Yoseikan Chito ryu Hombu

Saturday, March 21st was the first of two USCK National Seminars in 2026! Typically held on the weekend nearest to Hanshi Dometrich’s 3/15 birthday, this year’s festivities were pushed back a weekend to accommodate the USCK’s participantion in the Yoshukai tournament, from which, several karateka returned with trophies and medals!
Saturday was a beautiful morning and training began inside the Gloria Dei church in Crescent Springs, KY at precisely 11am. Karateka from the Hombu, as well as Yoseikan Cincinnati Karate Dojo, Yoseikan Anderson Karate School, Yoseikan Bridgeport West Virginia , Yoseikan Crozet Virginia, and the Karate Club of NKY participated as Kyoshi Sherry Schmidt led the clinic off with a vigorous warm up of nonstop basics, spending much of the time holding stances and strengthening our legs.
After a group photo and small water break, Renshi Wes Ernest took the beginners through some Te Hodoki applications, while Shihan Bill DiGrezio led the rest of the attendees in some kumite drills, focusing on Suriashi and Tai Sabaki for efficient counterattacks.
All returned from the second break for the third hour, ready to sweat through the next half of the clinic. Kyoshi Schmidt took the younger green belts to one end of the training hall to work on basics and kata, while the rest followed Sensei Matt Cowherd through some ideas and applications from Seisan, taken from January’s Kyokudo themed Kangeiko.
Renshi Don Schmidt closed out the clinic, leading all upper ranks in Kusanku Dai, one of Hanshi’s favorite kata, while the younger karateka continued to work self defense techniques. After bowing out and an enthusiastic “Banzai” birthday chant, everyone gathered their belongings, helped pack up the dojo equipment, and headed for home.
Around 6pm, a dinner get together occurred at the Hombu to continue celebrating Hanshi Dometrich's birthday. Many clinic attendees reconvened at Yoseikan and contributed some delicious dishes such as fried chicken, shrimp and many desserts, for a pot luck feast! The rest of the evening consisted mostly of friends sharing stories and talking with Okusan, who couldn’t be more thankful to all who participated in the clinic and the dinner. お誕生日おめでとう范士! BANZAI!

This past Saturday, March 14th, 11 United States Chito Kai karateka traveled to Nicholasville, KY to compete in the Ryu Ken Classic tournament held by our Yoshukai brethren. Many of our students were successful at their attempts in multiple categories! The Hombu’s youngest Suer, Paisleigh (7th kyu), was 4th in her kata division, against 10 other competitors! Her older sister, Piper (6th kyu), was also 4th in her kata division, as well as 2nd in kobudo! Mama bear, Sensei Suer, one of our newest Nidans, made it a hat trick when she also got 4th in her kata division, as well as 3rd in kobudo! Bryson Rieskamp, one of our newest Shodans, placed 4th in kata as well as 4th in kobudo! Lawrence Hawkins Jr (5th kyu), from Yoseikan Cincinnati, also competed and was awarded 2nd place in kumite!

In addition to competing, Bryson and our newest Nidan, Pat O’Brien, judged kata and kumite, along with Renshi Don Schmidt. Pat, as a first time judge, even got to judge the Grand Champion competition! Renshi Wes Ernst also judged some kata, while Kyoshi Sherry Dometrich Schmidt, Renshi Lawrence Hawkins III & Shihan Bill DiGrezio were present for guidance and moral support!

Happy Birthday, William Dometrich Hanshi (3-15-1935 to 3-22-2012)

Dometrich Hanshi began his karate training with Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose while in the army, stationed in Japan in 1953.

After returning from service in 1955, he opened up a short lived dojo in W. Virginia, but after marrying Barbara Webster, they moved to Covington KY and in 1961 along with two other martial artists, opened the first Karate - Judo school in Cincinnati, becoming the forerunners of Martial arts in this area, eventually leading to the development of the United States Chito Kai.

Through the decades, we’ve missed a Kangeiko or two, but Yoseikan’s 46 year tradition continued at the Hombu in the wee hours this past Saturday, January 31st. Around 6pm on Friday, a collection of nine karateka from the Hombu, Yoseikan II, and Yoseikan Anderson, gathered for an Italian feast prepared by the USCK’s very own Kyoshi & Renshi “Chef Tall” Schmidt. After some story sharing and hanging out, all headed off to their respective sleeping bags on their respective decks around 9pm, to rest and prepare for the upcoming training.
At 2:45am, everyone was silently awakened by this year’s teaching team, Renshi Eric Ford, Renshi Wes Ernest, Shihan Bill DiGrezio, & Sensei Matt Cowherd. After participants quickly donned their keikogi and put away their bedding, the deck was clear and all were ready to begin the early morning winter training. Renshi Ford welcomed everyone before Renshi Ernest kicked off the training in high gear with an old school warm up. (I did the math on one small part of the warm up…..630 hikite) He certainly set the tone for the following five hours! Next, Sensei Cowherd, explained the theme of this year’s Kangeiko, “Kyokudo: Intensity in Training”, and began with the first hour of focus, Kuzushi (off-balancing). The third hour was led by Shihan DiGrezio, who focused on Tenshin (body-shifting). The fourth hour, about Speed, was led by Renshi Ford, and then Sensei Cowherd shared ideas on Jintai Kyusho (weak points) and “weapons” or “striking surfaces” in the fifth hour. Throughout each of these sections, Seisan was performed and techniques from that kata were utilized to explain the principles of Kuzushi, Tenshin, Speed, and Jintai Kyusho. In the final hour, Shihan DiGrezio focused on kumite ideas, still utilizing the Kyokudo principles. Before too long, it was time for “The Run” heralding the conclusion of training. It may have been one of the coldest Kangeiko on record, with temperatures at exactly zero during the run (reaching -2 overnight). Since it was so cold, Renshi Ford gave anyone with apprehension, the option to stay behind with Renshi Ernest. More than a few contemplated the reprieve, but when Renshi Ernest said he was gonna do “Warm Up: Part 2” with the stragglers, all ran for their hats and shoes. Around 8:45am, Covington was treated to 8 karateka, jogging and chanting through the streets surrounding the Cathedral Basillica (with Kyoshi, dressed for the cold and sneaking pics along the way). Upon our return, Renshi Schmidt had prepared the traditional Ocha (green tea) that signified the end of another successful winter training, but first we had to do Seisan, “Moichido!”. After lining up and taking seiza, Renshi served everyone tea, concluding Kangeiko 2026.
Everyone got out of their Gi and into comfy clothes before sitting down to a delicious, warm breakfast with all the fixings, again prepared by The Sensei Schmidts! We recounted the morning’s past 6 hours and dreamed of our warm beds at home, as we looked ahead to the training year before of us and next year’s Kangeiko!

On November 1st, Yoseikan Hombu hosted the monthly Black Belt class. After warming up, all in attendance were led by Kyoshi Sherry Schmidt through Niseishi kata, then paired up to train its formal kaisetsu. Next, we were led through more kata and paired up for bunkai. Each team shared two oyo with the rest of the class. Then we all moved onto the next kata. On this day we explored Seisan, Rohai, and Passai kata. It was a most exciting class!

O-SENSEI CHITOSE MEMORIAL CLINIC 2025
​​​​​by Don Schmidt, Renshi

The prestigious U.S.C.K. National Test Board gathered at the Hombu on Friday October 17, 2025, on the eve of O-Sensei’s birthday, celebratory clinic, and banquet. The National Test Board convenes once a year to review those karateka wishing to test for ik-kyu through go-dan. It is an exciting time as fellow karateka gather to test, review candidates, train, eat, drink and be merry. Tension is in the air among candidates wanting to demonstrate their Chito-Ryu karate skills and among teachers who want to see students satisfactorily complete the test. It is a great time!
Kyoshi Sherry Schmidt, Renshi Lawrence Hawkins III, Shihan Kevin Drummond, Shihan Shawna Lingo, and Shihan Bill DiGrezio were this year’s Test Board. I was the Test Board committee or the person who elicited from each candidate their knowledge of Chito-Ryu. This year’s candidates numbered 13. They ranged in age from 16 to 74 and were testing for ik-kyu through yon-dan. They traveled to Kentucky hombu from Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia dojo to participate in the fun.

After a few intense hours of sweating, performing kihon, kata, kumite and kaisetz drills, the Board made the following determinations: Israel McEwan Yoseikan hombu, and Monos Semertzides Anderson Yoseikan, promoted to ik-kyu; Jack McGovern and Sarah White, Anderson Yoseikan, Bryson Rieskamp and John Paul McEwan, Yoseikan hombu, promoted to shodan; Bob Price, Pat O’Brien and Kim Suer, Yoseikan hombu candidates, promoted to nidan; Tim Griffith, Yoseikan Crozet promoted to sandan; Matt Cowherd, Yoseikan hombu promoted to yondan.

The clinic started Saturday morning on October 18, - O-Sensei’s birthday. The clinic initially focused on helping all karateka including test candidates understand and improve upon their Chito-Ryu kihon. Shihan Bill DiGrezio led the first hour. His spirited training session was awesome and I am sure had Hanshi Dometrich grinning from ear to ear. Kyoshi Sherry Schmidt led the next session with various kata training that of course included reminders of good kihon. This session included break-out kata groups led by ranking Shihan. During the third session Kyoshi Sherry Schmidt led karateka through kumite focusing on sanban kumite, ippon kumite and ippon jiyu kumite. Kyoshi Schmidt and Shihan Lingo teamed up to share their ideas about self-defense from a women’s perspective in the fourth session while and I taught all others some of the Hen Shu Ho.

In the past few years the hombu has proven to be a great place to have a banquet. Once again after testing on Friday night the training area was transformed into a banquet room. Most present at the end of the test remained to help set up tables, chairs, hang the magnificent banners along the wall, table cloths and flowers set in place. The beauteous banquet room was a welcoming site on Saturday night when karateka and guests began arriving for pre-dinner cocktails and conversation. Meiyo Hanshi Dometrich knows how to throw a party! Following the delicious dinner we were once again entertained by Shihan Tony DiTerlizzi’s masterly produced The Year in Review. Kyoshi Schmidt’s presentation on “time together” was so appropriate considering the time we spend together. The weekend is just a small fraction of the time we spend together. Awards were distributed and those promoted the evening before were introduced. The banquet came to an end, but most remained and spent quality time mingling and engaging in conversation. Finally, we worked together and quickly dismantled the banquet room, transforming it to its glorious training hall where we will spend more time together training, sweating, learning and celebrating.

pay up 😳😅

2025 Shochugeiko in the books!! The rain held off until 4!!!! Great day to work out and to make new friends. Thank you to everyone who helped set up , teach, and clean up. It was great getting to work out with our Shotokan and Shorinryu friends from Indiana and our Yoshukai friends from Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky. Looking forward to getting together again soon.

March 15th, 1935, Hanshi Dometrich was born! And this Saturday, March 15th, we celebrated his 90th Birthday with training!! Karateka from our Hombu, as well as from our local Yoseikan Anderson, Yoseikan Cincinnati, and Bridgeport, WV, got together for 4hrs of sweating! Kyoshi Sherry Dometrich Schmidt lead us off by warming up with basics, deck drills, and kata. Following a quick break for a group picture, Renshi Eric Ford discussed the finer points of kicking as we polished our Mae, Yoko, and Mawashi Geri with partners. Another quick drink of water, and we were back at it. This time, Shihan Bill DiGrezio ran a group of lower Mudansha through Hanshi’s kata, Chokusen and Renshi Wes Ernest ran a group of upper Mudansha through Seisan, while Renshi Don Schmidt taught the Brown/Black belts one of Hanshi’s favorite, non-Chito ryu kata, Kusanku Dai. After our last, well deserved water break, Shihan Paul Knecht did a deep dive into fighting techniques and how context relates to their use in Kumite, free sparring, and self defense. A great day and a hard workout with wonderful people! Happy Birthday, Hanshi! BANZAI!!

Saturday, March 8th marked the Yoshukai 26th Annual Memorial Tournament in Nicholasville, KY. Yoseikan Hombu members, Piper and Paisleigh Suer competed, and both won first place in kata! Piper also won first in kumite! Fellow karateka, Mike Bill went for support, as did senior instructors, Kyoshi Schmidt, Renshi Schmidt, and Renshi Ernest. Both Renshi were asked to judge kata competitions as well! It was a great time and we’re looking forward to returning next year!

The 44th USCK Kangeiko is officially in the annals of history! Friday evening, eleven Chito ryu Karateka gathered at the Hombu for a family style Italian feast and good conversation. With full bellies, around 10pm, all found their sleeping spots and bundled up to try and catch a few winks before the long morning of training ahead. Woken silently around 3am, “beds” were put away and training began. Led for the next 5 hours by Renshi Eric Ford, assisted by Shihans Shawna Lingo & Bill DiGrezio, the participants trained hard doing Kata, Henshuhos, knife defenses, and more! After a brisk run around Covington at 8:30am in the 20 degree temperature, Renshi Don Schmidt served the ceremonial tea at 9am, signifying the end of the 2025 Kangeiko winter training. Everyone got back into civilian wear and reconvened in the kitchen for sausage & egg breakfast (as well as donuts, cookies, and orange chicken w/ noodles) prepared by Renshi Schmidt along with Kyoshi Sherry Schmidt, Renshi Wes Ernest, and Sensei Matt Cowherd. The meal was again complimented with conversation and camaraderie. As it slowly wound down and everyone filtered out, our thoughts already gaze towards next year’s Kangeiko. Thanks to all who participated and made this a wonderfully successful Kangeiko, and we hope YOU can join us in 2026!