Don Nagle’s American Okinawan Karate Assn. (Karate for Kids), located at 764 Broadway, hosted the World Open Karate Championship Tournament at Marist High School. This event was under the direction of Hanshi Ralph D. Passero, Ninth Dan and president of Don Nagle’s AOKA Inc.
Senior Masters in attendance were: grandmasters Ralph Chirico, Nick Adler, Ernie Temple, J H Kim, Isaac Henry Jr., Fred Henry, Kevin McGrath, Joe Yerkes, Gary Alexander, Al Smith, Alick Smith, Hanshi George Wanko, Mike Wanko, Dennis Wright, Austin Wright, Don Nash, John Hughes, Carl Martin, Ken Lee, Lou Ferrer, Edward Williams, Larry “Thunder Foot” Cureton, Jason Wanko, James Kelly, Tom Dudacko, Scott Klinger, Charles Dunn, Marvin Carmona, Marilyn Fierro, Dell Norris, and more. Over 150 black belts were also in attendance.
The following competitors train at Don Nagle’s AOKA Karate for Kids:
Adelina Colabraro, a 12 year old brown belt, eliminated all competitors in a mixed division of boys and girls and was awarded first place in free style fighting. She was elevated to Ik Kyu, first degree brown belt junior division.
Christopher Mundell, a 12 year old black belt junior grade, placed second in kata, and also placed second in free style fighting.
Michele Santiago, a 31 year old brown belt, competed after a long absence and placed third in women’s free style fighting, by using back fist and kicking combinations.
Laura Degulis, a 40 year old orange belt and a new student at the school, displayed aggressive fighting techniques and was awarded second place in women’s free style fighting.
Diane Tonte, a 36 year old brown belt, is an aggressive kicker and tactical fighter. She placed first in women’s free style fighting after eliminating all opponents in her division.
Alwin Motto, a first time competitor and a beginner in the adult class, placed second in free style fighting, and surprised all his opponents by not wasting any time.
John Yarost, a 12 year old yellow tip, is a very powerful beginner and an aggressive first time competitor. He was awarded second place in fighting in the teen division of free style fighting.
All the competing students are taught Isshinryu Karate by Shihan Frank Casavecchia, Seventh Dan; Meade Rubenstein, Seventh Dan; Tom Ballweg, Seventh Dan; Sensei Dr. John Franconeri; Sensei Jeff Sterling; and Sensei Mauro Iasparri. All are under the direction of Master Sensei Ralph D. Passero, Ninth Dan. The tournament directors were Sensei Mauro Iasparri, Shihan George Wanko, and Shihan Dr. Michael Wanko.
The school offers free martial arts demonstrations, and a women’s self defense class demonstration is available to any civic organization.
As a gift to all veterans from Hanshi Ralph D. Passero, a former member of the First Brigade Airborne, First Cavalry Division, An Khe Vietnam, 1965-66, is offering free classes during the month of November (for vets only).
For more info, call (201) 436-5330.