Rank: 1st Dan Jr
School: Bayonne AOKA Inc
A.O.K.A. Biography Instructor Michael E. Hunter 1st Dan Jr I started studying Isshinryu Karate on June 14th, 1999 at the age of five. In a remarkable coincidence, I tested for my rank of Sho Dan Ho on June 14th, 2003, four years exactly to the day that I began my training! At the age of nine, I was proud to be one of A.O.K.A.'s youngest Junior Black Belts. At my black belt shiah, I banged it out with Jonathon P., one year my senior, he is my best competition and best karate buddy. I also performed all my katas before a packed and hushed dojo, culminating in Sanchin. It was completely amazing. My first and only Dojo has been Don Nagle's American Okinowan Karate Association, the A.O.K.A. in Bayonne, New Jersey. My head Sensei, primary teacher, and mentor is Shihan Ralph D. Passero, 9th Dan. I never had the chance to meet Grandmaster Don Nagle, as he died just two months after I began to study Isshinryu Karate. I have met Grandmaster Edward McGrath, 10th Dan on many occasions. I was honored to be present for Isshinryu history when Sensei Passero was promoted by Grandmaster McGrath to the rank of 9th Dan on February 17th, 2001. At the very beginning of my training Sensei Passero saw something in me that I made us both believe that I would become part of the A.O.K.A. for the long run. As a young student of karate I had some trouble keeping my focus and Sensei always had to remind me to stop chattering to my fellow students, but his patience (with me) was rewarded with the development of an awesome round house kick, and my fondness for kumite. At Don Nagle's A.O.K.A. Millennium Hall of Fame Awards Dinner on September 9th, 2000, Sensei Passero presented me with the “Outstanding Student Award”. I have competed in many tournaments, placing in kumite, kata, and kobudo in twelve events to date. In addition to the guidance and training provided by Sensei Passero, I have been trained by many other A.O.K.A. instructors. Each contributed in different and significant ways to my training. Many stayed extra after class or came to the dojo at off hours to work with me. Sensei Wzorek, Sensei Clarkin, Sensei Casavecchia, and Dr. Franconeri worked my kata until I began to see Seisan in my sleep. At age eight, I was welcomed into the adult class which really accelerated my training. I want to thank each and every one of my instructors for their time and talent. I continue to learn from them each day that I step on floor.