For Immediate Release

Contact: Irv Guyett, Chairman

Phone: 412‐261‐3522

Cell: 412‐901‐6046

Email: ipguyett@comcast.net

PITTSBURGH HOSTS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP KARATE TOURNAMENT

Demonstrations and seminars also offered by nationally recognized instructors from

Pittsburgh school.

PITTSBURGH, June 11, 2009 – Close to 300 highly trained adults and children,

representing 40 schools from 12 states, will compete in the day‐long Isshinryu World

Karate Association’s (IWKA) Championship Tournament, on Saturday, June 20, at the

Pittsburgh Hilton. The public is invited to attend. Tickets are $5 for children 12 and under;

$10 for adults. Competition begins at 9:15 a.m.

Athletes from the Mid‐Atlantic States, New England region, the Midwest and as far away as

Texas and the state of Washington will compete in 95 divisions. Each division has three

disciplines: empty hand, weapons and sparring. Isshinryu karate also is practiced by

adults and children with disabilities. A division will be judged for these accomplished

individuals as well. Judges have been provided a DVD, produced and distributed by the

host school, Isshinryu Karate Academy of Pittsburgh, located on Green Tree Road, to

promote consistent standards for judging. Trophies will be awarded and all competitors

will receive a certificate recognizing their participation in this biennial tournament.

Seminars Conducted by Founders of Local Isshinryu School

Thursday, June 18, Hanshi William H. Duessel, founder of the Karate Academy 40 years ago,

will conduct a weapons seminar for Brown and Black Belts from 7‐8:30 p.m., at the

Pittsburgh Hilton. Duessel, at 82 years old, is recognized worldwide as one of Isshinryu

Karate's most accomplished instructors and is the highest ranking instructor in the IWKA.

On Friday, June 19, Hanshi William H. Duessel will be joined by Sunsei Charles A. Wallace,

co‐founder of the Academy to conduct two seminars: one at 1:15 p.m., for men and women

at the Black and Brown belt level; and one at 3:15 p.m., open for all karate practitioners.

Kyoshi Wallace is an 8th degree black belt. Both Duessel and Wallace trained with Master

Tatsuo Shimabuko of Okinawa, who is credited with developing the Isshinryu style of

karate in the 1940s.

All attendees must be pre‐registered.

Dinner to Honor and Recognize Duessel's Contributions

A dinner will be held on Friday evening at 6 p.m., at the Pittsburgh Hilton, to recognize

Hanshi William H. Duessel for his many contributions in a lifetime of dedication to this

sport. Duessel, an author and lecturer, is regularly sought after by karate schools across

America to conduct small group seminars and demonstrate the refined techniques of

Isshinryu.

Tournament attendees and friends are invited. Reservation deadline is June 18, and can be

made during registration on June 18, or by contacting the Isshinryu Karate Academy at

412‐928‐8460. Final week reservations costs are $35 for children 12 and under; $57 for

adults.

The Isshinryu Karate Academy of Pittsburgh

The Isshinryu Karate Academy of Pittsburgh is a not‐for‐profit organization that has

produced champions locally, regionally and internationally. It is located at 600 Green Tree

Road, Green Tree, PA. Most of its 18 black belt instructors have studied with Hanshi

Duessel, who is the only 9th Dan in United States.

Students of all ages are welcome and currently range in age from 7 to 70 years.

Membership is $60 a month.

For additional information on the tournament, registration, or the Academy, visit:

www.iwka2009‐pittsburgh.com or www.karatepgh.com; or call 412‐928‐8460.

###