JIM ALBERTSON
9th Degree Master InstructorNational Karate Director
SCHOOLS: Apple Valley, MN
Mr. Albertson’s dedication to excellence has earned him the position of National Karate Director along with NK Grand Masters Mr. Worley and Mr. Carnahan. He is responsible for conducting advanced testing and black belt screenings, maintaining high standards for students.
Discipline in Motion
Master Jim Albertson was 18 years old when he began his karate training in January of 1979. He was promoted to First Degree black belt by John Worley and Larry Carnahan in July 1981. He began teaching that same year and, in 1984, opened his first National Karate School in Burnsville, Minnesota. Mr. Albertson has the distinction of winning National Karate’s overall top male competitor title three times, and has won many Grand Championships both in form and sparring.
In 1991, Mr. Albertson represented the United States in team kickboxing in London, England. Since 1979, Mr. Albertson has competed in 40 Diamond Nationals to date. His dedication and self-discipline have benefited other areas of his life. He has been a swimmer since high school and began running in 1981 to get into shape for his black belt test. He expanded his training to bicycling, and competed in his first triathlon in 1985. Since then, he has competed in approximately 60 triathlons. In addition, Mr. Albertson has also run three marathons and is an avid snowmobile racer.
Many of National Karate’s top black belt holders and competitors were trained under Mr. Albertson’s direction. He is responsible for conducting advanced testing and black belt screenings and plays an integral part in developing National Karate’s standards and curriculum for advanced and black belt students. Mr. Albertson became a ninth degree black belt in 2018. His dedication to excellence earned him the position of National Karate Director, along with Grand Masters John Worley and Larry Carnahan.
Mr. Albertson and his wife Kim, along with their four children (Derek, a fourth degree black belt; Alex, a second degree black belt; Taylor; and Brittany) have a major role in coordinating the Under Black Belt divisions at the Diamond Nationals Karate Championships, as well as the National Karate Team Intramural.
Kim started her karate training in 1998 and currently holds a Fourth Degree black belt. Besides being the office manager at their Apple Valley and Cottage Grove National Karate schools, Kim is also a nurse (RN) and works at the Allina Urgent Care in Apple Valley.
