Sheree Adams Kyoshi started training in Kobayashi in 1975.  She achieved shodan in 1982. At that time, the head of her system strongly encouraged her to meet Vern Brooks, a Shihan under O’Sensei Shimabukuro. That led to her becoming his student, switching to Shobayashi, and starting her own dojo later that year. During the 80’s she ran a commercial dojo and was very active in the tournament scene in Vancouver, BC and the Pacific Northwest. Vern Brooks was friends with Dan Anderson and Fred King and she regularly supported their tournaments. She was also a good friend of Pat McCarthy, Frank Clayton, and Jon Funk and supported their tournaments and endeavors in Vancouver. She was rated #2 in kumite in Canada by Karate Illustrated during those years.

The first time Adams Kyoshi trained with O’Sensei was in 1984. In 1999 O'Sensei entrusted her to record and produce an instructional set of videos and DVDs for him and record his historical information, some of which can be accessed through toyei.com.

In 2005 Adams Kyoshi was awarded 7^th dan and her Kyoshi license.

Seminar: TBA

Possible topics:

§         Take Downs

Silvio Azzolini, M.D.

1975 – 1979:  Started martial arts training in Brazil in 1975, style Shipal Gue (Korean Kung Fu) under Master In Chul Park, attaining the degree of black belt.

1993 – 2001:  Attended medical school in Guadalajara, Mexico and practice as a physician in that city.  Also continued self training of Shaolin Kung Fu.  In 1997 obtained nomination for 5^th degree black sash and degree of Master Instructor by the Taipei Chinese Kung Fu Association.

Now, aspiring for new horizons within the martial arts, began the studies of Japanese Karate under the guidance of Smoger Sensei and the Okinawan Karate Club of Dallas.

Seminar:  Self defense concepts and strategies useful for all martial arts styles

Historical Fact:  Okinawan Karate (Shorin Ryu) came from Shaolin Kung Fu.  Additionally, Kankan Toyama Sensei spent many years studying martial arts in China.  Look for our Okinawan training roots during Sifu's workshop.

Christian Bellina Renshi began to study Shudokan Karatedo more than 20 years ago. His main teacher, motivator and mentor, Reinhold Hirsch, was and is an outstanding master student of Ichikawa Isao Hanshi.

For Bellina Sensei, Karatedo was always much more than just punching and kicking. From the very beginning it was important for him to look under the surface, the hidden side of our art. He tried to enrich his technical training by searching the historical and philosophical side of Karatedo. He has done extensive research in the history of Dai Shihan Toyama, especially his life, his teaching methods and the legacy passed on to his students. Over the last two decades he has done several trips to Japan, where he met Toyamas son Hatoyama Hiroshi and trained under some of Toyama Senseis students.

These trips gave him the opportunity to train and talk with the old masters. They helped him to get a better understanding for the "Shudokan puzzle" and finally gave him an outstanding knowledge within Shudokan history.

In his seminars he will be teaching all the aspects of Toyamas Orthodox Karatedo:  kata, bunkai-jutsu, and kobudo.

In his workshops, Bellina Sensei will be assisted by his long-time training partner Martin Guggi Sensei.

Seminar: TBA

Possible topics:

Historical Fact:  Toyama Kanken Sensei gave Shimabukuro O'Sensei's Judan, 10th degree, dan certificate.  Shudokan is one of the recognized systems of Toyama Sensei's teaching.  The 13 original katas of Shudokan are the same as the Shobayashi Shorin Ryu System (all the Shuri te katas)

Additionally, O'Sensei's certificates originally were all scripted with "All Japan Karate-do International League", Okinawa General Headquarters, until the early 1980's when O'Sensei formed his own organization and changed his certificates. Toyama Sensei was the founder of  the All Japan Karate-do International League.

Christensen Sensei has a very diverse martial arts background.  She has trained in Tae Kwon Do, Aikido and Shudokan Karate, but she currently restricts her training and teaching to Shorin Ryu karate, traditional Okinawan Kobudo and Toyei Torite Jujitsu.  Christensen Sensei's training and rank of 6th degree black belt comes directly from Shimabukuro Eizo O'Sensei, 10th dan of Okinawa, Japan.

Christensen Sensei started the Okinawan Karate Club of Ann Arbor (OKCAA) in 1980 as an official sports club of the University of Michigan. After 10 years, OKCAA moved to a dance studio in order to offer classes to those outside the university community.  In 1998, a children's program was added in addition to the adult women's program. 

In addition to starting the Okinawan Karate Club of Ann Arbor, she has several dojos that she supervises and supports, including, the Okinawan Karate Club of Dallas. 

Christensen Sensei is also one of the founders of the National Women's Martial Arts Federation (NWMAF). The yearly special training that the NWMAF sponsors attracts over 500 female martial artists worldwide. 

Seminar:  TBA

Historical Fact: Christensen Sensei was one of the first women to receive the shodan rank in O'Sensei's Shobayashi Shorin Ryu Karatedo.

Christensen Sensei has hosted O'Sensei in the United States for training on many occasions starting in 1984 and spanning over the last 20 years.

Under Christensen's foundation and continued guidance, OKC karateka are building a nationwide reputation for excellent skills in Okinawan Karate & Kobudo.

Sean is a technical services architect for Intel Corporation, where he focuses on the strategic direction of its worldwide Windows infrastructure. He is an MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for directory services, a distinction awarded by Microsoft to only 70 professionals in the world.  He is also a Contributing Editor for Windows IT Pro Magazine, the author of articles and a book on Microsoft's Windows 2000 & 2003 Server operating systems, and speaks at conferences both nationally and internationally on the topic.

Seminar:  Kobudo-Tonfa basics and Yara Gwa Tonfa

Yara Gwa is a beautiful, flowing kata from the Yamane Ryu system of kobujutsu.

Kelley Sensei began his martial arts training in 1980 in Kent, Ohio, with Sensei Bill Marcum, who at that time held the rank of Godan, 5th dan black belt in Isshinryu, Karate-do, awarded by  Shimabukuro Kichiro O'Sensei, nephew of Shimabukuro Eizo O'Sensei. In the late 80’s, Kelley Sensei  studied with Steve Zeleznikar Sensei, at that time a Sandan, 3rd dan black belt in Shorinken Karate-do. Kelley Sensei continued his study of Okinawan Karate-do in 1990 with Ilene J. Smoger Sensei.  Smoger Sensei had considerable training under Sensei Karl Scott III and Garrick (Gary) Hu Sensei. Both Hu Sensei and Scott Sensei trained under Dr. Herbert Wong. Smoger Sensei continued her training with Barbara Christensen Sensei from Ann Arbor, Michigan.  OKC Atlanta has the support of both Christensen Sensei and Smoger Sensei, who continues to be Kelley Sensei's primary instructor today.  In 2004, Kelley Sensei earned the ranks of Godan in Shorin Ryu and Shudokan Karatedo and Sandan in Toei Jujitsu. 

Kelley Sensei is a principle in the firm of Blue Sky Exhibits. 

Seminar:  Sparring Workshop

Brian McCauley, Sempai of the dojo, joined the Okinawan Karate Club of Dallas in 1986, where he began his training in the martial arts. McCauley Sensei was awarded the rank of shodan in Shorin Ryu and Shudokan karate in 1989. Since then, he has taught the adult classes at Okinawan Karate Club of Dallas and currently teaches an intermediate class. He also gives special seminars at the club with a particular interest in teaching bunkai.  McCauley Sensei currently holds the rank of Godan in Shobayashi Shorin Ryu and  Shudokan karatedo.

McGregor Hanshi has been studying martial arts for over 30 years. A world class competitor, she has been a NASKA champion, winning such prestigious tournaments such as the US Open more than once. She was member of the USA WKO World Team. As a member of the USA team  McGregor Hanshi  medalled in her events at the Pan Am Games in addition to medalling in the USA AAU Nationals and WKO World Championships. Over her career,  McGregor Hanshi as won several hundred competitive matches

While she is well known for her sport karate career, she is even more respected her self-defense and combat martial arts abilities.  McGregor Hanshi is a sought-after guest instructor world-wide, teaching traditional and modern combat techniques, fighting and self-defense.

Featured on Ripley's Believe It or Not TV program; Featured on Discovery Channel's Way of the Warrior; Featured on The learning Channel's Top Ten Martial Arts;  Keynote speaker and instructor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Guest speaker; and instructor for the Meeting of the Masters Conference.

Currently McGregor Hanshi is the Division Head for Juko-Kai International's Shorin-Ryu Division and for Pachivas Pankration's Women's Division.  She is also an adjunct professor teaching fitness, kickboxing, self defense and martial arts classes at Valencia Community College

Seminars: 

Sparring Forms & Footwork

Self-Defense

Ilene J. Smoger Sensei has been training since 1975, holds the rank of  Rokudan, 6th dan black belt, given to her directly by Eizo Shimabukuro O'Sensei in the Shorin Ryu Karate system. O'Sensei also awarded her the rank of Sandan, 3rd dan black belt, in Toei Jujutsu. Smoger Sensei also holds the rank of Godan, 5th dan black belt, in the Shudokan Karate system given directly  to her by Shibucho Walter Todd when he was alive.  Recently, she was awarded Shichidan, 7th dan black belt, in Shudokan Karate by the Todd family at the expressed wishes of the late Shibucho Walter Todd.

Smoger Sensei began her martial arts training in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1975 under Gary Hu Sensei, the Director of Training at the Asian Martial Arts Studio.  She was also instructed there by Karl Scott III Sensei, who is currently  the Co-Shibucho in the U.S. Shudokan Karatedo system.  Smoger Sensei continued her training with Barbara Christensen Sensei from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Smoger Sensei was Christensen Sensei's first student.  Barbara Christensen Sensei continues to be Smoger Sensei's primary instructor.

Smoger Sensei teaches martial arts all over the country. She has instructed at the 1996 Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA) and at the 2003, 2005 and 2006 Association of Women Martial Arts Instructor's (AWMAI) conferences. In 1997 she was honored by the World Martial Arts Hall Of Fame as "The Woman Of The Year In The Martial Arts".  In 2004, she received the Sensei of Merit award at the International Martial Arts Symposium in South Carolina.

Under Smoger Sensei's leadership, OKCD is one of Dallas' oldest traditional dojos and the Club has promoted over 46 black belts over the years.  Additionally, there are five affiliated dojos with OKCD in the cities of Atlanta, Arlington, Denton, Highland Village and San Francisco. 

Smoger Sensei is a personal injury attorney at the Smoger Law Firm. 

Smoger Sensei will be assisted by John Mascio Sensei and her other OKCD yudansha.

Seminar: Weapon's Seminar Nitan Bo

Nitan Bo, a unique weapon meaning two-short sticks, is a weapon from Okinawa, Japan. It is part of the traditional Okinawan Kobudo or ancient weapons system.  Smoger Sensei learned a Nitan Bo kata from Douglas Perry Kyoshi of the Shorinkan system who learned the kata from OSensei's brother, Tatsuo Shimabukuro Hanshi.  

Dr. Herbert Z. Wong's first exposure to the martial arts  occurred in the Chinese schools he attended as a young boy in San Francisco's Chinatown. Martial arts were taught as part of the cultural arts curriculum and on an ad hoc basis at Chinese community centers. In 1959, Wong Sensei began his formal martial arts training in Shudokan karate-do with Walter E. Todd Sensei at the International Judo, Karate and Aikido School. He was one of the first group of students at the school to earn a black belt in karate, which he received in 1961. He continued to train diligently and was awarded his second dan in 1963.

The United States Army drafted Dr. Wong in 1963 and sent him to Okinawa. During that time, he began training with Shimabukuro Eizo O'Sensei in Shobayashi Shorin Ryu karate-do. Throughout the time he was in Okinawa, Wong Sensei managed to train almost every single day. Because of this dedication and his previous experience, Dr. Wong earned his black belt in Shorin Ryu near the end of 1964. He was awarded his second dan in August of 1965, which was shortly before he finished his military service and returned to the United States.

After returning from Okinawa, Dr. Wong resumed his undergraduate studies at San Francisco State University and continued to practice Shorin Ryu. In 1965, he started the Asian Martial Arts School in San Francisco with Andrew Chan Sensei. He also began training in Sil-Lum Hung Gar (Tiger-Crane) kung fu under Master Y.C. Wong in San Francisco that same year.  Dr. Wong continued to train with Master Wong and teach at the Asian Martial Arts School until he left the San Francisco Bay area to pursue his graduate studies.

In September of 1970, Dr. Wong started in the doctoral program at The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. While simultaneously pursuing his doctorate degrees in clinical and organizational psychology, he was also teaching classes in Okinawan karate-do and Chinese kung fu. In the beginning, Dr. Wong accepted only four students, including Karl W. Scott III Sensei and Gary Hu Sensei.

In 1974, Hu Sensei and Scott Sensei opened a school in Ann Arbor. This school has continued to exist since that time and is now known as the Asian Martial Arts Studio.

Dr. Wong received a number of promotions over the years and was awarded his eighth dan in 2005. He was also awarded the title of Shihan ("Full Professor" or "Teaching Model") by Shimabukuro O'Sensei. Additionally, Dr. Wong has received the his 8th Dan, Shihan, Shudokan Martial Arts Association (SMAA). 

Dr. Wong trained with  Shimabukuro Eizo Hanshi since 1963 which may make him the longest standing student in continuous study, practice, and teaching under Shimabukuro O'Sensei.   Dr. Wong may also be Walter E. Todd Shihan's longest standing student in continuous study, practice, and teaching (from 1959 to 1999 when he passed away). 

In 1993, Dr. Wong moved to Boston, Massachusetts where he continues to run his consulting business that specializes in management consulting and organizational development.

Seminar: TBA

Possible topics:

--1.  Fighting Strategies of Chotoku Kiyan -- The Distance, Speed, Time, and Power Equation

--2.  Minimal Contact Throwing Techniques:  Throwing Your Opponents at Arms-Distance

--3.  Walter E. Todd as "Grand Master" -- His Synthesis of the Asian Martial Arts

--4.  Extracting the Practical Karate Secrets from "The Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Mushashi

--5.  Happy Hour History - Lecture on Shorin Ryu and Shudokan history