The Haverhill Shotokan Karate-Do Club was founded in 1981 by its Chief Instructor, Shihan Robert Harb. Shihan Harb holds the rank of Roku Dan (6th Degree black belt). He was awarded this rank by Grandmaster Kazumi Tabata, 8th degree black belt and student of Isao Obata. Sensei Obata was the first President of the Japan Karate Federation and student of Funakoshi Gichin, the founder of Shotokan Karate. The Haverhill Club is a member of the North American Karate-Do Federation, Inc., a Federation of Shotokan Karate Clubs in New England and Bermuda founded by Grandmaster Tabata who is its Chief Instructor.
Harb has been teaching Shotokan Karate for over 36 years. He is also the co-founder of the Boston University Shotokan Karate-Do Club. Harb also holds a second degree black belt in Kyokushinkai-Kan and a kyu rank in Kodokan Judo. Harb is a former member of the North American Karate-Do Club International Karate Team and the New England AAU Karate Team. He has competed for many years at karate tournaments at all levels and events and holds local, regional and national trophies and medals for kumite, kata and weapons. He is a former AAU Nationally Certified Karate Judge. Harb is also a coach for the New England Collegiate Karate Conference International Team which recently returned from a tournament in Tokyo, Japan.
