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5 X World Champion

Joseph Walker

About Shihan Joseph Walker

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

  • 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

  • Leads team to participate in the International Karate Seminar in Naha, Okinawa.

  • Earns Instructor Certification in Haganah Self Defense.

 

2005

  • 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.

 

2006

  • Wins Masters Division Kata Championship at the 2006 World Championships

 

2008

  • Promoted to Hachi Dan (8th degree Black Belt) in Karate-Do

​​

2015

  •   ​Opened The Academy of Okinawan Karate of Texas

​​

2019

  •   Promoted to Ku Dan (9th degree Black Belt) in Karate-Do

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