John Roseberry
John Roseberry is the founder and would serve as chief director of of Shorei-Shobukan Karate. He was a student of Seikichi Toguchi. He has trained at the Academy of Sho-Rei-Shobu-Kan Karate Judo & Aikido. He is the first non-Asian to have received black belts in both Judo and Karate. He is the second African-American to have left Asia with a black belt in Judo. He was a pioneer of Okinawan Martial Arts in America. He would serve in the Vietnam and Korean War. John would serve as a keynote speaker for the Syracuse Veterans Service Association.
Martial arts history
Roseberry was originally a member of the Marine Boxing Team. Roseberry has been training in judo and karate since 1955. He started training Karate in 1956. John was introduced to Goju from his friend Joe White (the first African-American black belt in Goju) John Roseberry at the age of 21 was one of the first individuals to introduce pure Okinawan karate to the United States. He received his 3rd dan in 1963. He defeated E.H. Cates to become the overall winner at the 1964, 7th All Marine Judo Championships held in San Diego. John would compete at 205lbs. He was an alternate on the 1964 US Judo Olympic Team. In addition he was a seven time All Marine Corp Champion , and three time All Service Champion. He also developed the Gakusei kata. John believes that Aikido and Karate have a strong connection.
Teaching
He currently holds a 9th degree black belt in karate (10th degree in Goju-Ryu), 7th degree black belt in judo and a third degree black belt in aikido. In 1997, he received his 9th Dan from the United States Karate Alliance. John started Goju as a student of Seikichi Toguchi, and began teaching Goju Ryu at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois. In 1995, Roseberry won the "Russ White Memorial Sport Director of the Year" for the Cornhusker State Games. He would teach his students forms of Goju-Ryu Karate. He operates a worldwide organization that consists of 28 member dojo. <ref name="google.com2"/>
Martial arts history
Roseberry was originally a member of the Marine Boxing Team. Roseberry has been training in judo and karate since 1955. He started training Karate in 1956. John was introduced to Goju from his friend Joe White (the first African-American black belt in Goju) John Roseberry at the age of 21 was one of the first individuals to introduce pure Okinawan karate to the United States. He received his 3rd dan in 1963. He defeated E.H. Cates to become the overall winner at the 1964, 7th All Marine Judo Championships held in San Diego. John would compete at 205lbs. He was an alternate on the 1964 US Judo Olympic Team. In addition he was a seven time All Marine Corp Champion , and three time All Service Champion. He also developed the Gakusei kata. John believes that Aikido and Karate have a strong connection.
Teaching
He currently holds a 9th degree black belt in karate (10th degree in Goju-Ryu), 7th degree black belt in judo and a third degree black belt in aikido. In 1997, he received his 9th Dan from the United States Karate Alliance. John started Goju as a student of Seikichi Toguchi, and began teaching Goju Ryu at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois. In 1995, Roseberry won the "Russ White Memorial Sport Director of the Year" for the Cornhusker State Games. He would teach his students forms of Goju-Ryu Karate. He operates a worldwide organization that consists of 28 member dojo. <ref name="google.com2"/>
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