About me: Dojo USA is located in at 1215 E. Walnut, Carbondale, IL, 62901. We are inside Sportsblast sports complex behind University Mall. We can be reached at 618) 985-3955.
Mr. Tim Fickes began his formal martial arts study in 1979, under Prof. D.M. Hurst, 8th degree black belt. His love for the martial arts was immediate and training became nearly an addiction. Mr. Fickes still holds the United States Black Belt Association record for achieving black belt in the shortest amount of time. Within a few years, Mr. Fickes had also made black belt in Go-Shiro Ryu Kempo Jujutsu and had begun teaching in Mattoon and Charleston, IL. Mr. Fickes currently holds two third degree black belts and a first degree black belt in different styles of Kempo Jujutsu. He also holds a first degree black belt in Goju Kempo Karate-Do and was awarded the title of Shihan in Go-Kei Ryu kempo Jujutsu. He has received training in over 50 styles of martial arts and believes strongly in exposure to the martial arts as a whole.
During Mr. Fickes’ first four years of instruction under Prof. Hurst he also received training under two of Prof. Hurst’s instructors, Dr. Rodney Sacharnoski, 10th degree blackbelt and Seyu Oyata, 10th degree black belt. Both men are world renowned instructors and had major influences on his instruction today.
Mr. Fickes started teaching in Prof. Hurst’s school in Effingham in 1981. After about 6 months of teaching under his direction, Mr. Fickes started teaching in a commercial school located in Mattoon, IL. In 1983, Mr. Fickes took a position teaching credit and non-credit courses for Eastern Illinois University. In 1984, he opened a commercial school in Charleston, IL, and taught there until 1986.
In 1986, Mr. Fickes enlisted into the US Army as a medic. He was assigned to a rapid deployment light infantry unit stationed in Hawaii. Upon Arrival in Hawaii, Mr. Fickes sought out instruction under Prof. William K.S. Chow, founder of Kara-Ho Chinese Kenpo. Chow was in his late 70’s and was very restrictive as to whom he took on as a student. Mr. Fickes was the last caucasion to study under Master Chow prior to his death. During the rest of his stay in Hawaii, Mr. Fickes studied Aikido under Master Robert Aoyaga, a direct disciple of Aikiodo’s founder, Morihei Uyeshiba. Some of Mr. Fickes’ most notable military travel included: Thailand, Korea, Panama, Australia and the Phillipines.
In June of 1990, Mr. Fickes returned to Illinois to attend college. After one semester, he received a Presidential Order recalling him into the military for Desert Storm. His second term in the military lasted four months and then he returned to Illinois. At the request of a close friend, he agreed to take over a small martial arts class at a health club in Effingham, IL. After about 8 months, he and a few students opened the Midwest School of Self Defense.
The Midwest School of Self Defense remained open for six years. In that time Mr. Fickes trained amateur and professional boxers, kick boxers and no holds barred fighters. This included Jill Fickes who is now his wife.
Jill Fickes began training in martial arts at the age of eight under Prof. Hurst. After meeting Tim as an adult, she began training with him shortly before he opened the Midwest School of Self Defense. During the time she trained with him she competed in as many tough man contests as possible (finding competition for women at that time was nearly impossible). She also competed in boxing, kickboxing and Shootfighting. Her titles include 1997 Chicago Golden Gloves Lightweight Champion and 1998 North American Amateur Shootfighting Champion. Shortly after that she earned her first degree black belt in Kempo Jujutsu under Tim Fickes.
On July 4, 2001, Tim and Jill married in Hawaii. Shortly after that they moved to Carbondale, IL, and opened Dojo USA together on September 18, 2002. Dojo USA is the most successful school in Southern Illinois. Adult and youth students have competed in and placed in the top three in NAGA Chicago. Students have also competed in both amateur and professional mixed martial arts events. This includes students who have been aired on pay per view’s King of the Cage. Dojo USA will continue to be the premier school in the area. In addition to past seminars that included Matt Thornton, Pat Militich, Bart Vale and Leo Kirby, Dojo USA is planning on bringing in Marcello Garcia. Tim Fickes has also started his own fight promotion company, Kage One, Inc. This is an exciting undertaking which brings in some of the best fighters around. It will be exciting to see what the future brings.
Who I'd like to meet: Class Times*****
Mon. & Wed.: 6-7:00pm Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu*****
Mon. & Wed.: 7:15-8:30 Fighter Training*****
Tues. & Thurs.: 6-7:00pm Kids' Karate*****
Tues. & Thurs.: 7:15-8:30 Adult MMA
