OUR HERITAGE

The American Style Karate Team was founded in 1981 by then 1st degree Black Belt "Christopher J Shaw".

His training began with world renowned "Grand Master" Jerry C Piddington, a Karate Hall of Famer, and Founder of the American Open Style Karate System. Today the official name is American Shorei/Shorin Karatedo. Grand Master Piddington is also the founder and father of the American Karate Academies National Association (AKANA).
When Grand Master Piddington returned to the West Coast, Shihan Shaw furthered his training with World Kickboxing Champion Keith Haflick, then with Renshi Reuben Campbell, and finally obtained his Black Belt under National AAU Champion Kyoshi Sam Justice in 1975.

Shihan Shaw has completed Seminar study with other Martial Arts greats including: Welter Weight Kickboxing Champion "Kyoshi Roger Dabney", World Renowned Jujitsu Master "Tashi Troy Price", the "Untamed Lion" himself "Grand Master Jerry C Piddington", World Weapons Champion and Master Instructor of "Kali", "Steven A Woodward", and Former World Heavy Weight Kickboxing Champion, the infamous " Joe Lewis".

Shihan Shaw was an average tournament competitor, but enjoyed competition. His competition career was ended in 1979 at the age of 19 in a Virginia State AAU Championship by a well placed side kick that detached both his retinas. He went on to place second in that Championship, however instruction was now his future.

Unwilling to give up Martial Arts, he began the "American Style Karate Team" in 1981, and produced five first generation Black Belts: Dr. John S Shurm Jr. Thomas C Overton, Daniel N Houston, and Larry K Fields, and most recently Anastasia Z Conrad, Alexander Y Burruss, and John C Beck.

Intrigued by the quality of the point fighters of the 70's, many who became World Kickboxing Champions, Shihan Shaw became an avid student of the "Tactical" point fighting game, and in 2004 published his first work "Rules of Engagement", as a guide to train his own Competiton Teams. This book is required reading for both the Regional, and US Level Competition Teams.

The American Style Karate Team US Competition Team currently holds a total of 22 NASKA (North American Sport Karate Association), National Championships and 21 runner up titles.

The American Style Karate Team Regional Competition Team currently holds a total of 15 VKA (Virginia Karate Alliance) State Championships, and 10 runner up titles in its third year.

The American Style Karate Team is affiliated with American Karate Academies National Association (AKANA), in which Shihan Shaw is a "Gold" Tomoe Warrior recipient. Shihan Shaw has most recently succeeded in the "Arrow to the Throat", and "Glass Walk" AKANA Martial Arts Mental and Physical Challenges, and conquered the "Fire Walk" on January 9, 2010, walking over coals of 1200 degrees.