Kaufmann’s Karate: How a Local Dojo Built 26 Years of Community, Competition, and Character
- Noelle Pappas
- Jan 23
- 5 min read
Kaufmann's Karate is celebrating its 26th year in Hernando County with one of its most successful competitive seasons yet, earning 15 national titles and expanding its role in youth development and community engagement in Spring Hill.
When James Kaufmann Sr. unlocked the doors of Kaufmann’s Karate for the first time in 1999, the dojo was a dream and a handful of students. “When I first started, I had probably 10 students,” he said. “Then I built it up to about 20 students where I finally got my first storefront.”
In those early days, most of his students were adults, and classes focused heavily on sparring. Kids’ programs came later. “It took a while before we started getting the kids program going, but then we got up to probably about 30 or 40 students.”
26 years later, Kaufmann’s Karate stands as the longest continuously running martial arts school in Hernando County. The dojo now offers classes six days a week and serves students as young as 4 years old through its “Little Ninjas” program. Its staff has grown to five instructors, including Kaufmann’s son, James Kaufmann Jr., a 3rd-degree black belt and National Point Fighting Champion.
Running the dojo was always a lifelong goal. “I've wanted to have my own school ever since I started karate at 9 years old,” Kaufmann said. “That was my dream.”
He credits the dojo’s longevity to its atmosphere and teaching approach. “I think it’s been open so long because of my flexible style of teaching,” he explained. “I’m pretty easygoing with the students, but I’m still strict. There’s something for everybody. Different classes for different skill levels. And it’s like a family feel. People feel comfortable at the school.”
Parent Laysi Loydgren can attest to Kaufmann Sr.’s teaching style, saying “[he] creates a firm but loving environment. We recommend karate to any parent we can to improve all aspects of their child's life.”
That family-centered environment pairs with a broad curriculum for a local dojo, offering traditional karate, competitive karate, judo, kickboxing, weapons, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Some of the dojo’s most meaningful traditions happen outside of their regular classes. The annual Kick-a-Thon for St. Jude, now a major community event, was inspired by Kaufmann’s son’s battle with Leukemia.
Kaufmann Jr., was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when he was just 2 years old. Now at nearly 17 years old, Kaufmann Jr. said “it’s full circle coming back to the karate school that helped my family and I get through a tough time in life.” Kaufmann Jr. has been cancer free since May 13th, 2014.
The community helped the Kaufmanns through that period, inspiring the Kick-a-Thon. “We started doing the Kick-a-Thon because of James,” he said. “The community really helped us out, so I always felt like that was my best way to give back.”
Over the years, the dojo has raised about $25,000 for St. Jude. The event features board breaking, demonstrations, and themed family activities. “Sometimes that’s the first time they’ve ever broken a board. To see the expression on their face… it’s really neat.”
The dojo’s Trunk or Treat event has also grown into a major community draw. “It’s really cool to see all the families and parents get together and be a big part of it,” Kaufmann said. Their summer Karate Camp has expanded as well. What began inside the dojo now includes full programming with field trips “almost every single day [of camp], we’re out going to Tampa, Orlando, baseball games, all kinds of stuff.”
This year marked the dojo’s largest competitive season yet.
“We had 20 students that competed all over the state of Florida,” Kaufmann said. “And we had five of our students compete all over the country, all the way up to Chicago and down to Miami.”
By the end of the season, the team brought home 15 national titles in kata, weapons, kickboxing, and point fighting under USA Sport Karate. Last year, they were recognized as the top competitive team in the state.
Competitive students train “roughly five days a week, some of them six,” with advanced fight training twice a week and elite forms practice on Saturdays.
But Kaufmann said the payoff extends far beyond medals. “A lot of parents will tell me their discipline is better,” he said. “Students act better in school, they’re more attentive in their classes.” For older students, martial arts becomes a tool for confidence, self-control, and reduced screen time. “It’s just overall a really healthy practice.”
Laysi Loydgren, a parent of three students on the competition team at Kaufmann’s Karate, said the impact has been massive. Loydgren has three sons, Brian, 10, Liam, 9, and Leo, 5, who call the dojo their “second home.”
“We put them in karate about three years ago because as a law enforcement family, we want them to know how to defend themselves.” Loydgren said that now, it’s become much more than just self-defense.
“Their focus has even improved in school, with their teachers complimenting their commitment and discipline. All three of my kids are different from each other, but it has made them all much more confident,” said Loydgren.
Liam and Leo are both ranked 2nd nationally for kata and 3rd for weapons in their respective age divisions, while Brian has 3 silver medals, 3 bronze medals, and ranked in the top 10 for traditional forms and traditional weapons. “The dojo is their favorite place to be. They truly love going there, they love their Senseis, and they love karate,” Loydgren said.
When asked what values he hopes students carry with them, Kaufmann didn’t hesitate. “Confidence. Leadership. Camaraderie. Sportsmanship. Integrity. These are all qualities we hope to instill.”
And even after decades in business, his mission remains unchanged. “My goal is to produce and give quality martial arts training to everybody that comes through the doors,” he said. “Just to make sure we’re teaching the best martial arts possible.”
With a 7th-degree black belt, a community-first philosophy, and generations of students who credit the dojo with shaping their lives, James Kaufmann of Kaufmann’s Karate continues to stand as one of Hernando County’s most influential martial arts schools one kick, one class, and one student at a time.
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