About Us

There’s something for everyone here.

Parents: be careful of the Martial arts school you choose for your child. We here at the Academy of Shorin-Ryu Karate believe that your child should be taught respect, teamwork , discipline, and Martial arts Techniques. We pride ourselves in not being a commercialized Martial arts school. We do not promote to keep you and your child coming and creating a false sense of security. We require our students to come to class, to be dedicated, and above all, develop real Martial Arts skills and techniques! Through hard work, both you and your child will be proud of their achievements.

Member of the ASKA

The American Shorin-ryu Karate Association is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to the growth and advancement of the Okinawan martial arts. Founded in 1969, the ASKA has grown from a single club at The Ohio State University to a nationwide network of schools dedicated to teaching the Okinawan arts of karate (unarmed self-defense) and kobudo (Okinawan weaponry). Its schools pledge to maintain the highest standards of professional, personal and business conduct; to encourage the physical, spiritual, and moral development of instructors and students; to serve their communities and country; and to honor those who have gone before and devoted their lives to the advancement of the Art of Karate. In 1988, the ASKA was incorporated with tax-exempt status under section 501 (c)(3) by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. This determination was based on its mission of public education in the Okinawan martial arts, including providing training and promotional standards, certifying rank, presenting educational clinics and camps, providing financial assistance to worthy students and instructors in accordance with its ability, standards, and procedures; and performing public service.

The leaders of the ASKA are called Papa to reflect the close feeling of family that being a part of the ASKA provides. Papa Joe, Papa Paul, and Papa Jules serve as members of the Executive Promotional Board (EPB).

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MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS

Dave Honzu

Sensei Dave is a 1st degree Black Belt with over two decades of combined experience. He grew up wrestling and boxing and started his Shorin-Ryu Karate training with Renshi Karl Gruber in 2009.
He earned his Black Belt in 2018. Formerly an NAAFS cage fighter, CrossFit Competitor and currently an Ohio Martial Arts Tournament Competitor he has won several contests throughout his career.
Dave is an ACE certified Personal and Group fitness trainer, First Aid Certified, CPR Certified, Level 1 Precision Nutrition Certified and currently studying Healthy Lifestyle and Nutritional Coaching. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and is currently finishing up another in Health and Wellness.

Karl Gruber

In 1988, Karl started his Martial Arts training in Shorin-Ryu Karate with Papa Jules Pommier at the Okinawan Karate Academy in Maple Heights, Ohio. He went on to earn his first degree Black Belt in June 1994. He was promoted to Nidan in January 1999 and in 1998, while Karl continued his training in Shorin-Ryu Karate; he also started training with the MJJA (Midwestern Jiu-Jitsu Association) and went on to receive his Brown Belt in June 2002.

In September of 2002 Karl was promoted to third degree Black Belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate. In addition to his empty hand training, Karl also received his first degree Black Belt in Kobudo (weapons training) in April of 2003 and was promoted to fourth degree Black Belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate in in February of 2007. Karl earned his 6th degree in 2018 and the title of Renshi.

In 2004, Karl started training in NO-GI Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. Karl has continued this training with several different Jiu-Jitsu and MMA instructors. In February of 2005, Karl received his fifth degree Black Belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate and was awarded the title of Dia-Sempai (Senior Student).

In 2008, Karl opened Academy of Shorin-ryu Karate & Mixed Martial Arts in Hudson, Ohio. He currently has students competing in submission grappling tournaments and MMA cage events. Karl’s teaching staff are high level Karate, Wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu instructors.

Sensei Heather Caldwell

Sensei Heather Caldwell began her martial arts journey as a graduate student at Georgia State University. There she trained in Hapkido for four years under Sa Bum Nim Satish Nargundkar, eventually earning her first Kup in 2003. Sensei Heather began training with Renshi Karl Gruber in 2012 and earned her 1st Dan(Shodan) in 2016. When Sensei Heather is not doing Karate, she is most known for being Dr. Caldwell or “mom” as a Professor of Biological Sciences at Kent State University and a mother of two lovely children.

Brian Walsh

Brian Walsh was very honored to be inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame on March 9th of this year with many other elite martial artists from over 27 states and 4 countries, as a Pioneer of USA Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He also had the surprise to also be inducted into the Kwanmukan Hall of Fame for Distinguished Service to Martial Arts that same night.
· Being inducted into the Hall of Fame was a great honor as others awarded that evening were military Veterans, NSA, US Marshals, Secret Service, Police, Sheriffs, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, First Responders, Olympic Taekwondo, Judo and Olympic Karate.

· Also, Brian had been inducted in 2015 as an International Athlete for his winning the IJJF International World cup Championships in the early 1990’s.
· Brian has 45 years of Martial Arts Experience including IJJF International World Cup Champion, Multiple US Open International Champion & USJJF National Champion as well many Regional Champions. Over 50 NHB fights.
· He has coached multiple Professional & Amateur athletes in Mix Martial Arts, UFC, Bellator, World Series of Fight, NAAFS, and Honor, among many others.
· He has also coached multiple Olympic, World & International Champions and Medal placers in Jiu-Jitsu, Ju-Jitsu Fighting and Judo.
· Brian has also coached multiple National Sombo Champions and Medal placers. Additionally, he has coached many National, Regional & State Wrestling Champions and Medal placers in Greco-Roman, Freestyle, Collegiate and Folk style wrestling.

· Chairman of the USJJF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling Committee.
· Former USA-Wrestling-Ohio Director of Grappling.
· Senior USJJF Grappling & BJJ referee.
· Referee for International, National, Regional and local tournaments for multiple organization
· Police Self Defense Instructor -Certified, 6th Degree Black Belt, Aikido, Aiki-Jitsu, 5th Degree Black Belt, USA Jiu-Jitsu & Newaza Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 4th Degree Black Belt, Traditional Kodokan Judo, 3rd Degree Black Belt, Seiei Kan Jujutsu, 1st Degree Black Belt, Karate, 1st Degree Black Belt, Muay Thai.

Christopher Yankay

Sensei Chris is our latest Black Belt addition to our Academy earning his honor in late 2018.
He is only 15 years old and has been an outstanding student and assistant instructor.
He currently attends Western Reserve Academy and competes in Wrestling, Track and Pole Vaulting.