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Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame |
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| Bob T. "Butch" Hill
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As
a birthday present to himelf, Butch Hill began his study of Isshinryu
March 16, 1975 at the Karate School of Nashville which was operated by Mr.
Denny Shaffer and Mr. Phil McElroy. He arrived at the dojo riding his
"Harley" supporting long hair, a beard and earring. Bets were
taken on just hold long he would last. Mr. Hill worked
nights at his job with the U. S. Postal Service and attended day classes.
By the time he had made Green Belt, Mr. Hill had demonstrated sufficient
leadership skills that he was called on to help teach classes. He has
always been able to balance his commitment between his family, his job,
and Isshinryu. |
During Mr. Hill's years
as a tournament competitor he won many trophies in both open and Isshinryu
events; he is remembered by all who fought him as a fierce competitor who always
treated his opponent and the officials with respect. As he advanced through the
ranks, he began to give more and more back to the art. He not only demonstrated
some excellent fighting techniques, he also became very involved in studying the
katas and finding new bunkai for each of the moves. His motto is, "You need
to use the vehicle of fighting to get to the higher aspects of Martial
Arts".
After his competition
years were behind him he continued to demonstrate superior fighting skills in
the dojo. The students who had a sincere interest in learning became part of
"Team Nashville" which continues to excel at tournaments to this day.
Mr. Hill has taught and influenced such competitors as David Gabbard, Tony
Williams and Sandra Strong.
Mr. Hill continues to
serve on the International Isshinryu Karate Association Board of Directors and
has also served on the Isshinryu Hall of Fame Board of Directors. He has served
as Tournament Director at most of the I.I.K.A. sanctioned tournaments for
several years as well as the Hall of Fame Tournament.
One of Mr. Hill's main
contributions to Isshinryu has been bringing together diverse Isshinryu
practitioners. He has taken time off from his busy schedule to travel across
this nation working with the leaders of other organizations and teaching
seminars to independent schools which had no organizational ties.
In addition to all the
accomplishments mentioned above, Mr. Hill has studied the art of Jujitsu and has
been promoted to Dan rank in this art. He has used his jujitsu training to
explain and expand upon Isshinryu techniques.
Mr. Hill has founded a
self defense school based on the tenets of Isshinryu. At this school, Mr. Hill
also teaches firearms and knife training. He is an NRA certified instructor in
Home Firearm Safety, Basic Pistol and Personal Protection. His training school
is certified by the state of Tennessee to teach the state handgun carry permit
class in six Middle Tennessee cities.
Twenty-four years seems
like a short time to accomplish all of this, but Mr. Hill has made Isshinryu the
main focus of his life. He has passed on to young men and women the proven
skills and techniques that Master Shimabuku intended from his inception of this
art so many years ago.
Webmaster@isshinryu.nxs.net.
Copyright © 1997 Isshin-Ryu Hall Of Fame, Inc. All rights reserved.
Revised: July 06, 2008.
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