| Karl Kazuo Hovey was born in 1951 Okinawa, Japan.
He learned karate in the true Okinawan tradition of the “Esu”
family. His uncle Shinji was his first instructor. At the age of
seven, Master Hovey studied Kempo Karate-Do and Judo at the Okinawan
Koza police school. Later he studied Judo and Okinawan Goju-Ryu
at the Naha Air Force Base.
While still in his teens, 1967 Master Hovey moved to the United
States. He began training in Isshin Ryu Karate under Gunnery Sergeant
Donald F. Bohan at HQ Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. In
1972 He open first Dojo HQMC Quantico. 1973 he moved to Fredericksburg,
VA. He opens another dojo. At that time sport karate was in its
heyday and he quickly learned that in order to expose the art
of karate one must love it with a passion but still bring himself
down to a level everyone understands-competition!
Master Hovey wasted no time in winning every major tournament
he entered. His kata is superb, and his sparring (kumite) is enthusiastic.
In 1973 at East Cost Armed Forces Karate Tournament in Dover,
Delaware, Master Hovey took home every honor awarded. At that
tournament he placed first in kata, weapons, demonstration, sparring
(kumite) and also won the coveted “Best Spirited Karate-Ka
Award.” There were more than 350 competitors at the tournament.
In 1974 Master Hovey suffered a trauma to his knee, causing
severe pain and difficulty in performing. After surgery and rehabilitation,
he was back competing and progressed quickly and efficiently to
his present level. In 1975 he again won “Best Spirited Karate-Ka
Award” over 200 other competitors in Knoxville, Tennessee
at a tournament sponsored by Grand Master Harold Long.
Master Hovey has been inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame
twice; first in the Masters division in July of 1997 and second
in the Most Distinguished Masters Division in 1999. These nominations
were both at the recommendation of Professor Ed Brown. In August
1997, Master Hovey was one of 1,500 competitors at the Okinawa
Karate and Kobudo World tournament in Okinawa. He placed sixth
in his division.
Master Hovey produced the first Isshinryu Interactive Guide
in 1998, which provides computer users with an interactive multimedia
product to enhance their studies. Master Hovey also assisted with
the production of a book about the martial arts in Puerto Rico
in February 1999. In 2001 Grand Master Angi Uezu and Master George
Iberl inducted him in Okinawa Isshin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Association
Hall of Fame.
On July 5, 2002 Grand Master Angi Uezu awarded 8th Dan in Isshinryu
Karate to Master Hovey. He also holds the following ranks, 6th
dan in American Kempo given by Dr. Ron Cherry, 5th dan in Sakugawa
Koshiki Shorinji Ryu Karate by Kyoshi Thomas Cauley and 1st dan
in the Bando Association by Dr.Muang Gi
Master Hovey’s dojo is currently with Stafford County
Parks and Recreation and Quantico Marine Corps Base both in Virginia.
The focus on training there is to develop serious students of
karate. . Master Hovey’s philosophy of karate is from Isshinryu,
the one heart method.
A special thanks to Sensei Wayne Wayland for writing Master Hovey
Biography and presenting us with an album of pictures that illustrates
Master Hovey's Martial Arts career. See
the Album Here
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