Athens Karate School

Traditional Okinawan Karate

Congratulations to our new Black Belts!!!

November 15th was the day for the first annual Athens Karate School Black Belt Testing and Cook-out and what a day it was.  There were 15 people testing, all of whom were at least a brown belt prior to testing in front of a panel comprised of almost 200 years of karate experience.  The board was comprised of the following instructors:

· Sensei John Shipes, 7th Dan Shihan, Chief Instructor of the Athens Karate School and US Director of the AOSKKF/OSMKKF

· Sensei Mike Jackson, 5th Dan Renshi, Shotokan karate, Chief Instructor of the American Shotokan Karate Academy, Killeen, Texas

· Sensei Thomas Ashley, 5th Dan, Chief Instructor of the Buffalo Shorinryu Karate Academy, Buffalo, Texas

· Sensei Frank Lemacks, 4th Dan, Shorinryu Kenshinkan

· Sensei Bill Hathorn, 4th Dan, Shorinjiryu Karate, Chief Instructor of Hathorn’s Karate Dojo in Alexandria, Louisiana

· Sensei Vic Inmon, 4th Dan, Judo, Chief Judo Instructor for the Tyler Kenshinkan Dojo, Tyler, Texas

Following close to 3 hours of testing, everyone adjourned to the home of Dr. Dan and Leslie Bywaters for a cookout with lots of help from Leslie’s Mom and sister, and Denise and Mike Garner and all who brought dishes with lots of burgers and chicken and lots of good comraderie. 

Thanks to all of you who helped make our 2008 Black Belt Testing a very special event.  Most especially, thanks to my friend, Sensei Frank Lemacks for making the trip while recuperating from a treatment to sit on our testing board.

Thanks Mom for coming to watch what I do and thanks to Linda and Austin Shipes for bringing her.  It meant so much to me that you guys came.

Congratulations to our new black belts and keep up the good work.  You did an awesome job on your promotion exam and I am very proud of you all…….John Shipes

The following certifications were awarded:

· Sensei Pat Wilson, Yondan, Instructor, Athens Karate School. Athens, Texas

· Mr. Mike Veillon, Sandan, my student and chief instructor of the Shorinbujitsu Karate Dojo, Pineville, Louisiana

· Mr. Nathan Batson, Sandan, my student and chief instructor of the Tyler Kenshinkan Karate Dojo, Tyler, Texas

· Mr. Buddy Masters, Nidan, my student and Chief Instructor of the Central Arkansas Kenshinkan Dojo, Cabot, Arkansas

· Mr. Jack Endres, Shodan, my student, Athens, Texas

· Mrs. Mary Endres, Shodan, my student, Athens, Texas

· Mr. Scott Endres, Shodan, my student, Athens, Texas

· Mr. George Grayson, Shodan, Sensei Thomas Ashley’s student, Buffalo, Texas

· Mr. Dennis “Joe” Masters, Shodan, Student of Mr. Buddy Masters, Cabot, Arkansas

· Ms. Juanita Vazquez, Shodan Jr Grade, Sensei Thomas Ashley’s student, Buffalo, Texas

· Mr. Jonathan Bywaters, Shodan Jr grade, my student, Athens, Texas

· Mr. Sam Hathorn, 1st kyu, student and son of Sensei Bill Hathorn of Alexandria, La

· Mr. Paschall Wilson, 1st kyu, my student and son of Sensei Pat Wilson, Athens, Texas

· Mr. Osbaldo Conde, 2nd kyu, student of Mr. Nathan Batson, Tyler, Texas

· Mr. Zif Clark, 2nd kyu, student of Sensei Bill Hathorn, Alexandria, Louisiana

Additionally, 3 very special presentations were awarded:

(Tomodachi Society Certificates are for recognition to a friend in the martial arts who is not a member of our association but is a good friend to the presenter)

· Tomodachi Society Certificate presented to Sensei Mike Jackson

· Tomodachi Society Certificate presented to Sensei Vic Inmon

· A special Nidan certificate and promotion was presented by me to Mr. Pete Roberts (accepted by Sensei Mike Jackson) for his dedication and loyalty to Master Kise’s system and the Athens Karate School.  Pete could not attend for health reasons.  We wish him well for a speedy and complete recovery.  Our hearts and prayers are with you, my friend.

To contact us:

 

Visit us at:

 

8650 St Hwy 19 South

Athens, Texas 75751

 

Phone:  903-675-3229

Email:   JRShipes@athenskarate.com or JRShipes@aol.com