<p>Shihan Marius Gilca, chief instructor of IMA Utah, was born in Brasov, Romania in 1970. He started karate at age 13 and received his 1st degree black belt at age 19. He currently holds a 6th degree black belt in Shotokan and is a certified USA Karate Kumite Referee. With over 25 years of teaching experience, teaching certificat<span class="text_exposed_show">es from the Romanian Minister of Education and Sport along with 2 year certification from the Romanian Karate Federation, Shihan Marius is well educated in karate and teaching karate. Five years of his time in Romania he spent teaching Martial Arts to the Romanian Military Police which gave him diversity in teaching more than just karate. Sponsored by the Romanian Minister of Education and Sport along with various corporate sponsors, Sensei Marius also traveled Europe competing professionally for over 10 years earning several European titles. Shihan Marius came to the US in 1999 when he was offered a job as a karate instructor for a Florida University, after which he moved to Utah to pursue further career opportunities. He joined the IMA organization in June 2007 after searching for a family orientated organization with a great structured program. Shihan Marius’ teaching philosophy is to help students become better people through martial arts by helping them develop a stronger and healthier mind and body.</span></p>