Sensei Fred Serricchio

WTKO Honorary Chairman and Chief Instructor of the Connecticut Karate Association, one of the founding members of the WTKO, Sensei Serricchio started training in JKA karate 1958. Over the past 45 years sensei Serricchio has traveled extensively to train with some of the worlds finest karate masters, including Master Nishyama, Master Nakayama, Master Enoeda and Master Kanazawa.

Until 2001, he trained under JKA 8th dan Masataka Mori of New York City. As an active competitor he participated in tournaments across the United States, winning and placing in a variety of events. For a period during the 1970s he was a dominant tournament fighter on the east coast as a member of the North Atlantic Karate Association (JKA). Sensei Serricchio is a Certified Instructor in the JKA Shotokan Karate-do America, the governing body for JKA karate in the United States.

In 2001, 7th dan Sensei Serricchio decided on a new direction: along with a number of senior JKA instructors, he helped found the World Traditional Karate Organization, where he is a Certified Instructor, Examiner, and Judge.   In his role as Chairman he travels extensively to meet with various WTKO members around the world and to conduct international seminars. 

In 2006, Sensei Fred Serricchio was honored by the International Shotokan-ryu Karate-do Shihankai (ISKS) with the shogo (title) of Renshi. The ISKS is a non-profit international agency that certifies high ranking Shotokan practitioners. The shogo of Renshi bestowed upon Sensei Serricchio is awarded only to those above the rank of 6th dan who have been elected by a majority of ISKS members. The technical committee that awards the shogos does so at its own discretion by majority election. 

Sensei Fred Serricchio is also a practitioner of Aikido and Iaido at the Stamford Center for Martial Arts.  These two art forms have  further expanded his vast knowledge and experience in the Martial Arts.

 

 

 

 

 

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Sensei Ed Van Veen

5th dan Sensei Van Veen began training in 1979 under Sensei Fred Serricchio and continues this relationship with him to date. He was rated as a class B instructor in 1993 through the JKA Shotokan Karate-do America under Sensei Masataka Mori.

He was the 1st place winner for both kata and kumite at the 2000 SKDA championships and was also voted “Best Male Athlete” at the 1998 and 2000 championships. He fought on the 3rd place USA kumite team at the Gichin Funakoshi Invitational World Championships held in Bath, England October 2000. He was a member the World Championship Team placing 1st for the USA at the WTKO World Traditional Championship Tournament held in New York in April 2001. 

Mr. Van Veen is the Chief Instructor for the Norwalk Community College Karate Program. “Being on the executive committee for the WTKO and creating an association with such an exceptional group of senior karateka has been not only inspirational but also very enjoyable, and I look forward to being a part of the expansion and preservation of this wonderful art form.”