Sandan
Sempai Tommy Lyons began training in this dojo under Sensei Steve Apsega in December of 2013. He is one of our certified instructors in kobudo, karate, and tuite.
He began his studies in August of 2012 in a little dojo in Bucksport, ME under a different Sempai (inactive now). The dojo was OSMKKF practiced but was not active in the federation. Sempai Tommy had pulled into the parking lot of Maine Traditional Karate several times because he was curious of the studies practiced there.
“Once I walked into the dojo and I met Sensei Steve Apsega I could feel the energies and I knew this is where I needed to train!”
Sempai Tommy has been clean from drugs since November 1, 2000. He has always lived by the ways of commitment, dedication, and hard work.
“If you want something in life, nobody is going to give it to you. You need to go earn it.”
Sempai Tommy has always felt like a Black Belt at heart but didn’t get the opportunity to earn it, until August 6, 2016 when he officially attained his Shodan.
“Karate doesn’t stop at Black Belt, it just begins.”
Sempai Tommy believes that Karate is a lifestyle and not something you just do. It is a way of life. Under the guidance of Sensei Steve Apsega, Sempai Tommy has continued his Karate and began to develop more as a teacher. He attained his Instructors certification for Karate on October 7, 2017 and enjoys teaching a great deal. Sempai Tommy developed the little Samurai program with the approval and assistance of Sensei Steve Apsega. The main goal of this program is to get 4-7 year old students ready and focused for regular youth classes held at the dojo. Sempai Josh Curtis is the current instructor of the little Samurai and looks forward to growing the program more.
Sempai Tommy holds rank in Kobudo (weapons) and Tuite (joint locks and body manipulation). He loves to practice and study the techniques of the Mook Jong, also known as the wooden man. This training tool is commonly found in the practices of ving tsun kung fu or Wing Chun also found to be used in JKD Jeet Kune Do, the way of the intercepting fist. Sempai Tommy continues his studies by attending regular black belt classes, teaching on Monday nights, attending and assisting in teaching at special seminars, and traveling to camps with Sensei Steve Apsega.
On August 31, 2018 Sempai Tommy earned the rank of Nidan. During his trip to Tyler, TX he achieved the rank of Sandan in Karate & Kobudo on June 11, 2021. He achieved Tuite certified instructor on December 10th, 2022.