The weekend of August 4-5, 2006, was another memorable one for the Karate Five
family. The Isshinryu Hall of Fame (IHOF) banquet on Friday night was devoted to
fellowship and awards. The Karate Five Dojo was recognized as The Dojo of the
Year. We thank the IHOF Board of Directors for this recognition. The highlight
of the evening was the induction of three masters into the Hall of Fame…Karen
Bronson (Deceased); Tom Lewis, Cody, WY; and Albert Maddy, Windsor, Ontario,
Canada. The final recognition of the evening was the assembly of all the
inductees on one stage. That brought together the most notable individuals in
the Isshinryu family. The Karate Five was well represented among that group of
high-powered Isshinryu Masters. An announcement by Master Toby Cooling that he
will be stepping down from the IHOF Board caught the attendees by surprise. He
will be missed, and we wish him well.
Competition on Saturday morning started at 9:30 a.m. Some 400 competitors
represented the major Isshinryu organizations. This included several karatekas
from the Karate Five Dojo. In addition, members of the Karate Five family served
as officials in the competition arenas. Through the efforts of the IHOF Chairman
Tim McGhee, the tournament and banquet were well organized and very well
managed. Tournament results will be fully covered by the IHOF web page. This
brief write-up is intended to reflect Karate Five’s participation in, and
support for, the IHOF.
Last but not least, it sure was nice to see and be with many of the Isshinryu
Masters from all over the U.S and Canada. Many of them worked unselfishly on the
floor from the start in the morning to the last event in the evening. There was
an air of respect and brotherhood among all present. The IHOF is truly the one
event that brings together all the Isshinryu organizations and, for one
weekend, unites Isshinryu.
Saturday evening after the tournament, Master Shaffer awarded Master Melbert Lee Sr
a DRAGONS FOR EVER TAB.
Master Shimabuku’s dream lives on… ISSHINRYU…ONE HEART.
|
