Domingo Llanos Sensei
Domingo Llanos was born in the Dominican Republic. In 1971, he moved to Haverstraw, New York. In 1973, at the age of fifteen he had his first Goju-ryu Karate experience through a friend of the family. Two months later, he was introduce to Black Belt Hall of fame member Sensei Chuck Merriman, from whom he received his 4th dan, and still trains with today. Llanos has also trained under other famous Goju-ryu Karate teachers such as Teruo Chinen and Morio Higaonna. As a member of the organization presided by Sensei Morio Higaonna, he was awarded 5th dan. In 1997, he visited the island of Okinawa to compete in the Okinawa Karate and Kobudo Tournament and to train at the Jundokan under Eiichi Miyazato and some of his most prominent student. At the end of his stay in Okinawa, Llanos was awarded the rank of 6th degree black belt by Eiichi Miyazato. In August of 2010 was promoted to 7th dan and on April 2016 he also was promote by his lifelong teacher Sensei Chuck Merriman to the rank of 8th Dan. Llanos began training karate primarily for self-defense, but in 1975, it all took a different turn when he was invited to compete for the first time at the Latin American, Caribbean, and United States Championships held in El Salvador. This was the turning point of his competition career that lasted more than two decades. In 1977, Llanos extraordinary ability earned him a place on the National AAU Karate Team. While competing for AAU Llanos set and broke many records. His accomplishments included being a five time National Kata Champion, 4 time overall Champion (Kata, Kumite & Weapon) and being the light weight Kumite Champion. He competed in the AAU until 1983. Llanos also competed professionally with the Transworld Oil Karate Team (formerly known as Atlantic Oil Karate Team).
He competed successfully in most major USA National open tournaments. Some of his international victories included the World Union Karate Organization (WUKO) Championships in Tokyo, Japan (5th place in Kata), 1981 World Games in Santa Clara, California (3rd place Kata) and 1982 World Championships in Taipei, Taiwan (silver medal).
A highly respected teacher, as well as competitor, Domingo Llanos is the head instructor for Karate International in the Dominican Republic, Salem Massachusetts USA and Haverstraw, NY. USA. His schools have consistently turned out students who are champions not only in Karate but also in life.