Joseph W. Walker
Encyclopedia
Joseph W. Walker is a Chief Instructor of Shuri-ryū
karate
, the 1970 Midwest Karate Champion, and a two-time United States Karate Alliance World Champion (1990 and 1991) in the Koshiki, or sparring in armor, division. Walker also took 2nd place in the USKA Masters Black Belt Kata division in 1992.
Shihan Walker trained in karate under Shuri-ryu founder Grand Master Robert A Trias
starting in 1969 and was the first black belt promoted under Trias's new Shuri-ryu standards in 1973. He is currently an 8th Dan (8th degree black belt) under Hanshi Robert Bowles
and serves on the International Shuri-ryu Association Council alongside Milt Calander (7th Dan), John Linebarger (7th Dan), Tony Bisanz (7th Dan), and Sandra Bowles (8th Dan).
Walker opened the Academy of Okinawan Karate in Peoria in 1979. In 1997, the Academy was named one of the top 200 martial arts schools in North America. The Academy continues to operate with three dojos in Peoria, Morton, and Eureka, Illinois.
Shihan Walker started his martial arts training in Judo
in 1960, and started studying karate under students of Trias in 1968. He made his first trip to Phoenix, AZ to study under Trias directly in 1969. Trias awarded Walker a black belt in Judo in 1987, and Walker earned a 2nd degree black belt in Judo in 1993. Walker toured Okinawa with the USKA in 1982, and returned to Okinawa to compete in the World Team Competition with the International Shuri-ryu Association in 1994. The US took 5th place that year.
Shuri-ryu
karate, is an eclectic martial arts system developed by Robert Trias , the first person to teach karate in the mainland United States, who opened the first dojo in 1946 in Phoenix, Arizona. Later in 1948 he formed the first karate association in the U.S., The United States Karate Association...
karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, the 1970 Midwest Karate Champion, and a two-time United States Karate Alliance World Champion (1990 and 1991) in the Koshiki, or sparring in armor, division. Walker also took 2nd place in the USKA Masters Black Belt Kata division in 1992.
Shihan Walker trained in karate under Shuri-ryu founder Grand Master Robert A Trias
Robert Trias
Robert A. Trias was a U.S. karate pioneer, founding the first karate school in the mainland United States. He also developed Shuri-ryū karate, an eclectic style with roots in the Okinawan Shuri-te tradition.-Early years:...
starting in 1969 and was the first black belt promoted under Trias's new Shuri-ryu standards in 1973. He is currently an 8th Dan (8th degree black belt) under Hanshi Robert Bowles
Robert Bowles
Robert Bowles is an American Karate teacher and the founder of the International Shuri-Ryu Association. Bowles is a member of the United States Karate Alliance Hall Of Fame.Bowles has studied martial arts for over 35 years...
and serves on the International Shuri-ryu Association Council alongside Milt Calander (7th Dan), John Linebarger (7th Dan), Tony Bisanz (7th Dan), and Sandra Bowles (8th Dan).
Walker opened the Academy of Okinawan Karate in Peoria in 1979. In 1997, the Academy was named one of the top 200 martial arts schools in North America. The Academy continues to operate with three dojos in Peoria, Morton, and Eureka, Illinois.
Shihan Walker started his martial arts training in Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
in 1960, and started studying karate under students of Trias in 1968. He made his first trip to Phoenix, AZ to study under Trias directly in 1969. Trias awarded Walker a black belt in Judo in 1987, and Walker earned a 2nd degree black belt in Judo in 1993. Walker toured Okinawa with the USKA in 1982, and returned to Okinawa to compete in the World Team Competition with the International Shuri-ryu Association in 1994. The US took 5th place that year.