Kosho School of Karate

After a lifetime dedicated to the martial arts, Sensei Awad passed away from an unexpected illness on Saturday, January 7th 2023. Sensei Awad was a Chief Instructor of Shuri Ryu Karate, a Karate world Champion, and founder of the Kosho School of Karate. Condolences to his family, friends, students, and all the people that he touched during his life. Sensei Awad was one of the few people that truly lived life HIS way. He will be missed, and remembered, by all that knew him.

Obituary Link. Michael E. Awad, beloved father of Dr. Michael Stegar, devoted brother of Richard T. Awad, Walter Awad, & the late Thomas F. Awad; dear uncle of Thomas F. Awad II, Richard E. Awad; grandfather of Chloe Elizabeth Steger. Passed away Jan. 7, 2023, at the age of 74. Resident of Mt. Washington. Service will be held at T.P. White & Sons Funeral Home, 2050 Beechmont Ave., Mt. Washington, on Fri. Jan. 20 at 2pm. Friends may visit the funeral home Fri. from 12:30pm-2pm. Mike was a World Master Karate Champion. Memorials may go to the Kosho Karate School in Mt. Washington.

More information can be found here.

The East Central United States Kendo Federation is pleased to host the 2022 Cincinnati Jodo Seminar and Promotion Exam. Seminar instructors include some of the top Jodo practitioners in the United States, and this will be the third time that a promotion test has been held in the Midwest. Whether you are a long-time Jodo practitioner, or you are interested in trying it for the first time, you will not want to miss this unique opportunity!

ACCOMODATIONS

If you wish to go ahead with your own hotel reservations, the nearest hotels to the event include:
Intersection of 275 & Beechmont Ave – Best Western Clermont – Red Roof Inn – Days Inn by Wyndham Cincinnati East
Off of 71 in Hyde Park Neighborhood – Hilton Garden Inn Cincinnati Midtown – Courtyard By Marriott Cincinnati Midtown – Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cincinnati NE

Congratulations to everyone (Especially the Kosho Jodo students!) who were promoted at the Midwest Kendo Federation’s Jodo Seminar in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday, December 4th.

Paul Tarvin & Evan Jones: 3rd Dan

Paul also saved the day by stepping in to partner with another test taker who lost their partner at the last minute.

Ken Kirchmayer: 2nd Dan

Kosho’s Jodo Instructor, Nate England, acted as “Tachiai” during the test, organizing test participants and making all announcements and calls throughout the 3 hour test.

Also, big thanks to Peter Boylan for organizing the event, the first big Jodo get-together in over 2 years. Huge success!

Congratulations to everyone promoted in this weekend’s test!

Andy & Drew: Ikkyu 1st Degree Brown Belt

Daniel, Thanh-Tu, & Thanh-Nha: San Kyu 3rd Degree Brown Belt

All 5 students have worked long and hard for this promotion, training for years, and in hundreds of classes. In addition, they all assist with classes helping out newer members.

This was an especially big promotion for Daniel, who has been with the school since 2015, and received his first promotion in 2016. He is quite a bit bigger than when he started! Great job Daniel!!

Congratulations to Coltyn, Soren, & Tristian who earned their Junior Yellow Belts on October 11th! All three boys have been working extremely hard since joining the dojo earlier this year, and are sure to be future black belts.

This month, we had an all-female promotion!

Sierra made Yellow Belt, just in time to return to college. Ashley and Chalice were both promoted to Green Belt. Great job ladies!

Thanks to Mike & Patrick Oliveri from the Heartland Dojo in Roanoke, IL for stopping in to train with us!

Kosho & Heartland members are sweating after an intense sparring session and heavy bag workout.

On Saturday, June 28 Shuri-Ryu Chief Instructor, Sensei Michael Awad, taught a special seminar at the dojo. Ezra Scott and Neil Stinson from Nashville were in attendance, along with a good representation Kosho’s current students, and a few faces from the past.

The training focused on ways of applying karate techniques including two-hand blocking,

A special drill for snap punches,

And various types of sparring.

Ezra Scott also demonstrated some grappling techniques.

And Sensei Awad also demonstrated some take-downs and chokes.

Richard Awad gave a lecture on karate history.

The event ended with a few promotions and awards, including:

Sensei David Hamann and Richard Awad were named Chief Instructors of Shuri Ryu Karate. This is the first time Sensei Awad has ever awarded this honor.

Gerry Sexton received Special Recognition for service to the dojo, including a Plaque.

Robert Volz promoted to 6th Dan

Gerry Sexton promoted to 4th Dan

Ezra Scott promoted to 4th Dan

Neil Stinson promoted to 2nd Dan

Nate England was named Assistant Chief Instructor of Shuri Ryu Karate

Thanks to Michael Park for stopping by the dojo this week for some great Jodo and Karate training. He also shared a few self defense techniques and joint locks from Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu. Mike is on a cross-country road trip and stopping at dojos to train at along the way.

Congratulations to Stefan and Matt who were promoted to Blue Belt, and Adrian who was promoted to Jr. Blue Belt on Thursday, June 18th! All 3 were not able to make the big review at the beginning of the month, so we held a make-up session. Everyone looked great, and they worked just as hard (and as long) as everyone from the last review.