Isshinryu History
Four U.S. Marines stationed in Okinawa during the time Master Shimabuku was teaching, are credited with bringing Isshinryu to the United States. These marines also formed their own organizations in an attempt to help perpetuate the art of Isshinryu.
Master Don Nagle
(1938-1999) American Okinawan Karate Association |
Master Steve Armstrong
(1931-2006) |
Master Huskey's Instructors:
Master J.C. Burris
10th Dan International Isshinryu Karate Association Board Member Isshinryu Hall of Fame 1984 Inductee |
Master Carol Burris
7th Dan International Isshinryu Karate Association Board Member Isshinryu Hall of Fame 1998 Inductee |
Master Stephanie Huskey
6th Dan
6th Dan
IIn 1988, Master Huskey began training in Isshinryu Karate at the age of 10 along with her brother, Steven, who was 4 at the time. Within two years, she moved up from Master Carol Burris' children's program into the adult classes led by Master J. C. Burris. Within two years of this transition, she had earned her black belt at age 14 and began helping teach the children's classes.
She began competing regularly in tournaments and earned ten tournament grand champion awards. Master Huskey and her brother, Steven, owned and operated Karate Academy in Athens, Tennessee for five years. She sponsored the Martial Arts Club at Tennessee Wesleyan University and regularly taught an Isshinryu course for college credit. To date, she has taught many self-defense classes, ladies workshops, and training seminars. In 2013, she earned her Roku-Dan (6th degree) rank becoming only the fifth female to hold this rank through the International Isshinryu Karate Association since it's creation in 1974. |