Thunder Gate’s history is rich and deep, drawing on a lineage that can be traced back thousands of years.  At the heart of Thunder Gate’s martial curriculum is Isshinryu, a karate system formalized in the mid-1950’s by Tatsuo Shimabuku (1908-1975). Isshinryu was created from the synthesis of Gojuryu and Shorinryu styles. Isshin Kempo was later founded in 1970 by William Scott Russel in New Jersey. Russell expanded Isshinryu’s technical, internal, and kata curriculum. Chris Goedecke, a senior Isshin Kempo instructor, became the system's successor in 2000 after the founder’s passing. Shifu Goedecke (Hayashi Tomio) adds 47 years of martial experience to the system and continues to develop Isshin Kempo’s energetic, metaphysical, and therapeutic dimensions.

Tom Maloney started his martial arts journey in 2004 in Arizona where he studied Shaolin Kempo. Later that same year he was helping to teach his fellow students. In 2006, he set off for college at Drew University in New Jersey where he majored in Chinese language. It was at this time that he met Hayashi Tomio and began training in Isshin Kempo. After college, Tom stayed in New Jersey to become a teacher with Hayashi Tomio’s Wind School. During this time Tom also went on numerous training pilgrimages to China with fellow instructors. They traveled to the infamous Mount Wudang and underwent rigorous training in Qi Gong, Hsing Yi Quan, and Zhan Zhuang. Sensei Tom continues to share his art with interested individuals and looks forward to meeting you.