5 X World Champion
Joseph Walker
About Shihan Joseph Walker
1960
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Began his Study of the Martial Arts, enrolling in Judo
1968
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Began his training in Karate-Do under the students of Grandmaster Trias. (the first man to teach Karate in America)
1969
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Made his first trip to Phoenix, Arizona to study directly with Grandmaster Trias
1970
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Won the Midwest Championships for the first time, in the Purple Belt division against over 60 other competitors.
1973
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Became the first man promoted to ShoDan under Grandmaster Trias, Shuri-Ryu standards
1975
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Promoted to NiDan in Karate-Do
1979
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Promoted to SanDan in Karate-Do
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Became Director of the Academy of Okinawan Karate, Inc.
1981
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Begins training in Kendo
1982
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Promoted to Yo-Dan (4th Degree Black Belt) in Karate-Do
1984
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Becomes certified to teach Weapons
1985
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Earns International Referee Certification
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Promoted to GoDan in Karate-Do
1986
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Appointed Head Referee at World Championships
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Member of the World Grand-Champion Bunkai team
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Toured Asia with Grandmaster Trias
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Threw the World Koshiki champion in first Koshiki match
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Fought Okinawan Champion.
1987
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Won First Koshiki match in America
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Brought Grandmaster Trias to Peoria for 1st Open Koshiki Tournament
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Earns ShoDan in Judo under Grandmaster Trias.
1988
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Passes written test for Chief Instructor of the Shuri-Ryu system with one of the highest grade worldwide
1989
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Appointed Assistant Chief Instructor by Grandmaster Trias (1 of only 3)
1990
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Wins both Heavy Weight and Grand Championship Koshiki titles at World Championships
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Promoted to RokkuDan in Karate-Do
1991
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Successfully defends his Grand Championship title in Koshiki at World Championships
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Places 2nd in Kata in Master's Division
1993
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Promoted to NiDan in Judo
1994
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Competes as a Heavyweight at Tokyo World Championships
1996
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Promoted to Shishi Dan in Karate-Do
1997
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The Academy of Okinawan Karate is voted one of the top 200 Schools in North America
1999
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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
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Appointed Chief Instructor of Shuri-Ryu Karate-Do
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Named to the Small Businessman's Advisory Committee by Congressman Tom Delay
2004
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Leads team to participate in the International Karate Seminar in Naha, Okinawa.
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Earns Instructor Certification in Haganah Self Defense.
2005
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Introduces and Teaches Haganah at the International Shuri-Ryu Association International Seminar.
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Is awarded the International Shuri-Ryu Association First Ambassador Award for Oustanding Contributions in promoting Shuri-Ryu around the Nation and the World.
2006
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Wins Masters Division Kata Championship at the 2006 World Championships
2008
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Promoted to Hachi Dan (8th degree Black Belt) in Karate-Do
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2015
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​Opened The Academy of Okinawan Karate of Texas
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2019
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Promoted to Ku Dan (9th degree Black Belt) in Karate-Do