|
1960 |
- Began his Study of the Martial Arts, enrolling in Judo |
|
1968 |
- Began his training in Karate-Do under the students of Grandmaster Trias. (the first man to teach Karate in America) |
|
1969 |
- Made his first trip to Phoenix, Arizona to study directly with Grandmaster Trias |
|
1970 |
- Won the Midwest Championships for the first time, in the Purple Belt division against over 60 other competitors. |
|
1973 |
- Became the first man promoted to ShoDan under Grandmaster Trias� Shuri-Ryu standards |
|
1975 |
- Promoted to NiDan in Karate-Do |
|
1979 |
- Promoted to SanDan in Karate-Do |
|
1979 |
- Became Director of the Academy of Okinawan Karate, Inc. |
|
1981 |
- Begins training in Kendo |
|
1982 |
- Promoted to Yo-Dan (4th Degree Black Belt) in Karate-Do |
|
1984 |
- Becomes certified to teach Weapons |
|
1985 |
- Earns International Referee Certification;
- Promoted to GoDan in Karate-Do |
|
1986 |
- Appointed Head Referee at World Championships;
- Member of the World Grand-Champion Bunkai team;
- Toured Asia with Grandmaster Trias;
- Threw the World Koshiki champion in first Koshiki match;
- Fought Okinawan Champion. |
|
1987 |
- Won First Koshiki match in America;
- Brought Grandmaster Trias to Peoria for 1st Open Koshiki Tournament;
- Earns ShoDan in Judo under Grandmaster Trias. |
|
1988 |
- Passes written test for Chief Instructor of the Shuri-Ryu system with one of the highest grade worldwide |
|
1989 |
- Appointed Assistant Chief Instructor by Grandmaster Trias (1 of only 3) |
|
1990 |
- Wins both Heavy Weight and Grand Championship Koshiki titles at World Championships;
- Promoted to RokkuDan in Karate-Do |
|
1991 |
- Successfully defends his Grand Championship title in Koshiki at World Championships;
- Places 2nd in Kata in Master�s Division |
|
1993 |
- Promoted to NiDan in Judo |
|
1994 |
- Competes as a Heavyweight at Tokyo World Championships |
|
1996 |
- Promoted to Shishi Dan in Karate-Do |
|
1997 |
- The Academy of Okinawan Karate is voted one of the top 200 Schools in North America |
|
1999 |
- Takes demonstration team from Peoria to Okinawa to participate in the 10th Matyoshi Memorial Festival, in which Shihan is asked to demonstrate Kata during the Itoman Village Festival. |
|
2003 |
- Appointed Chief Instructor of Shuri-Ryu Karate-Do;
- Named to the Small Businessman's Advisory Committee by Congressman Tom Delay |
|
2004
2005
2006
|
- Leads team to participate in the International Karate Seminar in Naha, Okinawa.
- Earns Instructor Certification in Haganah Self Defense.
- Introduces and Teaches Haganah at the International Shuri-Ryu Association International Seminar.
- Is awarded the International Shuri-Ryu Association First Ambassador Award for Oustanding Contributions in promoting Shuri-Ryu around the Nation and the World.
- Wins Masters Division Kata Championship at the 2006 World Championships |
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Joseph Walker
