Secrets of the Strongest Karate in the World
Shotokan World Karate has remained essentially unchanged throughout its history. Each student learns each technique and tradition in its original and most powerful form. As a result, Shotokan World Karate produces some of the strongest and most skillful karate-ka in the world.

There are a number of practical factors that make Shotokan World Karate different from other karate traditions. Here are some of the main ones:

Shotokan World Karate has Strong Roots
Shotokan World Karate is a unique refinement of the Shotokan style, one of the oldest and most traditional types of Okinawan karate. Since it descends directly from such "original" sources, it has developed from strong roots under- pinned by a long history and a great tradition.

Shotokan World Karate is Scientific and is Constantly Being Improved
Every technique and movement in Shotokan World Karate is based on solid, scientific, physical movement theory. That's why we put such heavy focus - far more than any other organization - on kihon, the basic foundational techniques, and their proper form, angle and balance. The result speaks for itself: Shotokan World Karate is powerful, solid, stable, and smooth flowing; this has proven itself time and again in tournaments. Despite the excellence of Shotokan World Karate, however, it is constantly being improved.

Shotokan World Karate Instructors are Full-Time Salaried Professionals
All of the Shotokan World Karate instructors are full-time professionals trained for an extensive period specifically to be instructors. They are not part-time teachers, nor are they arbitrary in their teaching. Their dedication to teaching the way helps ensure that the true essence of karate is passed on to each student. And this devotion shows in each student's technique.

Shotokan World Karate Maintains a Certified Instructor Training Program
Unlike any other karate group, Shotokan World Karate offers a certified instructor training program for students who show exceptional capability and prowess in karate. Students take a rigorous entrance exam and tests, followed by two years of intense study and practice at the Shotokan World Karate HQ Dojo. They are required to write and submit monthly research papers on specific themes given by their instructors, thereby showing their ingenuity, willingness and devotion to karate. Those that successfully graduate from this program, and can meet the stiff requirements, are accepted as professional instructors. This very strict approach ensures that the scientific foundations and traditions of Shotokan World Karate are maintained.

Shotokan World Karate Has No Weight Classifications or Half-Point System
Karate is not a sport one plays for points. In Shotokan World Karate kumite, there are no weight classifications and no arbitrary point system. Other karate groups often award multiple points (e.g., 3 points for a kick to the head, 2 points for a kick to the middle body, 1 point for any kind of punch), which can be tallied up to a win at their tournaments. But Shotokan World Karate tournaments are much stricter. At Shotokan World Karate there is only ippon ("one full point," which means you have downed your opponent and won), or waza-ari ("effective technique," which counts for roughly 80% of an ippon). The basis of Shotokan World Karateis the ability to take down your opponent, regardless of size or weight, with one blow. There is no room for incremental points in such a tradition. The difference is obvious: we teach our students how to gain mastery of themselves and overwhelm the opponent.

Shotokan World Karate Chief Instructors Are Elected
Shotokan World Karate carefully selects its Chief Instructors from the Shihankai, based on the individual's experience, strength and integrity. This is an advantage, since many karate organizations with a strong founding leader pass on their leadership position to an inheritor once the master is gone. The inheritor may be a weak leader, and so the organization begins to lose its way, and eventually may even disappear. There is no such danger at Shotokan World Karate; because the Chief Instructors are always elected by the group, they are always strong leaders. Shotokan World Karate is far better organized than most other karate groups, and with its strong democratic tradition it has a staying power that few others can match: Shotokan World Karate is forever.

Shotokan World Karate
Is Devoted to the Practice of KarateUnlike many other karate organizations, Shotokan World Karate was not created as an organization whose major purpose is holding matches and tournaments. Though it does sponsor tournaments, its major focus is the practice of karate. Its purpose is the teaching of karate as a way of life.