Chikara Kan, Inc. :: Author Biography

Shawn Kovacich has been a practicing martial artist for over 25 years, and currently holds a 4th degree (Yodan) black belt in Karate as certified by Shihan Dennis Dallas of the Helena Karate and Judo Club, and a 4th degree (Yodan) black belt in Tae Kwon Do as certified by the WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) in Seoul, South Korea. Shawn also holds ranking in the martial arts of Aikido, Hapkido, and Judo.

Mr. Kovacich started his martial arts training at the age of seventeen, and took to it like the proverbial duck to water, earning his first-degree black belt after two years and nine months of training. His teaching ability became evident early on in his training and he often assisted his instructors with newer students.

The most influential moment of Mr. Kovacich’s early martial arts training came when he was privileged to not only witness, but also to participate in two of his instructors, Shihan Brian Knechtges and Sensei Ben Hunn’s, third degree black belt test, in which Shihan Knechtges and Sensei Hunn had to fight continuously for 100 minutes each against a fresh opponent every minute. Punches and kicks were not pulled and the two men were pushed beyond all normal standards of human endurance. Both men not only prevailed and were awarded their third degree black belts, but they also became a source of inspiration for Mr. Kovacich. Years later, he would take this test not just once, but twice, and he emerged triumphant both times.

Shawn has competed in a large variety of tournaments from the former USTU Olympic style Tae Kwon Do competitions to the world class full-contact bare knuckle karate tournaments such as the prestigious Shidokan Open, Shidokan Team U.S.A., Great Northwestern Sabaki Satellite, and the Sabaki Challenge.

Shawn has also gained world wide attention for his two world records for endurance high kicking as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. He achieved his first world record on September 27th, 1986 with 10,502 high kicks in 5 hours and 30 minutes. His second record was even more impressive, with 11,000 high kicks in 5 hours 18 minutes and 43 seconds. This was accomplished on January 21st, 1989.

Shawn is the author of the highly acclaimed Achieving Kicking Excellence™ series of martial arts books, and is currently working on several additional marital arts and self-defense books. Several of these volumes are scheduled to be released in 2007.

Shawn Kovacich, martial artist/author
Achieving Kicking Excellence™ series