos to karate kids". Berkshire Eagle. ; "Area Sports". Berkshire Eagle. 7 February 1998. ; "Shepard earns 4 wins in youth karate event". Berkshire Eagle. 8 April 1998. ; "Giving his all". Berkshire Eagle. 28 March 1999. ; "O'Malley finishes first in karate tournament". Berkshire Eagle. 28 April 2001. ; "Karate tournament set for March 23". Berkshire Eagle. March 1, 2002. 
7. ^ "Area Sports". Berkshire Eagle. 10 December 1998. ; "Karate school announces promotions". Berkshire Eagle. 8 December 2000. ; "5 from Okinawan Karate honored". Berkshire Eagle. 8 December 2000. ; "7 earn karate black belt promotions". Berkshire Eagle. 30 May 2001. ; "Okinawan Karate School promotes 7". Berkshire Eagle. 27 November 2001. ; "Five promoted to black belts in karate". Berkshire Eagle. 11 June 2002. 
8. ^ Sullivan, Brian (25 March 2002). "Pittsfield teen uses karate to help fight disabilities 'You can achieve anything if you put your mind to it'". Berkshire Eagle. 
9. ^ ^{a b} De La Mater, Benning W. (26 August 2005). "Getting their kicks". Berkshire Eagle: pp. A01, A04. 
10. ^ Truxell, Dane (4 December 2009). "Legend Teaches Locals". Berkshire Eagle: pp. C01, C03. ; Truxell, Dane (5 December 2009). "Mixed martial arts legend teaches locals". Berkshire Eagle. 
11. ^ Community (12 August 2008). "Rob 'Crush' Kahn will present Jiu-jitsu clinic". Berkshire Eagle. 
12. ^ ^{a b c} "Event Results: NAGA East Coast". nagafighter.com. NAGA. http://nagafighter.com/index.php?module=eventdetailpage/194. Retrieved 16 June 2011. 
13. ^ ^{a b c} "Event Results: NAGA Hartford". nagafighter.com. NAGA. http://nagafighter.com/index.php?module=eventdetailpage/214. Retrieved 4 August 2011. 
14. ^ ^{a b c} "Event Results: NAGA Northeast Championship". nagafighter.com. NAGA. http://nagafighter.com/index.php?module=eventdetailpage/204. Retrieved 7 November 2011. 
15. ^ ^{a b} "Okinawa Karate-do Kyokai Overseas Branches: USA". Okinawan Karatedo Association. http://space.geocities.jp/ryukyu_kobudo/okikukai_english/english_int_dojos_usa.html. Retrieved 14 June 2011. 
16. ^ "North America". RGJJ Network. Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu. http://www.roycegracie.tv/north_america.html. Retrieved 14 June 2011. 
17. ^ "Muay Thai". zenquestmac.com. ZenQuest Martial Arts Center. 24 February 2011. http://zenquestmac.com/?p=558. Retrieved 14 June 2011. 
18. ^ "Instructors and Staff". dentoteki-byram.com. Dento-Teki Karate School. http://www.dentoteki-byram.com/our-instructors.php. Retrieved 15 June 2011. 

External links

• Official webpage
• Primary Facebook
• Secondary Facebook