2010 Summer Camp
Hu-Kaicho Toyama and Hu-Kaicho Culbreth would like to thank everyone who attended this year's Summer Camp in Dothan, AL. Self-defense was covered in all groups throughout the day in addition to some great traditional karate training. At the end of the day, the kids had a great time using their basic kicks and punches on pinatas! If you missed it this year, make sure to add the Summer Camp to next year's vacation schedule! Thanks again for a great camp! Osu!
"The Way" now available online!
The official WYKKO newsletter, "The Way" is now available to view online and also for download in .pdf format! Simply click on the "Online Newsletter" tab to access the current newsletter and our archived copies as well!
2010 Price Changes
Beginning on April 1, 2010 new prices will be in effect for yearly WYKKO membership dues, kyu grade testings and Black Belt Testings. Yearly WYKKO membership dues will now be $50 for individuals, $75 for a family of 2, $95 for a family of 3, and $110 for families of 4 or more. Kyu grade testing fees are now $50 per person. Black Belt testing fees have been raised to $200 for Shodan, $225 for Nidan, $250 for Sandan, and $300 for Yondan (per individual). We understand that these are significant changes; however, we must point out that this is the first price increase in membership dues and testing fees in over 20 years, and we don't anticipate another increase for quite some time.
New documents containing these and other changes can be found in our "Documents" section. There you can find downloadable versions of these items in both MS Word and .pdf format.
2010 Schedule
The 2010 Event schedule has been released. Click here or click on the "Events" tab to see the full 2010 schedule!
2010 Kangeiko
Hu-Kaicho Toyama and Hu-Kaicho Culbreth would like to thank everyone who participated in this year's Winter Camp in Pensacola, FL! Over 100 people were present at the 30th annual Yoshukai Karate Winter Camp! The morning started out with basics and small group sessions on the chilly beach! By lunchtime, the sun came out and the afternoon sessions of Self-Defense, Movie Fighting, Point Fighting, Kickboxing, Full Contact Fighting, Sai Tai Bo/Bo Tai Bo, and Iaido went into full swing. After the seminars, there were many spirited Sumo matches, one-legged chicken fights, and tug of war matches. The day was capped off by a brisk training session in the frigid waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
This year's Kangeiko featured students and instructors from all over the United States including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Indiana, Texas, and California. A special thanks goes out to Shihan Gerry Blanck and his students for coming out all the way from Los Angeles, California. The WYKKO would also like to thank former Women's Kickboxing Champion and world reknowned stunt woman, Cheryl Wheeler for joining us from Austin, TX and also Shihan Mike Lilley from Indianapolis, IN. Special recognition goes out to Shihan John Selak a.k.a "Seadog" for arranging the delicious lunch buffet at Crab's and the after workout dinner and entertainment at Flounder's.
2009 Southern Region Open
This year marked the 30th annual Southern Region Open Tournament in Dothan, AL. Hu-Kaicho Toyama and Hu-Kaicho Culbreth would like to thank everyone involved who helped to make this yet another successful tournament. Special thanks go out to Mr. Bo Miller, Senpai Josh McCullars, Shihan-dai Fred Lecut, Shihan Diona Caroll, Shihan Mike Leverette, and Shihan Travis Page for their spectacular Yoshukai demonstrations. Also, thanks goes out to all the WYKKO Black Belts that participated in Kaicho's entrance and the group bo demonstration. In addition to WYKKO members, we had over 200 competitors from various other styles. Congratulations to our Grandchampion competitors Mr. Navin McGuiness and Shihan Sayaka (Katoh) McCullars. Special congratulations go to our tournament Grandchampions Mr. Greg Turnbull (Kata) and Ms. Jaime Hagler (Fighting).
This year's tournament featured many special guests from around the world. In attendance was the Grandmaster and Founder of Yoshukai Karate, Katsuoh Yamamoto. Travelling with him was Shihan Hiroshi Tsutsui, Senpai Megumi Shinohara, Mr. Masaki Yamamoto, Mr. Hidetoshi Oyama, Kentaro Wada, Ten Tanaka, Taishi Nakamura, and Seiya Nagashima. Also in attendance from Victoria, Canada was Mr. Greg Turnbull, Arlinn Ablaza, Matt Beren, and JoAnn Redublo. A special thanks goes to Mr. Patrick Paolozzi who travelled all the way from Germany. WYKKO members from all over the United States attended including Los Angeles, CA (Shihan Blanck and crew); Indianapolis, IN (Shihan Lilley); Granberry, TX (Shihan Taylor and crew); Miami, FL (Shihan Caroll); and New Mexico (Mr. Rick Smith).
High Ranking Promotions
On the Friday night before the tournament, there was a rank promotion ceremony for those who tested at the October Black Belt testing as well as for those receiving high ranking promotions. Congratulations to Shihan Gerry Blanck (7th dan); Shihan Tony Ellrod (6th dan); Shihan Jennifer McIntosh (6th dan); Shihan Byron Taylor (6th dan); Shihan Glenda Taylor (5th dan); and Senpai Lindsay Mattison (3rd dan). Osu!