September 19, 2004

Don Nagle’s

American Okinawan Karate Association, Inc.

2004 Open Tournament

2004 Hall of Fame Dinner

The Legend Lives On

On September 19, 2004, after receiving many dire warnings that hosting both a Tournament and HOF Dinner, on a Sunday, that the turnout would be sparse, Don Nagle’s Legacy and memory, within the hearts and minds of the karate practitioners embodied the feelings for our Sensei. The tournament was the largest turnout that the AOKA, Inc. has ever had, with over 400 competitors and a full house of spectators. The number of ranking black belt Masters was impressive and all of them pitched in to run the rings continuously during the day, with Master Dennis Hoare, 9^th Dan coordinating their efforts. Given a Herculean task, other Masters, such as Ernie Temple, Mr. Kim (an internationally respected teacher and coach of American competitors), Rick Norris, one of the most popular Sensei's in the tri-State area and a selfless worker, as co-coordinator and the man who has run all of the rings and score keeping officials, since their has been a Don Nagle Tournament, former Marine Corps Master Sergeant Larry Isaac and Grand Masters Isaac Henry and Gary Alexander were there to lend whatever help was needed. The Red Dragon’s Al Smith was at the tournament, as well as his capable son Alick, who kept the fighting rings for the black belts moving and under excellent discipline.

The crowd was enthusiastic about the level of both the kata and kumite that was shown by the competitors. While the tournament ran over the allotted time frame set by the standards of previous AOKA, Inc. tournaments, none of the spectators left the arena, until the last match was fought. In the final match, a new star from the Isshinryu ranks, Tom Kately, of Long Valley, N.J. , fought his way through to the final match, using excellent technique and timing for his moves. He fought in the fashion of Isshinryu from decades gone by, since he began studying kumite under an old pro and one of Grand Master McGrath’s students, John Pinghero, 9^th Dan. Kately was matched in the Grand Championship against Vicente Rivas originally from Venezuela , South America . In a tough match, last years Grand Champion succeeded in holding onto his crown for another year. The Kempo dojo where he has learned to be a winner is run by Master Francisco Vigoroux.

In another excellent and very exciting match won by Tariq Bey, of Grand Master Isaac Henry’s B.K.G organization, which has perennially turned out winners, fought Fighting Irish John O’Leary, a student of Tommy May’s dojo and a Sensei on his own, who has been making a comeback after several years out of the ring. He hasn’t, it would seem, lost a step. He looked sharp and took advantage of any opening given. However, the measured fighting poise of Tariq Bey who wasted no motion, striking only when he would score, finally won out, in this close, hard fought match. However, I don’t believe that this close loss will discourage Mr. O’Leary.

At the Dinner, we suffered the embarrassment of having to turn away many people who showed up without prior notice. We apologize for both the late conclusion of the matches and the late start for the AOKA, Inc. HOF . Grand Master Nagle’s successor, Mr. Ed McGrath, was asked, by Master Ralph Passero, to say a few words and in his comments, he stated that this year’s crowd was a tribute to The Legend of Don Nagle and what he accomplished over the years, in establishing Isshinryu in the United States through his excellent teaching skills and unparalleled fighting skills. He further said that he and the Isshinryu community missed him and would never see another proponent of Isshinryu like him.

Master Passero was surprised by his black belt contingent, some of the toughest fighters I have ever watched, and his students, when they shared their pride in their Sensei, Master Passero, with the audience at the HOF Dinner, by awarding him a plaque, extolling his unique teaching style and naming him the Master of the Decade. A well deserved tribute to a Sensei who truly lives up to Sensei Nagle’s Legacy. It is about time that he was recognized for the contributions he has made to his community and especially the children that he guides in karate and life.

Hanshi McGrath was also given a singular tribute when the AOKA, Inc. awarded him with The American Golden Eagle Award. The only other recipients of this award have been Masters, Nagle, Urban and Cho. This signaled his nearly five decades of fighting and teaching, since being one of Sensei Nagle’s original students, in the first Isshinryu dojo in America .

We cannot close this notice, without sincere praise and thanks for the hard work and ingenuity of Master Ralph Passero, who has dedicated himself to this annual tribute to our Sensei, Don Nagle, whom he watched over and took care of for many years before Sensei’s passing. Unfortunately, he was fighting an insurmountable battle alone, while trying to run his business and dojo, simultaneously. As I stated before, we were overwhelmed with late entries and Dinner guests. Up to the last day, he was trying to ascertain how many people would be at specific tables, while the numbers changed by the hour. If you know Mr. Passero, at all, you know that he simply can’t turn down a friend. However, both Mr. Passero and myself, have discussed this years unexpected tide of fans and have decided to start the process sooner this year, using both of our web sites for entries to both the tournament and the HOF Dinner and will set a last date for entries and guests for the HOF Dinner. The cut off date will be set

and scrupulously observed. Also, Mr. Passero, may have an exciting surprise for next years tournament, making it a truly Highlight affair and the grandest tribute to Grand Master Nagle ever. Please look forward to this next annual tribute to The Legend and, again forgive us for not being prepared for such a success.

This year will also see a new Board of Directors elected to the AOKA, Inc. for a two-year term. There will be a good deal of new blood to mix with some of the tried and true former Directors. We will be moving the AOKA, Inc. in a new direction, with a positive program for the member dojos, organizations and students that will improve every Isshinryu practitioner’s enjoyment and learning process, in our art.

Good luck and health, until we see you next year and God bless America and our troops, who are in harm’s way for our freedom and way of life.

Your friend in memory of Tatsuo Shimabuku, Soke and Grand Master Donald Nagle,

Ed McGrath, Hanshi-Isshinryu, The Art

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