Ms. Carrissa Merchant is certified at Sandan (3rd Degree Blackbelt) within Zen Shotokai, and under Sensei Brian Pena. Ms. Merchant has 15+ years of experience in training and teaching Martial Arts, originally starting in 2009. She has been teaching the art of Zen Shotokai Karate & Kobudo since 2011.
Ms. Merchant is the proud wife of Mr. Clint Merchant, Sandan (3rd Degree Blackbelt) and mother of Mr. Christian Merchant and Mr. Connor Merchant, both Nidan (2nd Degree Blackbelt).
Ms. Merchant is the Chief Instructor at The Karate Dojo, within Zen Shotokai Karate and Kobudo. She is ultimately responsible for the teaching and training of each of our students – Mind, Body, and Spirit. Her favorite place to be is on the floor teaching the next generation, while cultivating the discipline and love of Martial Arts.
In addition Ms. Merchant is the Director of the TCT Sport Martial Arts circuit since 2022, as well as is certified to Shodan (1st Degree Blackbelt) within the TCT organization. She was presented with the Jill Cadre Warrior Award in 2022 recognizing her Warrior attributes of Confidence, Strength, Discipline, and Bravery.
Ms. Merchant has competed in numerous tournaments over the years and has won several Grand Champion awards. Her first point of pride though is in how our students place and how they grow through the sport.
Ms. Merchant has made Karate a way of life – for life. She loves nothing more than teaching Karate and loving the youth she serves as a mentor to.
