Flint Johnson
Master Masutatsu Oyama
Grandmaster Chojin Miyagi
Grandmaster Gogen Yamaguchi
The system was founded in 1970 by Charles Warren, who had made use of his tour during the Vietnam War to study karate. He started his first school in downtown Milwaukee.
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This was during the most popular period of true karate, and Sensei's students were soon dominating the scene. They went to tournaments on the weekend and often into schools during the week challenging students in true traditional style.
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In 1979, he was transferred up to Hudson as part of his service to Wisconsin State Patrol. Enrollment began at the Hudson House and was later moved to the Middle School, then on Fourth St.
The next year, we moved into Pat Fletcher's studio in North Hudson. In August, three more people were promoted to black belt - Gary Klund, Pam Nord, and Flint Johnson. Gary Klund (second from the right, standing, at 40, was the oldest man ever to test for black belt. Pam Nord (sixth from the right) was the first white woman. At 11, Flint Johnson (the short one) was the youngest. 16 has always been the minimum acceptable age for testing for reasons of emotional maturity.
Greg Caruso, left on the before picture. Scott Lucas on the right.
With five instructors and plenty of students, we were able to expand the number of nights we taught, and with that the number of black belts in our school. In 1986 we promoted four additional people to black belt; Tim MacNamara, Shiloh Kistler, Nick Bender, and Sean Williams. Sensei Kistler was promoted at 15, while Senseis Williams and Bender were 14. However, they'd demonstrated such enthusiasm for learning and such unusually crisp technique for their age that they were also allowed to test early.
In 2006, Jason Hand was promoted to black belt. Sensei Hand had trained with us as a youth and returned in 2004 at 16 with a purple belt. He quickly adapted himself to the Kempo-Goju style. He has now finished up his service to the Air Force and is a regular instructor.
Next year, Steve Olson was promoted from our New Richmond school. He took over responsibilities for the school immediately, with Sensei Lucas coming over to help out on occasion.
In 1981, after a run-in with a local "karate" instructor who refused to partake in a tournament with a neutral referee, Mr. Warren opened up a school in New Richmond by popular demand.
He promoted his first two students to black belt in 1983. Scott Lucas, who would immediately take over as head instructor, and Greg Caruso.
In 20, Nicole Riemenschneider would earn her black belt.
In , Lisa and earned their black belts
In 19 , Enriqueta 16
In 2012 our two most recent dans were promoted, Randy Smith and Graham McManus.
