Order of Isshin-Ryu Martial Arts

08/05/2026

Bryan College students now have access to a new scholarship opportunity through our partnership with the Order of Isshinryu Martial Arts (OIMA).

The Grandmaster Toby Cooling Memorial Scholarship will support current and future Bryan College students involved in the Bryan College Martial Arts Program, helping them pursue both their education and martial arts training.

Established by OIMA, the scholarship honors the life and legacy of Grandmaster Toby Cooling, whose commitment to discipline, character, servant leadership, and lifelong learning continues to inspire generations of students.

We are grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to invest in students as they grow in faith, leadership, and purpose.

Learn more: https://www.bryan.edu/new-scholarship-opportunity-supports-bryan-college-martial-arts-students/

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07/30/2026

A special announcement from GM Isham Latimer:

"I am very happy as the founder of the Chi-Ryu Jiujitsu system of martial arts along with it's co-developers, Master John Costanzo and Master John McDonald Jr. , to promote Sensei Charles "Buster" Hash to the fank of Sho-dan (1st degree black-belt), in the C.R.J.

Sensei Hash has been an honorable, trustworthy, and open minded student of martial arts for many decades and remains loyal to the Order of Isshinryu Martial Arts, where his training began under Grandmaster Walter E. Cooling aka "Toby".

Sensei hash has been a great contributer to the OIMA organization and has mentored many students as well as serving on the OIMA Board for several years. He has participated in his CRJ training for more than 3 years via zoom and has attended every weekly meeting on Sunday evening. He is seriously dedicated and has great vision regarding the martial arts and cosistently and continuosly challanges his progressive, intuitive, capacity in all of his training.

We look forward to having Sensei Hash as a mentor and instructor in the art of Chi-Ryu Jiujitsu for many years to come."

For more information about the Chi-Ryu Jiujitsu System, visit here:
https://wakinghands.com/

07/22/2026

Remembering Grandmaster Nick Adler. He was an icon in the martial arts community and the Isshinryu community. May he rest in peace. Our condolences to his family and his karate family.

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Grandmaster Nick Adler, who left us this afternoon following a sudden medical event.

Grandmaster Adler was a highly accomplished practitioner, teacher, and ambassador of Isshinryu Karate. Through decades of dedication, he impacted countless students, instructors, and friends across the martial arts community. His knowledge, humility, and unwavering commitment to preserving and sharing Isshinryu will leave a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the dojo.

While the martial arts world has lost one of its great leaders, our hearts are especially with his family during this difficult time. Please keep his sons Rick and Chris, his daughter Pam, his daughter-in-law Laura, his grandchildren Jake, Blake, and Leah, and the entire Adler family in your thoughts and prayers.

Grandmaster Adler will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him, training with him, or simply calling him a friend. His influence will continue to live on through the generations of martial artists he inspired.

Rest in peace, Grandmaster Nick Adler.
Your legacy, your teachings, and your spirit will never be forgotten.

🥋 1939–2026

07/08/2026

🎁 A Gift to the Isshinryu Community.

One of the things we love most about the Isshinryu Hall of Fame Weekend is bringing our community together to learn from those who have dedicated their lives to the art.

We are honored to announce that Grandmaster Willie Adams, 10th Dan, has generously offered to teach a special karate seminar on Friday, July 17, from 12:00–12:45 PM at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.

Here’s the best part… this seminar is completely FREE.

If you’ve already purchased seminar tickets to learn from this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, consider this an added bonus.

If you haven’t purchased seminar tickets, you’re still invited. This seminar is our gift to the Isshinryu community, made possible through Grandmaster Adams’ generosity, and we are grateful to pass that gift along to all of you.

No registration. No ticket required.

Just show up in your gi, ready to train, learn, and enjoy the opportunity to spend time with one of Isshinryu’s most respected 10th Dan Grandmasters.

We hope you’ll take advantage of this special opportunity. See you In Gatlinburg!🥋

07/04/2026

An opportunity to train with a first generation Isshinryu student of GM Tatsuo Shimabuku! Not to be missed!

06/27/2026

We attended the Shuri-Te Bujitsu Kai Conference this weekend in South Carolina! What an outstanding event, with presenters from many diverse arts sharing, including Master Ortenzio-Cooling! Attending were Masters Dan Popp, Chris Harris, and Sensei David Ginn.

We made many new friends and enjoyed ourselves immensely. Kudos to Kyoshi Troy J Price, Kyoshi Joe Pounder, and the many members of the Kai that make this event run smoothly every year. We look forward to next year!

06/27/2026

From the KIAI Grand Nationals

06/27/2026

From Master Ortenzio:

Had a wonderful time last weekend at the KIAI Grand Nationals in Southfield, Michigan! I was honored to share the floor with Hanshis Albert Mady, Robert Edwards, and Reginald Phillips teaching a seminar on Friday night.
Saturday was a blast watching the intense competition and getting to visit with old friends! Kudos to GM Willie Adams, Hanshis David Joslin and Carl Martin, Kyoshi Jeanine Michel El-Khoury, and the entire support team from Southfield Karate for doing what you do, every year!

06/16/2026

News from Sensei Larry Waldridge of the Elkton YMCA Dojo:

The OIMA Elkton YMCA Dojo would like to announce the promotions of Ms Mackenzie Hamm and Mr Jeremiah Dell to the rank of San Kyu.
Their dedication and hard work was evident in the performance of their kata, history, bunkai and general Knowledge.

“if it was easy, everyone would do it”

Congratulations, we are proud of you ⛩