About the Promoter
Shihan Chris Lohwasser
Shihan Chris Lohwasser is the owner of World Karate Academy. He holds the rank of 6th Dan recognized by The American Federation of Martial Arts, and Hanshi Jerry Mercardo. He’s also a member of the American Federation Of Martial Arts, Kodokan Federation, and The New Age Federation of Martial Arts.
Shihan Chris Lohwasser is a well rounded Martial Artist. He began his training in 1980 in a Kempo Tae Kwon Do system formed by Shidoshi Ed Gross. Shihan Chris joined AFMA in 1982 where he became a member of the New York Demo Team. In 1986, he started training with Hanshi Jerry Mercado, who is the founder of The Kempo Moo Duk Kwan system, and also studying Shotokan under Hanshi Adolfo Ennever. In 1990 He started fighting on the USA Fighting Team under the direction of Hanshi Ennever, and was coached by Soke Thomas Gettling.
Since 1990, he has competed all over the world becoming a world champion in fighting and self defense. He presently helps coach the team when they are competing. Shihan Chris has been teaching seminars all over the world teaching his signature kicks and fighting techniques, and he has just added self defense to his seminars. Before teaching seminars on his own, he worked out and took seminars with such teachers as Michael Depasquale Sr., Michael Depasquale, Jr., O’Sensei Ronald Duncan, Professor Wally Jay, Professor Willie Cayhill, Dan (the beast) Severan, Dan Innosanto, Mike Stone, Shihan Lou Ferrer, Shihan Felix Vazquez, Shihan Roberto Hernandaz, Little John Davis, Master Ernie Boggs, Shihan David James, Super foot Bill Wallace, and even Steven Seagal, just to name a few.
In 2007, Shihan Chris taught at John Olshlager's prestigious “Meet The Masters” Seminar, and he was a co-founding member of the original “Triple Threat” Seminar team, along with co-founders Soke Thomas Gettling and Sifu James Robinson. They have taught everywhere from Canada to all across the States. Shihan Chris sponsors one of the largest Marital Arts Tournaments on Long Island, The Just for Champions Tournament, which features Demos, Seminars and a Hall of Fame banquet second to none. Shihan Chris was the found of “The Reunion” Seminar series, the largest Martial Arts Seminar ever held on Long Island – with 180 participants.
In January of 2000, he was inducted into his first AFMA Hall of Fame where he re
ceived the title of Renshi (a Japanese word that means teacher or one who mastered themselves.) Since then he has also been inducted into several other Halls of Fames in recognition of his hard work and dedication to the Martial Arts. He was awarded “Best Promoter of the Year, several years in a row, as well as Silver Lifetime and Golden Lifetime awards. In December 2008, Shihan Chris received the rank of "Shihan" (a Japanese title given to ones who have distinguished themselves as teachers of teachers)
World Karate Academy (WKA) started in World Gym in 1988. Then, in 1990, with only a handful of students, the school moved to a two car garage in Manorville. Since then, Shihan Chris has moved to several locations to accommodate WKA’s growth. Shihan Chris still has students that started with him in the garage, such as Matt Emig, then just 5 years of age, and now a Multi-World Champion, Hall of Famer, and one of NASKA’s Best Competitors. Matt is still very active at World Karate Academy, where he helps coach the WKA Demo Team and set an example for students to strive towards.
World Karate Academy is located at 1 Neville Street in Center Moriches New York 11934, and Shihan Chris can be contacted at (631) 603- 9805.