Article Contributed on: 7/10/2007 10:23:37 PM
July 5 through 8, Martial artists from all over the United States, Canada, and Europe met in Chicago to participate in seminars and workshops and to compete in the empty-hand and weapons forms and sparring of Isshinryu Karate at the American Okinawan Karate Association's World Championships.
A group from American Isshinryu Karate Schools in Thornton included Master Instructor John Holwager, Sensei Mary Holwager and black belt Eric Cohen, along with green belt Brandy Cohen and purple belts James Linse and Michael Marrujo. They were joined by a student of Sensei Holwager's, Sensei Scott Brady, and one of his students, brown belt Michael Julander of Monroe, Utah.
The group assisted Sensei Holwager in teaching a workshop on a two-man weapons form, and attended seminars on applications of empty-hand forms and a traditional Okinawan weapon, the tanbo.
During Saturday's competition, Eric Cohen won second place in empty-hand and weapons forms, and third in sparring in the men's black belt division; Michael Marrujo won second in empty-hand forms and sparring in the men's intermediate division; and Michael Julander won third in sparring in the sixteen and seventeen year old advanced division.