Vernon Valley Karate travels to Okinawa

VERNON — On April 17, three instructors from the Vernon Valley Karate Academy travelled to Okinawa, Japan, the birthplace of karate, to participate in the International Karate Shorinryu Shurinkai Association opening ceremonies for the newly constructed facility, Okinawa Prefectural Karate Do Kaikan in the city of Naha.
Sensei’s Tom Shull, Matt Shull and Monica Rolando joined in with students from around the world to train and perform at the Kaikan for this inaugural celebration and demonstration. Organizing this event was the United Nations organization UNESCO that promotes peace and security across the globe. The event was directed by the head of the Okinawan Shorinryu Shurinkai Association, Master Keishun Kakinohana.
“It was an honor to be able to represent the United States. We travelled there at the invitation of my teacher Sensei Robert Herten. I wanted to share the culture and history of Okinawa with my student Monica Rolando. She has become one of my most accomplished students and one of the most valued teachers at the Vernon Valley Karate Academy”, commented Sensei Shull. “Our dojo is very fortunate to have such talented and dedicated instructors”.