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Phil Little
Karate School
United We Stand
U.S.I.K.A Teams Sweep National Karate Tournament
Members of the newly formed United States Isshinryu Karate Association competed and were victorious at the weekend’s Isshinryu Hall of Fame Tournament. The tournament, held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center on Saturday, August 14th, is the largest gathering of Isshinryu Karate-ka worldwide, with approximately 400 contenders competing in Kata (forms), Kumite (sparring, or fighting) and Weapons.
Placing first in the team competition was the Phil Little Karate School of Anderson, South Carolina, led in points by Super Junior Tice Welburn, who won his division in all three categories, gaining his team an unprecedented "Triple Crown" win. The pinnacle of the event culminated with the Grand Championship Finale of the Tournament. Winning the Kata Grand Championship and Overall Grand Championship was Sensei Peter Keko, Chief Instructor of the Keko Academy of Martial Arts in Roane County, Tennessee, whose individual team also placed 4th in the team competition. The Men’s Kumite Grand Championship was won by lightening-fast Sensei Lee Sloan, co-owner and instructor of the Academy of Martial Arts in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Says Sloan’s instructor Sensei Doyle Seiber, "Lee is a good clean fighter who uses his head. He also demonstrates great sportsmanship and integrity, which he instills in our students at AMA!"
The schools mentioned above are all members of the United States Isshinryu Karate Association, formed by Master Phil Little less than a year ago. This new association, with the mission of furthering Isshinryu Karate as founded by Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku and taught by Grandmaster Harold G. Long, had a showing of 100 karate practitioners at the Tournament representing dojo’s from around the country. The many individual victories coupled with the success of the dojo teams proved formidable at the Tournament. "We trained together, supported each other, and proved to be a competitive power-house in the world of Isshinryu Karate," said President and founder Phil Little. "The U.S.I.K.A. represents the future ideals of Isshinryu."
For additional information regarding the Isshinryu Hall of Fame, see their web site located at www.isshinryu.nxs.net
For additional information regarding the United States Isshinryu Karate Association, see their web site located at www.usika.com