INSTRUCTORS

Sanchin Budokai has two instructors, Tommie Petersson and Marcus Wallin. Below is a brief introduction to each.

Tommie Petersson

Tommie Petersson is the head instructor (jap. sensei, chin. sifu) at Sanchin Budokai. He was born in Norrköping – the city where Sweden's oldest Kenpo club is located – and first stepped into a karate dojo in 1999. Since then, he has dedicated over two decades to martial arts training and instruction, with a focus on integrating traditional budo principles with modern self-defense perspectives.

He has trained in the United States under Bernie Gorak II, whose instructor lineage traces back to the founder of modern Kenpo, Edmund K. Parker Sr. He has also trained under other masters with Parker in their instructor lineage, such as Shawn Armstrong and Robert S. Shook. Holding black belts in multiple martial arts systems and with extensive teaching experience, Tommie leads his classes with an emphasis on technical precision, personal growth, and respect for the core values of martial discipline. He also has a long background in classical Jiu-Jitsu, having trained in several different systems with a focus on self-defense, throws, joint locks, and ground control. His teaching style is inclusive and methodical, tailored to suit both beginners and advanced practitioners. In addition to his role as instructor, Tommie offers custom self-defense courses upon request—for individuals, schools, workplaces, and organizations. In 2024, he was appointed Sweden's national representative for the World Kenpo-Kaikan International Karate Organisation (WKKO), and in 2025 the national representative for the World Association of Kempo Unions (WAKU). That same year, he was also inducted into the World Council of Masters.

Outside the dojo, Tommie works as a teacher educator and doctoral candidate in educational sciences at Uppsala University. He is a licensed and experienced primary and secondary school teacher, as well as an author of educational materials.

Marcus Wallin

Marcus Wallin is responsible for the children's classes (Kenpo Kids) and the adult Kenpo classes on Sundays. He is a certified assistant junior instructor (jap. sempai, chin. sihing) and teaches students across a range of belt levels.

He aims to create training sessions that combine clear structure with a positive and encouraging atmosphere, giving each participant the opportunity to develop according to their individual abilities. For Marcus, Kenpo is more than just self-defence – it is a tool for personal growth. He emphasises the importance of discipline, balance, and community in training, and works to inspire both children and adults to achieve their goals, whether that means earning their next belt or building self-confidence.

In addition to his role as an instructor, Marcus trains regularly in strength and endurance through weight training and running. Outside the dojo, he works as a performer, specialising in interpreting the music of Elvis Presley. Interestingly, Presley – in addition to being one of the most famous artists in history – was also a highly ranked and enthusiastic Kenpo practitioner under the system's founder, Edmund K. Parker Sr.