Japan Karate Association of Northern California (JKA NorCal)
JKA NorCal Dojo, 356 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA 94066
About
Japan Karate Association of Northern California (JKA NorCal) offers traditional Shotokan karate, with kids karate classes, adult karate classes, and instruction in kihon sequences, Gohon kumite, kata, and advanced katas. The program also includes a competition-focused kumite class, open mat time, special seminars, intensive training camps, special interest classes, and the option to train with the JKA NorCal competition team.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Kids and adult karate classes are held five days a week, with classes for adults and children offered Monday through Saturday, and training is unlimited for general classes.
Japan Karate Association of Northern California (JKA NorCal) was started in early 2009 by Sensei Christina Foo and Sensei Khim Torres to promote the practice of Shotokan karate in the San Francisco Bay Area. JKA NorCal students are exposed to the full curriculum of traditional Shotokan karate, described as a weaponless system of self-defense and an all-around fitness regimen that exercises 90% of the body’s muscles in a combination of aerobic and anaerobic workouts, and the program states that karate also develops mental concentration and strong spirit, with the ultimate goal being development of character.
The dojo is a traditional Shotokan Karate club affiliated with the Japan Karate Association American Federation and is described as a non-profit, fully-accredited traditional martial arts dojo. It is the first JKA/AF dojo in the U.S. northwest region and is an affiliated member of the JKA World Federation in Tokyo, Japan. The Japan Karate Association is described as one of the most-respected Shotokan karate organizations in the world, found in over 60 countries and throughout the United States, with standardized training and testing and ranks recognized throughout the worldwide organization. JKA NorCal is organized under Sensei Takayuki Mikami in the JKA American Federation, and Sensei Mikami was elected Senior Technical Advisor to the JKA.
Chief Instructor Sensei Wauriman Borges is a 5th-degree black belt, a JKA qualified instructor, and a JKA qualified Examiner and Judge, and most classes are taught by the chief instructor. No class is ever taught by anyone under the rank of Shodan (black belt), and many senior black belt members currently study under Sensei Wauriman. The leadership team includes co-founders Sensei Christina Foo and Sensei Khim Torres, along with Chief Instructor Sensei Wauriman Borges, and JKA NorCal is organized under Sensei Takayuki Mikami in the JKA American Federation.
JKA NorCal notes that it has infrastructure for students who want to pursue goals as competitors, judges, instructors, examiners, or for health and lifetime training, with all certification through the Japan Karate Association. The dojo offers special seminars, intensive training camps, and special interest classes periodically throughout the year, and training is described as unlimited for general classes. The program describes its environment as one that cultivates respect, discipline, community, learning, and development, and as an engaged dojo that uses its national and worldwide affiliation for chances to travel and train under notable instructors and share experiences with karate-ka from around the world.
The JKA NorCal competition team has won medals at the regional, national, and international levels. JKA NorCal is the home of the 2025 JKA Panamerican Kata Champion, Sammi Yeung, and notes that the JKA-USA Women’s team won historic gold medals in both Team Kata and Team Kumite. The dojo states that it continues to produce high level competitors in both kata and kumite who make their marks at the world level. The program also expresses gratitude to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California for allowing use of its space and for connecting its event to the cultural history in San Francisco.
Last updated April 1, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Kids and adult karate classes are held five days a week, with classes for adults and children offered Monday through Saturday, and training is unlimited for general classes.
Japan Karate Association of Northern California (JKA NorCal) was started in early 2009 by Sensei Christina Foo and Sensei Khim Torres to promote the practice of Shotokan karate in the San Francisco Bay Area. JKA NorCal students are exposed to the full curriculum of traditional Shotokan karate, described as a weaponless system of self-defense and an all-around fitness regimen that exercises 90% of the body’s muscles in a combination of aerobic and anaerobic workouts, and the program states that karate also develops mental concentration and strong spirit, with the ultimate goal being development of character.
The dojo is a traditional Shotokan Karate club affiliated with the Japan Karate Association American Federation and is described as a non-profit, fully-accredited traditional martial arts dojo. It is the first JKA/AF dojo in the U.S. northwest region and is an affiliated member of the JKA World Federation in Tokyo, Japan. The Japan Karate Association is described as one of the most-respected Shotokan karate organizations in the world, found in over 60 countries and throughout the United States, with standardized training and testing and ranks recognized throughout the worldwide organization. JKA NorCal is organized under Sensei Takayuki Mikami in the JKA American Federation, and Sensei Mikami was elected Senior Technical Advisor to the JKA.
Chief Instructor Sensei Wauriman Borges is a 5th-degree black belt, a JKA qualified instructor, and a JKA qualified Examiner and Judge, and most classes are taught by the chief instructor. No class is ever taught by anyone under the rank of Shodan (black belt), and many senior black belt members currently study under Sensei Wauriman. The leadership team includes co-founders Sensei Christina Foo and Sensei Khim Torres, along with Chief Instructor Sensei Wauriman Borges, and JKA NorCal is organized under Sensei Takayuki Mikami in the JKA American Federation.
JKA NorCal notes that it has infrastructure for students who want to pursue goals as competitors, judges, instructors, examiners, or for health and lifetime training, with all certification through the Japan Karate Association. The dojo offers special seminars, intensive training camps, and special interest classes periodically throughout the year, and training is described as unlimited for general classes. The program describes its environment as one that cultivates respect, discipline, community, learning, and development, and as an engaged dojo that uses its national and worldwide affiliation for chances to travel and train under notable instructors and share experiences with karate-ka from around the world.
The JKA NorCal competition team has won medals at the regional, national, and international levels. JKA NorCal is the home of the 2025 JKA Panamerican Kata Champion, Sammi Yeung, and notes that the JKA-USA Women’s team won historic gold medals in both Team Kata and Team Kumite. The dojo states that it continues to produce high level competitors in both kata and kumite who make their marks at the world level. The program also expresses gratitude to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California for allowing use of its space and for connecting its event to the cultural history in San Francisco.
Last updated April 1, 2026.
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