Dr. Idris Ameer Clymer, "Kancho" (Founder/Director), established Kaihuku Kerai Shin Ryu Karate, headquartered in Wilmington, DE. Born in Tarrytown, NY, in 1954, and raised by his mother and stepfather, he has two older brothers and a younger sister. He's married to Victoria Mells-Clymer and has a large blended family with ten grandchildren.

Before focusing on martial arts, Idris played football, excelled in track, and boxed, even fighting professionally briefly. At 19, he began Kyokushinkai Karate under Sensei Joko Ninomiya, quickly becoming a skilled competitor.

Joining the Air Force at 24 took him to Texas, then North Carolina where he trained solo, and later California, where he started teaching karate to children on base. His students' success in tournaments earned him a strong reputation as an instructor. In California, he trained under Shihan Dr. Joseph Hamamoto, who connected him to Kyokushinkai founder Mas Oyama.

In 1986, his Air Force assignment to Japan allowed him to potentially train with Mas Oyama and start a karate class on base. Mas Oyama recognized him as a demanding instructor. After four years in Japan, he taught in Colorado and Arizona before retiring from the Air Force in Delaware, where he continues to teach.

Kaihuku Kerai Shin Ryu was founded after a conversation with a student and encouragement from his wife. The name, meaning "resilient servant (of God) with a strong mind, body, and spirit," was created by his wife. With the support of his students, the new system was quickly established, incorporating elements of Kyokushin Karate, which he respects.

Gregory Giovaniello was born on May 25, 1977 in the Bronx New York to Sal and Angela Giovaniello; he has an older brother Darren. In the fifth grade Gregory was put into public school in the Bronx as was picked on regularly. In March of 1991 he enrolled into the Bronx American Goju Ryu School at the New York Turners club. After four years of training he was promoted to second degree black belt, Greg was also trained for three years in Tae Kwon Do while in high school. Greg In 1995 Gregory joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Davis Mountain Air Force Base, Tucson Arizona. Once there he inquired as to what martial arts programs were being offered in the area. He found an American Goju Ryu Dojo (school) who would accept his rank as second degree black belt, but upon learning that Kyokushinkai karate was being taught he decided to join the class knowing he would have to start as a white belt under Sensei (now Kancho) Idris Clymer.

Gregory trained under Kancho Clymer for four years and tested for shodan (first degree black) under Shihan Hamamoto on July 9, 1999 in Los Angeles California. In 2000 Gregory started teaching Kyokushin at New York's Maritime University in the Bronx and in 2001 competed in the America's cup Karate championships and Hunter College. Though he didn't do very well at the tournament he considers it to have been a great learning experience. In 2002 he moved back to Tucson AZ and began teaching at the Air Force base. After he returned home to NY in 2004 he felt he needed to become a student again and started training at Kyokushin Karate New York under Shihan Gorai. In 2004 he traveled to Japan and trained at the Kyokushin Hombu (headquarters) which he considers one of the best experiences of his life.

In 2008 Gregory left Kyokushin Karate New York and began training in a rented basement in the Bronx which he still trains at to this day. In July 2011 he was married to Sharon Hoffman. “I've learned to control my fears of opponents in the ring as well as the street, yet I still haven't gotten over my fears of my wife.” In the spring of 2013 Gregory made the switch to Kaihuku Keri Shin under Kancho Clymer. Though the name has changed, we still train in the original spirit of Mas Oyama. OSU!

Jerome J. Gumbs was born on July 21, 1964 at Harlem Hospital in New York City. Jerome was the youngest of five siblings. H was raised by his mother (Dora Gumbs), Father (James Gumbs), along with two brothers and two sisters on 125th Street and 2nd Ave; just a few blocks from the famous Apollo Theater. At the age of 10, he and his family moved upstate, Monticello New York to get away from the increasing drugs and crime in his neighborhood.

While high school Jerome was on the track team and played football, but his desire was to learn martial arts. After graduating from high school, he went to Sullivan County Community College to study computers, and while there he connected with a friend named Jeff who recenty got out of the Army (Special Forces) and was a karate instructor. Jeff taught Jerome kung Fu (Tai chi Kun do) and combat fighting, he also he learned humility and the importance of side stepping and endurance in sparring. Jerome was Jeff's only student for a year before they started teaching high high school students. Jerome had a lot of admiration for Jeff and noticed most people were intimidated by Jeff because he was 5' 11, a solid 230lbs and moved as fast as a cat. Jerome also learned that Jeff was asked to be one of Mike Tyson's sparring partners because he was so fast with his hands and feet, but he refused because boxing wasn't his thing, kung fu was his passion.

Jerome left college and joined the Air Force in December 1986. His first assignment was at Yokota Air Base Japan. Jerome was in search of a marital arts system that would meet his needs and challenge him. He tried several different martial art styles before joining the Kyokushinkai class taught by Sensei Clymer. He liked this system because he could kick to the legs, use knees, and elbows. He also learned how to use power with speed. Jerome entered his first full contact tournament and did okay against the heavily favored Japanese fighters. Jerome trained harder for the next tournament and finished in 2nd place after two double overtime semi-final and final fights during his brown belt test in spite of the fact that he injured himself after the third of six fights.

Jerome went on to receive his black belt in May of 1989 and that same year he married his wife Lisa in September. Idris placed Jerome in charge of the class after he left Japan and Jerome taught the class for 3 years to include teaching off base at Sensei Nakia's dojo. He was recognized as an outstanding instructor by Shihan Josei Yamada, head of the Kanto Plains area Kyokushinkai Dojos. Shihan Yamada and Jerome also became good friends and he asked Jerome to host a BBQ on base for the top fighters in the Kanto Plains area which was indeed an honor for Jerome.

Jerome left Japan and was assigned to Castle Air Force Base, California. While there he decided to expand his marital arts trainnig and enrolled in a Chinese martial arts school. Upon leaving California, he was stationed at Andrews AFB, Maryland and decided to become a certified physical fitness trainer and due to his training skills he became his unit's best physical trainer. The commander named Jerome's training style “Gum-Bo or Jerome-Bo” because he incorporated kicking and punching in his training. Jerome had his first son Jerome T. Gumbs (JT). He trained his son in the basics of martial arts then enrolled him in Tae kwon do under Master Lynnette Love, the 1988 Tae kwon do Gold medalist. Jerome's second son Jason also joined Master Love's class. Currently JT is a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a first degree in Kaifuku Kerai Shin, and Jason is a 2nd degree black belt in Tae kwon do.

When Jerome returned from Korea, he found a Kyokushinkai school an hour away and he quickly joined the class. He trained under Master Robinson a 5th degree black belt. Jerome quickly gained the respect of Master Robinson and his classmates and was allowed to teach clases in Master Robinson's absent. Jerome taught the class the way he did in Japan and received praises from all the students. Master Robinson asked Jerome to start teaching the class at least once day a week and didn't require him to pay for classes any longer. Jerome had to stop training because he severely sprained his ankle and later the school closed. Many people asked Jerome to teach again but he didn't have the time because he was still in the military and going to college. Fast forward a few years later, Jerome completed his Master's degree in Information Assurance and learned that Idris started his new style, Kaihuku Kerai Shin. Kancho Clymer asked Jerome to join his new style and to start teaching again. Jerome gave it much prayer and thought, then decided to move from Kyokushinkai and join Idris in his new style because he liked the Core Principles and the training stayed basically the same as Kyokushinkai. Jerome is a believer in the old adage, “If it's not broke, don't fix it”.

Gerald Tucker, Shodan, Branch Chief Delaware – Gerald was born on August 1, 1965, Roosevelt, Long Island, New York. Gerald currently lives in Delaware with his wife and two sons who are both students in Kaihuku Kerai Shin. Gerald works as a certified electrician. Gerald enjoyed being involved in sports while growing and he started in the martial arts at age 16 learning Japanese traditional style of karate and achieved the rank of green belt. Gerald desire to restart his karate training along with his two sons. He has been training in Kaihuku Kerai Shin for four years and views himself as dedicated, committed and a very humble person.

Aaron L. Hutt Sr. born May 22, 1969 in Wilmington DE is the youngest of five children and started studying martial arts at the very young age of 5yrs old. With no formal training, he attended training classes with his Mother Vera J. Hutt and Aunt Jan whom both earned their 2nd degree black belts in Gogu, under the Sensei Joe Robinson. Over the years, Aaron gained extended knowledge of the arts through sitting, listening, watching and lightly participating in various classes, three to four days a week for many years. Thus began his life time history of athletics.

During his school career, Aaron participated in various sports, in the community, He played football (Trojans), softball for the Kingwoods Community Center and joined the swim team at Browns Boys Club. During his school years, he participated in basketball, track, tennis and soccer. For years, Aaron continued to play many sports until he developed major problems with his knees. After surgery on his knees and many sessions of physical therapy, Aaron's therapist introduced him to the world of cycling, which led him to become an avid cyclist.

Cycling became Aaron's main sport of choice for many years. He joined the local cycling community and even began racing for Mountain Dew on Team Mountain Dew Sport. Even through cycling wasn't a popular sport among blacks, Aaron gained the respect of his community and received many questions and comments about this sport. Overall, he wasn't welcomed into the sport with open arms, due to the color of his skin. However, he didn't let that stop or bother him and continued riding for up to fifteen thousand miles a year for several years.

Being the proud father of four, changing work schedules and minor health issues caused Aaron to tremendously scale down his cycling. Instead, he focused on his children and involved them in many different sports and activities like football, basketball, dance and cheerleading. In 2011, his son Aaron Jr. and daughter Bryce were enrolled in a karate class at LJ's PlayPen Academy where they studied Kyokushin-Kai martial arts under Sensei Idris Clymer.

Aaron became so interested in Kyokushin-Kai himself that upon approval of his doctor, Dr Yvette Gbemudu, began taking classes in December 2011. Through hard work and dedication, Aaron bypassed his blue belt and received his yellow belt from Sensei Clymer in June 2012. In May 2013, Sensei Clymer began a new karate system, Kaifuku Kerai Shin Ryu, which Aaron has embraced completely. During this time period with the guidance of Jesus Christ Our Lord, Aaron has designed the new Kaifuku Kerai Shin logo, state shoulder patches, created websites and monthly news letter. Currently, Aaron has received his Nidon (black belt) and the Natiional Chief Administrator by Dr Idris Clymer, Kancho, 8th Dan.

John was born in Baltimore, MD on March 31, 1958 and currently lives in Camp Springs, MD with his wife and son. He has a daughter, son in law and four Grand Children. He attends First Baptist Church of Camp Springs and serves as a Deacon and sings in the choir.He attended Baltimore City Public Schools and began playing trumpet in the fourth grade. He graduated from Southwestern High School in 1975. At Southwestern, he enjoyed athletics and ran track and wrestled for four years; ran cross country for three years and played one season of soccer. While in high school, he worked at Hilton Recreation Center as a wrestling coach and summer part time work at White Coffee Pot Jr. Family Restaurant

John attended Friendship Baptist Church, where he was baptized, and he was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout. He was the Assistant Patrol Leader of Troop #253. He learned how to play baseball and learned how to swim while attending the scouting program at Friendship Baptist Church. He took night classes at the Community College of Baltimore while in the tenth grade. After high school, he attended Manchester University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University and coop classes at Towson State University. John also attended Catonsville Community College. In 1981, John began working for Family and Child Services of Washington D.C. as a counselor in the Summer and Winter Camping Program. He moved to Washington D.C. in 1985 when he accepted a position as Foster Parent/House Manager with Family and Child Services for several years. John married Shelia Roberson in 1987. He ended employment with Family and Child Services of Washington D.C. and worked as an Operations Manager and Coordinator of Community Living Services for Rock Creek Foundation. After leaving Rock Creek Foundation, John worked as a Long Term Substitute for D.C. Public Schools and taught Physical Education and Environmental Science. He later worked as a Casual Postal Worker- Mail Handler and Letter Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. He currently works in a Technical Data Storage Facility, for an Engineering Firm, as a researcher of water surface profile studies. John started taking Karate with Shihan Jerome Gumbs several years ago. The plan was to get his son (a Second degree Blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do) involved into some “real martial arts” and drop out. John began liking the class so much that he continued to attend. He earned his Black Belt in Kaifuku Kerai Shin last summer.