The AWA is the return of the former "American Wado Federation International". Formerly the AWFI was founded and lead by Shihan Otto Johnson. After the sad passing of Mr. Johnson the AWFI was thrown into a tail spin. With the named Nidai Soke not an active Wado Practitioner the organization faded into an inactive status. With a new surge of interest in Wado we here at PFMA have looked to our leader to restore the former group under new leadership that would be active and reunite the old practitioners with the new.
There was one and only one choice in this matter, the new organization must be lead by the highest ranking actively teaching direct student of Shihan Otto Johnson. GM CE Carter is that person! Master Carter has been practicing Wado since the 1980's along with his many other styles. In early 2000 Master Carter was promoted by Shihan Johnson with the blessing of the TKO to the rank of 5th Dan and the title of Renshi was given. In 2004 the USMA reclassified Master Carter as a 6th Dan in Wado due to his years of training, extensive knowledge of Japanese Karate and his exceptional skills of technical application. At this point we look to Master Carter as the new head of "American Wado Association" regardless of what rank he chooses to wear.
Do to rights and political issues the continued Wado development and training is done in Shihan Otto Johnson's memory however under a new name. Anyone claiming to offer training or certification in Wado under the lineage of Shihan Otto Johnson must be a member of the AWA and/or ranked by Master CE Carter of Pure Force Martial Arts or the rank and training are not legitimate.
For more information on instruction in Wado or membership in the American Wado Association please contact us at ntcpfma@pureforcemartialarts.com
American Wado Association Memberships
Personal Annual Membership Cost $25.00 per year
Rank License and registration from the AWA
Rank Nationally Registered with the USCMAS
Free pass to all Japanese karate-do clinics and seminars held at the Pure Force Head Quarters
Free AWA patch
Instructor Annual Membership Cost $100.00 per year
Rank License and registration from the AWA
Rank Nationally Registered with the USCMAS
Free pass to all Japanese karate-do clinics and seminars held at
the Pure Force Head Quarters
Four hours of Private training with GM CE Carter at the PFMA Head Quarters
Free Certified Instructor Training Program
Free AWA patch
School Annual Membership Cost $400.00 per year
Rank License and registration from the AWA
Rank Nationally Registered with the USCMAS
Free pass
to all Japanese karate-do clinics and seminars held at
the Pure Force Head Quarters
Four hours of Private training with GM CE Carter at the PFMA Head
Quarters
Free Certified Instructor Training Program
Two Free Clinics at your school in Wado
Formal Rank Review and Certification for the schools Head Instructor
Free AWA patch
In Memory of Shihan Otto Johnson Soke American Wado Ryu Federation International May 2, 1959 - November 2, 2004
Shihan Otto Johnson began his study of Wado-Ryu Karate-Do 30
years ago under the tutelage of Hanshi Toshio Osako Shihan. Osako is a three-time
All Japan Karate Champion and coach at "the renowned and feared"
Nichi-Dai University of Tokyo in Japan. Shihan Johnson is a graduate
of the Karate Instructors Training Program at NihonUniversity,
under Toshio Osaka Shihan.
Osaka instructed Johnson personally for the
World Wado-Ryu Karate Championships held in the Budokan in Tokyo, Japan and
International Karate Championships held in Osaka, Japan in 1979. Johnson won
both gold medals. He is a former World International Karate Champion and the first
African-American to ever accomplish this feat.
Shihan Johnson's home dojo is in San
Bernardino, California. He trains many law enforcement personnel, including
those in the Los Angeles Police Department (L.A.P.D.), Salt Lake Sheriff's,
Salt Lake City Police (special tactics personnel), Department of Parole and
Corrections personnel (California).
He has served as a coach to many local,
regional, national, and international champions. He is a 5th level World Karate
Federation (WKF) licensed referee and is qualified in law enforcement martial
arts. He is in constant demand for his seminars and personal lessons.
Tournaments
1995 - 1998 - Team Coach to 3
Silver Medal Teams in Arizona Wado Sport Karate Championship, sponsored by
Marlin Moore and Ray Hughes in Arizona, Coach and Competitor
1995 - 1996 - Silver
Medalist, United States Wado Karate Federation Tournament
1996 - Coach of the Silver
Medalist Team, Fumio Demura's Japan Karate Tournament
1979 - International Karate
Champion - Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
1979 - Outstanding Karate
Player - World Wado-Ryu Karate-do - Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
1979 - Outstanding Karate
Player - Utah Open
1979 - 3rd Place Weapons, Utah
Open
Videos/Movies/Television
Appeared in movie
"Little Bigfoot", directed by Art Camacho, 1996
Featured on numerous
television documentaries, "Sports Talk Television Show" in San
Bernardino, "Today Show" (NBC), featured on all major networks,
including ABC, NBC, CBS, and several cable stations
Star of 6 videos
Producer of 3 videos
Books/Magazines
Featured on the cover of
Black Belt Video Magazine, 2000
Featured on the cover of
Karate Star Magazine, 1998
Author of 2 books:
"American Wado Manual" and soon to be published "New
Testament to Living for Wado Karate", by Shihan Otto Johnson, 7th
Dan, Karate-do, Wado-Ryu Karate
Other
Demonstrator for many famous
celebrities, including bodyguard work for people such as Hector 'Macho'
Camacho.
Shihan Johnson was issued his 7th Dan certificate on
April 25th, 1998 which was signed by the late Masaru Shintani under the
authority of the Wado Kai of Shintani Karate Federation of North America.
