Shihan Bill Woodard Began his Karate training in 1968/1969 in Ilinois, the style was Shorei Ryu then Goju-Shuri the training was quite intense as it was in those days he continued until 1973 in which he received his shodan. In 1974 he relocated to Texas where he began training at a local Kung Fu school because of location convenience. The difference was to drastic going from hard style to the classical soft style, so he commuted twice a week to a Seibukan Shorin Ryu Dojo to study Shorin Ryu Karate and Ryu Kyu Kobudo under Sensei Walter Rose and Donald Swansey he continued here until the Dojo was closed. Still seeking quality Instruction he began training under George Minshew at his home in west Colombia Texas and continued here until his departure from Texas. The next move took Woodard Sensei to Georgia where he commuted 60 mi.each way to the Dojo of Karate Isshinryu Pioneer Harold Mitchem and continued here until his Move to Florida. Where he enrolled in Tom Bentleys Shito Ryu School that had been referred to him by a Man he met in Sylvester Georgia. By the name of Richard Ballargeon. He was the Soke of the National Karate Jiu Jitsu Union and the man responsiable for bringing the Seshin Kai Karate Union to the U.S.A. and the Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu Style of Shogo Kuniba "Soke". Shortly after enrolling in Bentley Sensei's school Ownership was transfered to Sensei Ricki Adams. Sensei Woodard remained training with Sensei Adams, and Sensei Bentley for several years. 1979 to 1987. Ricky Adams is the Instructor that Influenced Sensei the most Instilling the will to put forth the effort to excell in, and practice more Forms (kata), instead of just fighting (kumite). This is what Sensei Woodard says allowed him all the success in competition he as enjoyed.
Shihan Bill Woodard has either won or placed in every major Tournament in the S.E. U.S. he has won over 200 trophies with many of them Grand Championships. Shihan has been one of Florida's top Competitors since the mid-80's, with several State Championships in forms and weapons forms, in 1990 he was not only a State Champion but also a NASKA regional tripple Champion, and finished the year within the top 6 Nationaly in Weapons Competition. It was in 1990 that Kaneta Toshio Shihan ask him to be the U.S. representitve for the Sogo Budo Kaneta Kai Organazation under the Seshin Kai Karate Union of Gumna - Ken, Japan . He still holds the position of US Kaicho for the Sogo Budo Kaneta Kai.
In 1999 Shihan Woodard began training under Tamayose Hidemi in the Ryu Kyu Kobudo Tesshinkan. In 2002 He traveled to Japan to train and see his Karate Sensei Toshio Kaneta "Soke" and then on to Okinawa for a couple weeks to train with Tamayose Sensei in Kobudo. While in Okinawa Tamayose Sensei presented Shihan Woodard with the USA Shibucho for the Tesshinkan Ryu Kyu Kobudo.
Shihan Woodard has had the honor to have trained with some of the worlds top Martial Artists, and Legends of the Ancient Arts Some of the more notable are: Shogo Kuniba,"Soke"(Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu Karate Do), Toshio Kaneta "Soke"(World Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu Fed.), Richard Ballargeon "Soke"(Soke N.K.J.U. Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu) Hosho Shiakawa "Soke"(Soke Shiakowa Shito Ryu, Soke Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo, Soke Mugai Ryu Iaido) Harold Mitchum "Hanshi"(Isshin Ryu Karate pioneer) Thomas Bentley,"Shihan"(Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu), Ricky Adams, "Shihan"(Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu), Joe Lewis(Joe Lewis fighting system) George Dillman (Kyusho Jitsu the Dillman theory),Devorah Dometrich (Ryu Kyu Kobudo),Tamayose Hidemi (Ryu Kyu Kobudo) and the list goes on!
THE SOGO BUDO KANETA KAI:
Sogo Budo Kanteta Kai trains in the Motobu Ha Shito Ryu style of the late Kuniba Shogo. This system is dedicated to the constant study, training, and improvement of one's Body Mind and Spirit,through diligent training in Kata and Bunkai.
THE NATIONAL KARATE & KOBUDO FEDERATION:
Shihan Woodard started the NKKF in 1992 to develop a Brotherhood in Budo. This was shortly after the death of Kuniba Shogo "Soke". Woodard Shihan had noticed the enormous pressure that some Organizations had placed upon their members and decided there must be a better way. With most Martial Arts Organizations you paid your dues and were issued a number and remained that a number. Many karate-ka and Instructors had lost contact with their original Sensei or felt the need to move on for one reason or another. This is where the NKKF was most beneficial, it allowed martial artist of different styles to come together for a common goal. Learning and Improving without the day to day politics that have come to plague the Martial Arts. Thus there has become a growing need for the NKKF and the NKKF keeps growing because of "Excellence" in the Martial Arts. Today the NKKF has members in many States within the US and in over 17 Countries Globaly. It has continued to provide guidance and service to its members because of the dedication of its leaders.
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