IKKU Camp Award Commemorates Shihan Dai Nadine Oka

Shihan Dai Oka Memorialized on the Most Outstanding Kobudo Award

The Most Outstanding Kobudo Award

The IKKU executive leadership board commemorated Shihan Dai Nadine Oka during our 2022 IKKU summer camp banquet ceremony on Saturday, June 11, 2022, by memorializing her name on the coveted Most Outstanding Kobudo Award.

This marks the first time in IKKU history that a female karateka has been recognized and honored with a significant memorial imprint of this caliber. This proves just how much of an impact that Shihan Dai Nadine made in all of our lives and how her passion, love, and kobudo spirit inspired the leaders of our organization.

Shihan Dai Oka, no stranger to a set of Tonfa, had gathered quite an extensive collection of Tonfa kata over the years, as her love for the weapon never dissipated. I remember watching Shihan Dai Nadine humbly ask for Tonfa kata for years until she had a deep collection of kata, an expert-level understanding of the weapon, and a knowledge of how to handle it effectively in a traditional manner.

In light of recent events, it seems fitting that Nadine Oka be recognized with this honor.

Most of our organization will have memories of Shihan Dai Nadine at Seminars and Camps, teaching Tonfa to groups of willing participants. The youth would soak up the time with her, and she would happily drill them until exhaustion. Everyone happy from the day’s efforts would later gather for food, drink, and sharing, like the family we have all become.

The time and camaraderie with Nadine in our circle were always filled with cheer, smiles, and laughter. These cherished memories will last a lifetime, and the Most Outstanding Kobudo Award is now embodied with Shihan Dai Nadine’s eternal kobudo spirit.

Additional IKKU Information:

Don’t forget our upcoming event, which is the 2022 IKKU Annual Black Belt Test. The event is scheduled for September 24, 2022, in Social Circle, GA, hosted by Hanshi Ron Downton of Tora Shin Karate Kai.

For information about joining the IKKU—International Karate Kobudo Union—please visit our IKKU Registration Page. We welcome new members to our organization and have 6-10 scheduled events each year. This will allow you direct access to Soke Joseph Ruiz, the founder of the IKKU, and other High-Dan Instructors from the IKKU.

For a full listing of upcoming scheduled sessions, please visit our Events Page. Here we showcase our upcoming Clinics, Camps, and other opportunities for engagement with the IKKU.