Locals Bring Home the Gold, Silver and Black
GARNER, North Carolina (January 20, 2010)
- Instructors and students from JKO Karate in Garner participated in the 37th Annual JKO Masters Seminars and Championships held on January 16-17 in San Diego, California. Held at the San Diego Convention Center, this international event has drawn competitors, officials and VIPs from as far away as Italy and from organizations as notable as the World Karate Federation and USA Karate.
This year’s featured seminar on Saturday was taught by Hanshi Minobu Miki, head of the Japan Karate-do Organization. Hanshi Miki came to the United States from Japan in 1966 and founded the JKO in 1972 at the request of the Grandmaster in Japan. “We train hard and make sure to teach the tradition of karate-do,” Miki said. “Having studied under the founder’s son, it is important to me to teach my students what he taught me. This event is a big part of that.” Miki earned his 8th degree black belt and the title of Hanshi, senior master, from Soke Kenzo Mabuni, son and heir of the founder of Shito-Ryu, the style of karate Miki teaches. Miki was the first person in the world outside of the Mabuni family to do so.
Saturday afternoon also saw advanced black belt rank testing. Sensei Ed Craft, owner and senior instructor at the Garner club, earned his 4th degree black belt and the title of Shihan-dai, interim master teacher. With over forty clubs in ten countries across the world, there are currently only five 4th degree black belts in the JKO, and Craft is the third to earn the title of interim master. Craft said, “Being part of a truly international karate organization with a history as long as the JKO’s is great. Having Hanshi Miki invite me test was really a tremendous privilege. But to be awarded Shihan-dai and join that small, elite group of instructors was truly an honor.”
The tournament began Sunday morning as athletes, coaches and officials arrived eager to see long-time friends and compete. Sensei Henry Norris, 3rd degree black belt and assistant instructor at the Garner club, served as a ring controller and head referee, as did Craft. “Hanshi really puts on a great tournament. The quality of the competitors is second to none which makes for a great day, but everyone has a good time. The camaraderie throughout the organization is really refreshing,” Norris relates.
JKO Karate student Bill Bowden made the trip to San Diego for the event. 53 years old, Bowden won first place in the Executive Men’s Novice Forms division. “Training with Hanshi is always wonderful. Sensei getting new rank and title is cool too. But winning a gold medal to bring home is really the icing on the cake. What a great way to finish off an awesome trip,” he said. His son, Ford, also competed, winning second place in the 15-16 year old Boys Novice Forms division. “Competing really helps me to improve myself. I’m able to learn how to work under pressure as well as learn from my mistakes. I may not have won this time, but I know what to improve for the next one,” the silver medalist said.
New Addition to Elite Few
GARNER, North Carolina (February 1, 2010) – JKO Karate in Garner is pleased to announce one of its members has reached a tremendous personal milestone by earning his black belt on Friday, January 29th. “Most people will never set foot in a karate club, and many of those who do will never get a black belt,” said senior instructor Ed Craft. “This is really a great achievement.”
“To finally make black belt rank is a long time goal come true,” Holly Springs resident Tim Wewer said. “I know it’s just the start of another long road in my training, but I couldn’t have picked a better instructor and organization to help me along. To have instructors and students from other states willing to come and support me at my test says a lot about my fellow JKO members.” In addition to his teachers at JKO Karate in Garner, Wewer was able to train for his test with other instructors in the organization. Also helping him were the head of the JKO, Hanshi Minobu Miki of San Diego, California, JKO second-in-command Renshi Howard Smith of Bristol, Virginia, and master instructor Shihan Rob Alvelais of Mountain View, California – all of whom studied with and received rank from Kenzo Mabuni, son and heir of the founder of Shito Ryu Karate-Do. “I felt very prepared for my examination. Every class is a test,” the new black belt shared.
Wewer and his wife, Martha, moved to the area just over two and a half years ago from the outer banks for work. When asked why he would drive forty minutes one way past other martial arts schools to attend classes at JKO Karate, Wewer said, “This is the most challenging dojo I’ve ever trained at, both mentally and physically. Sensei Ed expects you to give 100% at every class. Every class is an opportunity to improve.”
Craft related that “Tim sets a great example for the other students. He shows them what dedication, persistence and humility look like. Tim demonstrates the quality and character of a JKO black belt. I’m really proud of him. I don’t think a better person could have presented themselves to be our club’s first black belt.” JKO Karate will celebrate another milestone, its three year anniversary, in March of this year with special events. To learn more, visit www.jkogarner.com or call (919)521-4438.
In the photo from left to right: Sensei Henry Norris, Tim Wewer, Sensei Ed Craft
JKO Karate in Garner is the only karate club in North Carolina affiliated with USA Karate and the US Olympic karate program. The club will celebrate its three year anniversary in March of this year with special events. To learn more, visit www.jkogarner.com or call (919)521-4438.
