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
2008 | - 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 -Promoted to Hachi Dan (8th degree Black Belt) in Karate-Do |
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Joseph Walker
