About Darrin McGowan

Darrin McGowan is a Seventh Degree Black Belt in Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu Koeppel-Ha under the karate pioneer Phillip Koeppel, Hanshi. As the Senior Instructor for Pinnacle Martial Arts (PMA) with over 40 years of experience, Darrin has competed nationally and internationally, including in Okinawa. He has taught and trained several individuals, earning a reputation for his expertise and passion for martial arts.

In addition to his martial arts accomplishments, Darrin has developed and presented programs on school bullying, personal safety, and self-defense. He also has extensive experience in security, having worked at concerts, events, and for celebrities.

Darrin’s dedication to his community is equally impressive. He served three terms on the Rushville City Council, contributing nearly 21 years of public service, including roles on the Board of Works and Unsafe Hearing Board. Additionally, he served as a Rushville Reserve Police Officer for 10 years and a Rush County Reserve Deputy for 2 years. Darrin is also a founding member of the Riverside Park Amphitheater and continues to serve on its board.

Although starting his martial arts journey began in 1981, Darrin began his training in Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu Koeppel-Ha in 2000 under Hanshi Phillip Koeppel after meeting him in 1994 at the United States Karate-Do Kai National Championships in Peoria, IL. In 2000, Darrin started training in Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu Koeppel-Ha and in 2015, after his teacher, at that time retired, he became a direct student of the Hanshi Koeppel himself.

Since 1999, Darrin has been the Martial Arts Instructor at Mays Community Academy, a public charter school in northern Rush County. And in 2022, McGowan was appointed to the United States Karate-Do Kai Executive Board of Directors and serves as Secretary. The U.S.K.K. is an organization the Hanshi Koeppel formed in 1984.

Other accomplishments include being named the 2012 Rush County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year and receiving the prestigious United States Karate-Do Kai Phillip W. Koeppel Award of Excellence. In 2019, Darrin was honored with the Large Double-Bladed Axe, the highest distinction awarded by the United States Karate-Do Kai, becoming the 62nd recipient of this prestigious honor. Hashi Koeppel sadly passed away in 2022 and since that time, McGowan has made it his mission to continue with share Hanshi Koeppel’s legacy