LARRY CARNAHAN
10th Degree Grand MasterCo-Founder of National Karate
In 1977, Mr. Carnahan joined with Mr. John Worley in Minnesota, in order to contribute to, and to help in building the world that Mr. Worley had already started, in forming the current National Karate Academy of Martial Arts organization.
Where It All Began
Grand Master Larry Carnahan began training in Korean Tae Kwon Do in 1967 in Ft. Worth, Texas. He was promoted to black belt in Grand Master Jhoon Rhee’s style of Tae Kwon Do in July 1970 and began his teaching career that same year. After teaching for two years in Ft. Worth, he moved to the Jhoon Rhee Institute headquarters in Washington, D.C. During his five years there, he earned both the “Top Instructor Award” and the “School of Champions Award.”
In 1977, Mr. Carnahan joined John Worley in Minnesota to continue the work that had begun with the National Karate School organization. As an active sport karate competitor, he was voted “Black Belt Rookie of the Year” by the Southwest Karate Association and chosen for the Texas Black Belt Competition Team in 1970. After capturing top lightweight honors at major national tournaments such as the Battle of Atlanta, the United States Karate Championships, and the U.S. Open in Maryland, he was named one of the “Top Ten” black belts in the nation by Karate Illustrated Magazine in 1975.
Building the Foundations of Modern Sport Karate
Mr. Carnahan later became involved in kickboxing and was ranked among the world’s top ten lightweights by the Professional Karate Association (PKA) from 1976 to 1982. In 1990, he was elected President of the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) and still holds that position today. NASKA is the world’s largest sport karate sanctioning body, overseeing competitors and tournaments worldwide.
As a director of JLB Productions, Inc., Mr. Carnahan helped build the Diamond National Karate Championships into North America’s premier tournament. He, his wife Elaine, and their three children make their home in Shoreview, Minnesota.
Awards and Accolades:
- 1971 – Featured on the cover of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Sports Section)
- 1971 – Member of the Five-Man “Texas Karate Team”
- 1974 – Member of the Five-Man Jhoon Rhee Team that won the “National Team Championships” in Dallas, Texas
- 1984 – Cover of Karate Illustrated Magazine
- 1994 – Silver Anniversary Centurion Award (Battle of Atlanta)
- 1999 – Cover of World Competitor Magazine
