David went on to win the Tennessee State Championship Men’s Division at age 16, and won the IIKA Heavyweight Division at age 17. He competed for twenty-one years, from September 1975 until August of 1996. He competed on the open karate circuit and was rated the #1 Heavy weight and #8 overall out of nine states in 1988. He was the Tennessee State Champion eight times, the IIKA champion four times, and was undefeated for five consecutive years in New York. He competed throughout the U.S. amassing over 140 tournament wins with 28 Grand Championships.

Mr. Gabbard has received many prestigious awards throughout his career. He received Karate-Ka of the Year from the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame in 1983, and 1987. He was inducted into the World Head of Family Sokeship Council Hall of Fame in 1995 and 1996 as Fighter of the Year. He was also inducted into the World Karate Union Hall of Fame in 1997 as Outstanding Fighter and received the Outstanding Competitor award from the American Okinawan Karate Association Hall of Fame that same year. In 1998, David was inducted into the World Masters and Legends Hall of Fame as the Outstanding Competitor.

Sensei Gabbard started the Karate School of Fairview in 1987, and today has thirteen black belt instructors. His personal training includes a variety of Martial Arts including Ju Jitsu, Kick Boxing, Tui Tae, Kyusho Jitsu and Weapons. He specializes in pressure point fighting and travels throughout the U.S. conducting seminars on pressure point techniques in the Isshin-Ryu katas. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the IIKA for the past five years.

Sensei Gabbard has worked for the Wilson County Sheriffs Department since 1993 serving in various capacities as a patrol deputy, training Sargent, and is currently second-in-command of the SWAT team which specializes in extensive training using tactics and firearms. He is a partner in Executive Protection Company which provides security for celebrities. Some of their clients have included Amy Grant, Wynona Judd, Gary Chapman, Donnie and Marie Osmond, pop group Hanson and Steven Seagal.