Wednesday, Feb. 03, 2010

Garner karate team brings home honors

Instructors and students from JKO Karate in Garner won several awards at the 37th annual JKO Masters Seminars and Championships on Jan. 16 and 17 in San Diego, Calif.

Held at the San Diego Convention Center, this international event has drawn competitors, officials and VIPs from as far away as Italy and from organizations as notable as the World Karate Federation and USA Karate.

Sensei Ed Craft, owner and senior instructor at the Garner club, earned his fourth-degree black belt and the title of Shihan-dai, interim master teacher. With more than 40 clubs in 10 countries, there are currently only five fourth-degree black belts in the JKO, and Craft is the third to earn the title of interim master.

"Being part of a truly international karate organization with a history as long as the JKO's is great. Having Hanshi Miki invite me was really a tremendous privilege," Craft said.

JKO Karate student Bill Bowden made the trip to San Diego for the event. Bowden, 53, won first place in the executive men's novice forms division.

"Training with Hanshi is always wonderful. Sensei getting new rank and title is cool too. But winning a gold medal to bring home is really the icing on the cake. What a great way to finish off an awesome trip," he said.

His son, Ford, also competed, winning second place in the 15-16-year-old boys novice forms division. "Competing really helps me to improve myself. I'm able to learn how to work under pressure as well as learn from my mistakes," he said.