1972 - Born, Peoria, Illinois
1977 - Began in Judo in Peoria, Illinois
1979 - Began in Shuri-Ryu Karate and Okinawan Kobudo in Peoria, Illinois
1990 - Promoted to Yon Kyu by Shihan Walker
1994 - Promoted to Ni Kyu
2002 - Promoted to Sho Dan (1st Degree Black Belt)
2007 - Promoted to Ni Dan (2nd)
2009 - Promoted to San Dan (3rd)
1999 - Attended the First IFMA Seminal
2012 - Opened Walker's American Martial Arts in Illinois
2013 - Promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt Yon Dan In Ashigaru-Te Shuri-Ryu Karate-Do (Atarashii Budo Shu-Kai Certificate # 1307051860550), as well as, 3rd Degree in Kumagoshin Jitsu, and Sho Dan in Judo.
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2019 - January - Promoted to Go Dan in Ashigaru-te Shuri-Ryu by the WTMAA, and to Go Dan in Yamatora Ryu Combatives. Under a board of 9 judges, including, but not limited to Grandmaster Craig Hamm, Grandmaster Kirk Van DeGrift, and Kyoshi Sherwin Moore. (WTMAA Certificate #WTMAA3830520190022)
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2009 -January 1st- Assigned as a leader in the Pacific Rim Origins Martial Art Alliance by Shihan John Mayer.
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2019 - March - Joined the Tenbukan Bujitsu Renmei
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2019 - May- Recognized by the Tenbukan Bukitsu Renmei as a Go Dan (5th Degree) In Ashigaru-Te Shuir-Ryu Karate-Do. Awarded the title of Renshi.
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2023 -June- Assumed Leadership of the Academy of Okinawan Karate of Texas after the passing in March of his father (and the only person Sensei Walker has ever called HIS Sensei, Joseph W. Walker Sr.) 
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2023 -August 4th- Promoted to Roku Dan (6th Degree Black Belt) by the Tenbukan, and awarded the title of Kyoshi.


    Sensei Joseph Walker II began his journey in the martial arts sometime in 1977 with his father and Sensei, Shihan Joseph W. Walker Sr. He started at a little dojo, in Peoria, Illinois. A dojo that would grow to great size, producing many world champions and expand to several locations in multiple states.
 
    As Sensei Walker grew, he trained with his father (Shihan Walker) mostly in the summer and on various breaks from school during the year. Normally during the summer, he was in every class Monday through Thursday and all-day Saturday.  Competition in the 80's was frequent and he traveled all over the country with his father to compete.
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    Shihan Walker was a devoted and dedicated follower of Grandmaster Robert A. Trias. And karate was his passion. From him, Sensei Walker learned the core of his Martial Arts. Karate, Judo, Kobudo. Those were the big three from a man (Shihan Walker) who dedicated his life to martial arts. However, it was Shuri-Ryu that was his greatest passion.
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    As an adult, Sensei Walker continued to train with his father. Shihan Walker was ABSOLUTELY the best Sensei around. Sadly, Shihan Joseph W Walker Sr. passed on March 20, 2023. This was a great loss for martial arts in general and for the Academy of Okinawan Karate specifically. 
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     As an adult Sensei Walker trained at various places. Different instructors in Jiu-jitsu, judo, various styles of Karate and Kenpo martial arts, as well as combining the skills he learned into Mixed Martial Arts. (Fighting in the MMA cage with all fights being at age 39 and over) He trained all over the country, attending and teaching at seminars too numerous to count. He trained with multiple people., and found something from every one of them worth adding to his own particular style.
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     Sensei Walker continues to expand his martial arts knowledge. Studying wherever and whenever he can. His focus is to continuously improve. "I only care about teaching my students and expanding my own knowledge." He tells people "I think like this... What did I know 6 months ago, what do I know now, and what do I want to know in the next 6 months?"
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   Sensei Walker's most fervent hope is to continue to grow, expand, and teach martial arts for the rest of his life. "It is a dream, a calling, and something that I praise God that I get to do."
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