Shotokan Karate is one of most widely studied and practiced systems of karate throughout the world. For more information on Shotokan karate, please copy and paste this link to your browser:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotokan
John Chioco is LKC’s Chief Instructor and has been studying Shotokan Karate for 51 years. He has attained the rank of seventh degree black belt. He is fortunate enough to have studied from among best instructors in the country. Hanshi Dan Smith, Sensei Gerald Giles, Sensei Don Byington, and Sensei Emry Kennedy are teachers that have influenced Mr. Chioco’s teaching philosophy. Competitively, Mr. Chioco has had success on the national and international level having been ranked #2 with the United States Karate Association (1987) AAU Gold Medalist (2011) AAU Bronze Medalist (2012) and SIlver Medalist in the AAU International Championships (2012). On the state level, Mr. Chioco has won State Championships and Grand Championships in Alabama, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. In Oklahoma, Mr. Chioco was awarded Competitor of the Year. In Mississippi, Mr. Chioco is a 20-time State Champion and Instructor of the Year (1989). Chioco was inducted in to Mississippi Black Belt Hall of Fame and the United Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2010. LKC students also have a long list of competitive achievement from AAU District, Regional and National Gold Medalists to Mississippi Karate Association State Championships. Laurel Karate Club is internationally affiliated with the Traditional Okinawan Karate and Kobudo Organization (TOKKO). Discipline, Respect, Focus, Fitness, Self Defense: These are the key benefits to learning and practicing Shotokan Karate. We welcome you as a student!
