Canadian martial arts master instructor Christopher Doyle (41) earns, learns and up grades his skills on an 18 day cultural adventure to the home of karate, and tropical Island, Okinawa - Japan. Training each day between four and six hours with martial arts historian master Tetshuhio Hokama.
(PRWEB) May 24, 2005 -- Canadian martial arts master instructor Christopher Doyle (41) earns, learns and up grades his skills on an 18 day cultural adventure to the home of karate, and tropical Island, Okinawa - Japan. Training each day between four and six hours with martial arts historian master Tetshuhio Hokama(65).
Besides the cultural montage experienced by Doyle, he was told that he was going to be tested and evaluated for his next belt level, 7th degree black belt. (There are ten levels, called dan ranks, in the martial arts.) The testing began on the first day, April 27th, and finished on Monday May 9th. Successfully earning his 7th degree black belt and upgrading his teaching title to kiyoshi (Advanced Master Instructor Expert). This level has only been achieved by one other Canadian and one other American in the world making Doyle a true Canadian martial arts ambassador.
"One of the greatest experiences learning traditional oar techniques of the island" said Doyle. "Okinawa is the "hub of the orient" and had many countries invade trying to rule the island," he added. "Okinawa was a fishing national and had to learn to take their tools, oars, hats and hands and feet, and adopt them into self defence techniques to defend their island," explained Doyle.
Mr. Hokama, considered a national treasure, is the curator of the only martial arts museum in the world. The museum boasts over 800 articles, documents, books, pictures and memorabilia from martial arts pioneers.
During the trip Mr. Doyle visited many martial arts monuments, memorial grounds and had many conversations with martial arts masters about the martial arts of the past as well as had a meeting with the vice-governor of Okinawa about the future of martial arts around the world. After the meeting the vice-governor was pleased and said he was looking into creating and expanding on the martial arts museum.
Mr. Doyle is available for interviews and has many stories to share.
Contact: Christopher Doyle, 905-278-8391
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