Isshinryu Practitioners Building Comradery & Recognizing Master Tatsuo Shimabuku's Vision
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Since 1979

Award Recognition
Click on the category below to link to the nomination form and submission.
Nomination requirement details are listed within each nomination category.
Please review nomination requirements to confirm qualifications.
Nomination Deadline is 11:59pm on April 1, 2023
Young Karate-Ka 12 & Under
Male & Female
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A member of their dojo for 2 years.
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Outstanding dedication to his/her dojo.
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Dedication to the art of Isshinryu Karate.
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Is an example for other students.
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Assists their sensei whenever called upon.
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Contributes to the community beyond the dojo.
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Ages 12 & Under prior to April 1st
Young Karate-Ka Teen 13 - 17 Yrs
Male & Female
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A member of their dojo for 2 years.
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Outstanding dedication to his/her dojo.
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Dedication to the art of Isshinryu Karate.
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Is an example for other students.
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Assist their sensei whenever the opportunity presents itself.
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Contributes to the community beyond their dojo.
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Nominee should understand the qualities of honor, loyalty, and fortitude.
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Nominee should be examples of these qualities to their peers and others outside of their dojo.
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Ages 13 - 17 yrs prior to April 1st
Karate-Ka of the Year18 & Up
Male & Female
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A member of their dojo for 2 years.
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Outstanding dedication to his/her dojo.
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Dedication to the art of Isshinryu Karate.
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Is an example for other students.
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Assists their sensei whenever the opportunity presents itself.
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Contributes to the community beyond their dojo.
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Nominee should understand the qualities of honor, loyalty, and fortitude.
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Nominee should be examples of these qualities to their peers and others outside of their dojo.
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Age 18 or older prior to April 1st
Junior Competitor of the Year
Male & Female
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Has competed in Open and Isshinryu Tournaments throughout the year.
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Has competed in several tournaments during the calendar year.
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Has traveled & competed outside his / her home state during the calendar year.
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Individual portrays humbleness in victory, and graciousness in defeat.
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Although fiercely competitive, they set an example for other karate-ka inside and outside the ring by demonstrating the virtues of a true warrior.
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They are courteous to both ring officials and their competitors.
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Ages 17 yrs & under prior to April 1st
Competitor of the Year
Male & Female
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Has competed in Open & Isshinryu only Tournaments throughout the year.
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Has competed in several tournament during the calendar year.
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Has traveled & competed outside his/ her home state during the calendar year.
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In Addition:
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Individual portrays humbleness in victory, and graciousness in defeat.
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Although fiercely competitive, they set an example for other karate-ka inside and outside the ring by demonstrating the virtues of a true warrior.
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They are courteous to both ring officials and their competitors.
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Ages 18 yrs or older prior to April 1st
Instructor of the Year
Male & Female
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Should hold the rank of San Dan or higher.
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Has been an Instructor for at Ieast 5 years.
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Nominee should be an outstanding example of “one who has gone before.”
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Be a leader within and outside of his/her dojo.
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Be a living example of the qualities of honor, loyalty, and fortitude.
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Be a seeker of knowledge as well as an advocate of the knowledge he/she has gained in the martial arts.
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He/she should be an experienced sensei.
The Don Nagle
Sensei of Sensei Award
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Must be a Roku-Dan or higher.
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Must have at least 2 Generations of Students.
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Individual has been actively instructing black belt students for many years.
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Be an innovator, constantly working to improve their teaching methods.
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Teach students how to be a Sensei, thru hands-on experience and by setting an example.
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Sought knowledge in other areas outside Isshinryu.
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Lived a life that others want to emulate.
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Display character, honor, and courage that other people aspire to.
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Influence extending beyond the realm of the dojo and into the community.
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Be well respected by others outside of dojo from both in and outside the martial arts community.
Dojo of the Year
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Awarded to a group of Isshinryu practitioners who have worked as a team to promote Isshinryu in their community.
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Exemplify the family atmosphere that Isshinryu promotes; demonstrating team work as a unit, selflessly supporting each other.
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The group pulls together to help each other, and demonstrates how commitment to each other can make a dojo strong.
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The physical presence presents a positive impression to the community.
The Harold Long
Spirit of Isshinryu Award
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Be respected as an ambassador of Isshinryu.
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Traveled throughout the United States to promote the art of Isshinryu Karate.
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Shared their knowledge freely with practitioners both in and outside Isshinryu Karate.
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Worked to increase their personal knowledge of our art.
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Be living examples of honor, loyalty, and courage, and have not sacrificed their own integrity for the sake of notoriety.
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Rise to the occasion, serving in leadership, capacities for his/her Sensei of organization.
Induction into
The Isshinryu Hall of Fame
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Uninterrupted in Isshinryu Karate for at least 20 years.
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Roku-Dan or higher.
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Is or has been a Head Sensei of his / her own Dojo
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Traveled to promote Isshinryu Karate.
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Become well known as an ambassador of Isshinryu beyond the dojo and Isshinryu organization.
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Be well respected by non-martial artists as well as those within the martial arts community.
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Act in a non-political manner in promoting the unity of Isshinryu Karate, holding the cause of Isshinryu Karate above personal gain.
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Act in a modest manner in the eyes of their students or peers; never by disparaging others.
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Be one who has stepped forward and assumed the responsibilities of being in a leadership role when called upon.
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Demonstrates a high degree of personal integrity, dignity, and honor.
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Possess a demeanor and character will be a legacy to all members of the Isshinryu family.