FARMINGTON – “Ichi. Ni. San. (One, two three).” As each Japanese number rang from sensei Mike Cook’s mouth, a new kata, or pose, was struck.

“Shi. Go. Roku. (Four, five, six).” Students Lisa Turner and Alison Chakoumakos, third- and second-degree black belts, respectively, moved gracefully behind their teacher. With each sharp breath, they worked to perfect moves karate students have been practicing for hundreds of generations.

Of the 38 Americans traveling to Japan next month to compete in the 9th Shotokan Karate International Federation (SKIF) World Championships, four have Maine roots, and three are Cook’s students. The fourth is Cook himself.

“Oss.” A bow, the end of the set. The three relaxed, visibly, and there was some laughter as one, and then the others, joked about how much practice they still need to do.

A few seconds later, they’re back at it again, practicing kata and then moving on to kumite – sparring.

The three women and one man from Maine going to Japan next month are at the upper echelons of Shotokan karate in the United States. Cook is one of only six sixth-degree black belts in America. Turner became the first woman black belt in Maine in 1978, when she was only 18. Chakoumakos and Michele Farwell, of Windham, both run dojos of their own. All placed high in the SKIF National Tournament in Minnesota last September.

They’ve been training with one another under Cook for most of their lives.

Cook started with karate in 1966, when he was 17 and the discipline was virtually unknown in the United States. His instructor was the Japanese Tabata-sensei. “The term (sensei) was master, but we used to call him monster,” Cook said cheerfully, explaining the taxing classes Tabata taught. “250 push-ups, 1,000 punches, 1,000 kicks, 1,000 blocks. And that was warm-ups,” he said.

Karate-ka, or karate students, don’t mind the difficulty. “When you come through the door, it becomes budo, the way of the warrior,” Cook said. It’s a kind of discipline that changes you, he said.

And change, they all have. Cook recently survived a bout with colon cancer he said would have killed him, if not for karate. Turner, a mother of five, is a U.S. Marine veteran who was deployed to Iraq in the U.S. Army reserves.

“I was meritoriously promoted out of (Marine) boot camp,” she said, speaking quietly. “I already had the discipline and the physical training.”

Turner was 13 when she started. Chakoumakos was a bit older: 15. They grew up with karate, and Chakoumakos said she’s a happier person because of it.

“It’s a competition between you and yourself,” she said. “It’s very challenging and something you can incorporate into every aspect of your life; it’s been so helpful,” she said. Aside from making her physically coordinated and strong enough to do practically any sport she wants, karate has given her a confidence she thinks is important – particularly for women.

“I don’t know what it would feel like to…walk down the street and not know how to take care of myself (if attacked),” she said.

Farwell, who could not be reached for comment Friday, has been doing karate for about 18 years, Cook said, and, like himself, started studying with Tabata.

Cook is extremely proud of all three of his students. “They’re the best of the best Maine has,” he said. Turner and Chakoumakos say similar things about him.

“He is such a friend,” Chakoumakos said. ” He’s a really special person in my life, and he is so generous with his students.”

Part of the reason they all get along so well – Cook has remained close friends with many former students and teachers – is the karate “spirit.”

“I think what you’re going to find is serious, traditional karate people are probably some of the kindest, most sincere and gentle people around,” Cook said. The emphasis the sport places on respect and character means those who take it seriously try to stay humble and see themselves as perpetual students.

“Karate is sometimes termed moving Zen,” Cook said. “It shows you what you can do, what you can’t do…and you, yourself, and your mind, are the only limitations.”