Shea Gipti is the Chief Instructor of Tozai Nippon Karate Federation as well as a Los Angeles County Lake Lifeguard. He has been studying Shotokan Karate since 1996. He is a 5 time World Champion, was USA Black Belt Hall Of Fame – Shotokan Instructor of the Year and was inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame as the Outstanding Male Competitor of the Year in 2006.
- 1996 – First trophy in the Art of Jujitsu; earning orange belt, under Sensei Kevin Colton.
- 1996 – Started studying/training in Traditional Japanese Karate (Shotokan.); as taught by the JKA and Shotokan of America at Tozai Nippon Karate Federation, under Sensei Don Gipti.
- 1996 – Started in open competing at Art Ruiz sponsored tournaments, receiving trophies in both Kata and Kumite.
- 1997 – Competed at the 1997 Las Vegas World Championship Karate Tournament, winning two world titles.
- 1998 to 2000 – Competed in open and the 1998, 1999 and 2000 Las Vegas World Tournaments; dominating the Kata and Kumite and receiving numerous trophies in both divisions.
- 2001 – Entered the divisions of Weapons; Kata and Kumite; taking first place trophies in all three. Also closing with World Titles at the 2001 Las Vegas World Championship.
- 2002 – Entered the divisions of Traditional Kata, Open Kata, Musical Kata, Weapons, Musical Weapons, Showmanship and Kumite; taking trophies in all.
- Ending 2002, received all World Champion titles in each of the above entered division.
- 2002 – Became #1 leading competitor in all divisions.
- 2003 – As brown-belt level overtook Traditional Kata, Open Kata, Musical Kata, Weapons, Musical Weapons and Showmanship in Open and 2003 Las Vegas World Championship.
- 2003 – Awarded Overall Grand Champion for the Pacific Rim Tour and also TPA Championship in Showmanship, Kata, Traditional Kata and Weapons. Also, winning Grand Champion in the Orange County Grand Nationals in Kata and Weapons.
- 2004 -Winning 90% in Open Tournaments in six divisions throughout the year; received TPA championship for Showmanship, Traditional Kata, Open Kata, Musical Kata and Weapons. Also winning Grand Champion in the Orange County Grand Nationals in Kata and Weapons, Winner of the Festival of Kings in Maui, Hawaii for the Kata Division. In October 2004, became a Shodan at Art Ruiz’ Southern California Karate Classic Tournament and winning the Junior Black belt division and Grand Champion.
- 2005 – Competing as a Black-belt in the Pacific Rim Tour and also representing the TPA National Team will add to his Traditional Kata, Open Kata and Kempo Kata along with his Weapons and Kumote.
- 2005 – Continuing his training as a Black belt with the Shotokan of America at Sensei Bruce Kanegai’s Simi Valley Dojo; this will give him certification in 13 countries of the world.
- 2005 – Pacific Rim Junior Black Belt overall Champion
- 2006 – Disneyland Martial Arts Tournament Grand Champion. First Place in Kajukenbo and First place in Traditional Kata
- 2006 – Master’s Hall of Fame; Outstanding Competitor of the Year 2006
