Steve Di Lorenzo - easily the most nonchalant black belt about his excellent capabilities and skills that Master McGrath has ever promoted to teaching grade. He joined Mr. McGrath at the now legendary dojo at the YMCA in Lindenhurst, New York, with the first of the great fighters who enrolled in 1975, soon after I moved to Long Island . His athletic abilities came forward immediately. He showed a keen interest and enthusiasm to learn all aspects of Isshin-Ryu karate. However, his heart was really in the fighting aspects of Isshin-Ryu, at which he excelled immediately. He went on to become a fixture at tournaments within the tri-state area and developed into a consistent winner, who took the katas and exercises and developed his own very unusual style of fighting, within our system. His light hearted demeanor and humility in the face of success, made him a favorite among his peers and with Master McGrath, who always enjoyed their sparring matches and Sensei DiLorenzo’s competitive instinct. His attributes gained him promotion, over the years, and he has attained the rank of Roku-Dan, 6^th degree black belt in Isshin-Ryu. He has established our presence at a new school on Ocean Ave. , in Patchogue, Long Island , NY . Although Steve is the Chief Instructor at the dojo, he has designated it as my new base dojo. His partners in this dojo are Master Dan Vena and his protégé, Greg Melita, recently promoted to Third Degree Black Belt, or San-Dan. We are happy to have Master DiLorenzo heading up the new Dojo.

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