Ms. Carrissa Merchant
Ms. Carrissa Merchant has dedicated more than 15 years to the study and teaching of Martial Arts. She began training in 2009 and has been teaching Zen Shotokai Karate & Kobudo since 2011 under Sensei Brian Pena.
Ms. Merchant holds the rank of Yondan (4th Degree Blackbelt) in Zen Shotokai Karate & Kobudo and serves as Chief Instructor of The Karate Dojo. In that role, she carries tremendous responsibility for the teaching, training, and development of our students — Mind, Body, and Spirit.
Her favorite place to be is on the Dojo floor. Whether teaching a beginner taking their first steps in Karate or helping develop the next generation of Blackbelts, Ms. Merchant works to cultivate discipline, confidence, character, and a genuine love for Martial Arts.
Ms. Merchant has competed successfully for many years, earning numerous Grand Champion awards. Yet her greatest competitive pride has never been found in her own trophies. It is found in watching our students compete, grow, overcome challenges, and discover what they are capable of.
In 2022, Ms. Merchant was named Commissioner of the TCT Sport Martial Arts circuit, a position she served in through 2026. That same year, she was presented the Jill Cadre Warrior Award, recognizing the Warrior attributes of Confidence, Strength, Discipline, and Bravery. In 2025, her years of service to Martial Arts and the thousands of young people whose lives she has helped influence were recognized with her induction as a Legend of Carolina Martial Arts.
Karate is also a family way of life for Ms. Merchant. She 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 has made Karate a way of life — for life. Few things mean more to her than teaching Karate, mentoring young people, and loving the students entrusted to her care.
Martial Arts Rank & Achievement
Legend of Carolina Martial Arts — 2025
On July 26, 2025, Ms. Merchant was officially inducted as a Legend of Carolina Martial Arts in recognition of her contributions not only to Martial Arts, but to the growth and betterment of thousands of students in our community and beyond whose lives she has touched.
For Sensei Pena, recognizing his Chief Instructor in this way was both personal and an honor.
Yondan (4th Degree Blackbelt), Legends — 2025
On July 26, 2025, Ms. Merchant was promoted to Yondan (4th Degree Blackbelt) within the Legends of Carolina Martial Arts organization during the 2025 Induction Ceremony.
Yondan (4th Degree Blackbelt), TCT — 2024
On October 13, 2024, Ms. Merchant was promoted to Yondan (4th Degree Blackbelt) within the TCT Sport Martial Arts organization during the TCT National Championships & Year-End Banquet.
Yondan (4th Degree Blackbelt), Zen Shotokai — 2024
On August 10, 2024, at the request of Sensei Pena, Ms. Merchant traveled with Ms. Hunnicutt and Mr. Crawford to New York City to complete an approximately nine-month test for Yondan (4th Degree Blackbelt).
Her test concluded first within St. Patrick’s Cathedral and then through Central Park, where Sensei Pena had the honor of promoting Ms. Merchant to Yondan (4th Degree Blackbelt) within Zen Shotokai Karate & Kobudo.
Years of training, teaching, devotion, accomplishment, and loyalty stood behind that moment.
She possesses a good mind, a sound heart, and phenomenal physical ability — beyond what she sometimes realizes. She is a credit to her Sensei, The Karate Dojo, and Zen Shotokai.
Legit. Earned. Blessed.
Sandan (3rd Degree Blackbelt), Legends — 2020
On August 20, 2020, Ms. Merchant was promoted to Sandan (3rd Degree Blackbelt) within the Legends of Carolina Martial Arts organization during the 2020 Induction Ceremony.
Sandan (3rd Degree Blackbelt), Zen Shotokai — 2020
On May 30, 2020, as the “Walk Alone Fire Walk” blessing of the new land for The Karate Dojo was coming to an end, Sensei Pena pulled Ms. Merchant and Ms. Hunnicutt aside.
Covered in smoke and surrounded by a moment that would become part of the Dojo’s history, they were promoted to Sandan (3rd Degree Blackbelt) within Zen Shotokai Karate & Kobudo.
The recognition was earned through knowledge, hard work, perseverance, loyalty, and their commitment to helping solidify the Dojo’s Legacy for generations to come.
Nidan (2nd Degree Blackbelt) — 2018
On January 7, 2018, Ms. Merchant was voted in as Nidan (2nd Degree Blackbelt) within Zen Shotokai Karate & Kobudo by a panel of 37 Blackbelts of skill and character.
The vote came at approximately 11:30 PM following more than 14 hours of physical, mental, and emotional testing the previous day.
The body will go as far as the mind tells it to. Ms. Merchant proved it firsthand.
Shodan (1st Degree Blackbelt) — 2015
On January 19, 2015, Ms. Merchant was voted in as Shodan (1st Degree Blackbelt) within Zen Shotokai Karate & Kobudo by a panel of 14 Blackbelts of skill and character.
From January 17–19, she remained inside the Dojo as she was tested physically, mentally, and emotionally through the process of becoming a Blackbelt.
It was the beginning of a journey that would eventually take her from student and Blackbelt to Chief Instructor of The Karate Dojo — helping lead, teach, and mentor the generations coming behind her.
