Sensei's Gabbard's Background
Sensei David Gabbard
Hachi Dan 8th Degree
Sensei's Gabbard's Instructor
Shi-Han Phil McElroy
Ku-Dan 9th Degree
The Karate School Of Nashville opened in 1966 by Sensei Benny Shaffer. This Dojo was one of the most successful and competitive schools in all of North America producing over 150 experienced Black Belt Instructors Under Head Instructor Phil McElroy.
Sensei McElroy was in charge of operations at the Dojo and was busy leading the group of tough and hardened Black Belts when Sensei Gabbard attended his first class.
Sensei Gabbard started training in Isshinryu Karate in 1975 at the age of 14. At that time he and his family had just moved to Nashville from Florida and possessing a life long dream to study Martial Arts he visited the local Dojo in his neighborhood.
"The first time I walked into the dojo I watched Master Jim McDonald working out with a couple of other Black Belts and some students, I was amazed at what I saw and knew I had to take classes there".
September 1975 Yellow Belt
Sensei Gabbard continued in his studes and was promoted to Black Belt May 29 1977 at the age of 16.
At that time he was the youngest person at the Dojo to achieve this ranking.
First Black Belt 1st Place Trophy with Trice Fasig 1978
* Mr. Gabbard went on to become one of the most successful fighter in all of Isshinryu Karate by winning over 150 Karate Tournaments
* Sensei Gabbard has won the Tennessee State Open Championship 7 times
* The Isshinryu Karate Hall Of Fame Kumite Grand Championship Tournament 4 times
* Undefeated 9 years at the American Okinawan Tournament in Bayone New Jersey
* In 1989 he was the ranked as the #1 Heavyweight Fighter in region nine which was made up of all of the South Eastern States
* Sensei Gabbard also has won 5 Gold Medals and 1 Silver at the Tennessee Police Olympics for the Martial Arts Competition
*Sensei Gabbard also competed in Full Contact Kickboxing
and trained several successful competitors, ...one of which competed for the United States Title
* Sensei Gabbard has been inducted into 5 separate Hall Of Fame organizations
* World Sokeship Council Hall Of Fame
* World Karate Union Hall Of Fame
* Browns Masters and Legends Hall of Fame
* Don Nagles AOKA Hall of Fame
* Isshinryu Hall of Fame
* Named Karate Ka of The Year in 1983 and 1987
* Recieved The Spirit of Isshinryu Award at the Isshinryu Hall Of Fame
* Team Coach For the 2005 IIKA Mens and Womens Fighting Team
* These fighting teams are the "Defending World Champions"
in the "2006 Best of The Best Team Challenge" to be held September 30th in Bayone NJ
Law Enforcement
Sensei Gabbard worked for the Williamson County Sheriffs office for nine years from 1993-2002. During that time he served as Patrol Deputy (Reserve) and was promoted to the rank of Training Sergeant. Sensei Gabbard became involved with the S.W.A.T Team at that time and helped execute entry operations for the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force. He was placed in charge of training Patrol personal as well as S.W.A.T. team members in various aspects of hand-to-hand combat and advanced weapon and firearm tactics.
Body Guard
Mr. Gabbard has also served as a licensed Certified Armed Body Guard in the state of Tennessee
and has rendered personal protection services to some of the worlds top Movie Stars and Musical Talent.
Some of Mr. Gabbards Clients have included....
-Actor Steven Segal
-Comedian Tom Arnold
-Music Personalities Donnie And Marie Osmond
-Country Music Stars Vince Gill & Amy Grant
-Christian Musician And Comedian Garry Chapman
-Pop Star Group Hanson
The Grand Masters
Grand Master's Long & Nagle
1992
Grand Master Long Knoxville Colesium
1993
Grand Master Nagle
1992
Grand Master Mitchum
2003
My Greatest Acheivement
"Family"
