I.W.K.A. Sensei Profiles
Sensei Kichiro Shimabuku
Rank: Ju Dan
(10th), Hanshi, Current Headmaster of the I.W.K.A.
Began Training: as
a very young child
Martial Arts Achievements:
Current headmaster
of the Isshin-Ryu System.
Founded the
Isshin-Ryu Kokusai Karate-Do Renmei (Isshin-Ryu World Karate
Association) in 1974
Other Achievements:
Graduated from
Business College in Tokyo with a business degree in 1968
* the above information was provided by "IsshinRyu Karate-Do" by David D. Evseeff & Milledge Murphey, PhD.
Sensei John Lennox
Mr. Lennox's introduction to unarmed self-defense came in World
War II.
His earlier training as a gymnast prepared him for his role as
instructor of unarmed self-defense to assault troops and Rangers.
After
W.W. II, Mr. Lennox began studying Judo, Isshin-Ryu Karate and
Hapkido.
He studied Isshin-Ryu under Clarence Ewing who was taught by
Tatsuo
Shimabuku. Mr. Lennox actually earned his black belt in Judo
before
earning his black belt in Isshin-Ryu. He soon decided to focus
his
training towards karate rather than splitting his energy between
the two
different martial arts.
Mr. Lennox had been the head instructor at the Mudokwan for over
25
years and was in Isshin-Ryu for approximately 38 years. He
attained the rank of Hachi-Dan
under Kichiro Shimabuku, current headmaster of Isshin-Ryu.
In 1983, the
Mudokwan hosted the Isshin-Ryu International
Tournament. Mr. Lennox has written two books, "Isshin-Ryu
Karate" and
"Weapons of Isshin-Ryu".
Sensei John passed away October 30, 1998 of a massive heart
attack.
We lost not only a great Sensei, but a great man.
Sensei John E. Hughes
Rank: 7th Dan, Renshi-Go
Began Training:
November 1973
Trained with: Sensei
Dale Jenkins, Sensei Ben Lapinski, Sensei Walter VanGilsen,
Sensei William H. Duessel
Martial Arts Achievements:
Promoted to 7th Dan in 2002
Hosts an annual
benefit karate tournament in April (since 1986) for Cancer
research. Proceeds have contributed to 9 additional charities for
the past 13 years
Awarded the
American Okinawan Karate Association Hall of Fame Award for
Humanitarian Activities.
Host of the 1999 Isshin-Ryu World
Karate Championships
Occupation: Literature Teacher at Hackettstown High School (since 1970)
Other Achievements:
Certified athletic
trainer (since 1970)
Was director of
athletics at Hackettstown High School (1974-1996)
Website:
Email:
Sensei Michael Calandra
Rank: Shichi Dan (7th), Kyoshi-Go
Began Training: April 1979
Martial Arts Achievements:
President of the International
Sosuishitsu-Ryu Jujutsu Association
Promoted to Shichi Dan in Isshin-Ryu
May 2007
Became disciple of Master Chen
Zhonghua in Chen Style Taiji Dec 2003.
Promoted to San Dan in Matayoshi
Kobudo July 2002.
Promoted to Roku Dan in Isshin-Ryu
June 2001.
Certified Instructor in
Sosuishitsu-Ryu Jujutsu, April 1998
Promoted to San Dan in Shindo
Muso Ryu Jodo March 1998.
Promoted to Sho Dan in Muso Shinden
Ryu Iaido 1985.
Led I.W.K.A. Demonstration of
Sunsu Kata at the Okinawa Karate & Kobudo World
Tournament commemmorating the dedication of the Okinawa Budokan
Demonstrated Sosuishitsu-Ryu Jujutsu
at the Official Okinawan Immigrant 100th Anniversary Karate-Kobudo Tournament
Has taught numerous martial arts
and law enforcement seminars throughout the United States
Has trained in Japan in 1992,
1994, 1996, 1997, and 1998.
Occupation:
New York City
Police Officer
Chief Instructor of
the Okinawan Isshin Ryu Karate Dojo in Bellerose, Queens
Other Achievements:
Graduated F.B.I.
Defensive Tactics Instructor's School 1990
Graduated F.B.I.
Officer's Survival School 1991
Graduated N.Y.P.D.
Auto Crime School 1997
F.B.I. Service in
the Public Interest Award 1987
Alumni Achievement
Award from New York City Technical College 1984
Rotary Club
Distinguished Service Citation 1996
Police Officer of
the Month November 1996
N.Y.P.D. Transit
Bureau Brooklyn Borough Commander's Award 1996, 1997
Other Martial Arts Studied:
Yagyu-Shinkage Ryu
Kendo
Judo
Escrima
Aikido
Naginata Do
Qi-Gong
Other Websites:
Email:
Sensei Heidi Gauntner
Rank:Renshi Go Heidi Gauntner,
Go-Dan
Began Training: September 1982
Martial Arts Achievements:
2005 IWKA World Championship Tournament
host
July17th 2004 Induction into the
U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
April 17,2004 Induction into the
Ohio Black Belt Hall Of Fame
2003 Female Sensei of the Year
for the O.I.K.K.A. Hall of Fame
2003 Female Grand Champion in Weapons
and Kata (Isshinryu Hall Of Fame)