Cristian Nelson is the founder of the National Karate Schools in Illinois.  He began training with the National Karate Schools in 1983 under the expert tutelage of 10th Degree Black Belt, Grand Master John Worley, who is one of America’s most prominent martial artists. Mr. Nelson also studied and trained with some of the top professional fighters of our time including World Kick-Boxing Champion John Longstreet, and U.S. Kick-Boxing Champions Scott Masterton and Terry Norblom.

 

Mr. Nelson began his martial arts teaching career in 1987 and as soon as 1990, he was presented with the “School of the Year” award. While teaching karate he also doubled his time by attending the University of Minnesota where he studied Business and Communications.

 

After college, Mr. Nelson then pursued his sport karate career in earnest where he won or placed in nearly every karate tournament he entered. In 1994, the N.C.K.A. (North Central Karate Association) presented him with the “Top Competitor Award” for fighting. Some of his other awards include; the prestigious “Instructor of the Year” award, he is a 6-time winner of the “School of Champions” award, and a 8-time winner of the “School of the Year” award.  In 2005, he was awarded the “John Worley Leadership Award” for Organizational Excellence. His schools were voted the “Best Martial Arts Studio’s” in the Chicagoland area by the readers of the Daily Herald newspaper in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017. Master Nelson is also a certified Krav Maga Self-Defense Instructor.

 

He currently oversees the training of over 1,200 students and conducts advanced training for 30 instructors and staff.

 

He serves as as a mens group leader and an Elder at his church and conducts summer karate camps in the summer for churches.

 

Master Nelson attributes any success and accomplishments he may have had to God’s grace and to the help of the great instructors he has been blessed to work with.

 

Mr. Nelson and his wife Kelly (a 3rd Degree Black Belt) live in the western suburbs of Chicago with their 4 children.