Shihan Julius Thiry

8th degree black belt certification awarded by The USA National Karate-do Federation (USA-NKF)

• 8th degree black belt certification and “Shihan” designation in Hayashi-Ha Shito-ryu awarded by Founder and teacher, Soke Teuro Hayashi.
• International Karate-do Hayashi ha Shito-ryu Federation, Founder
• World Karate Federation (WKF) certified Judge and Referee and Executive Committee Member for Referee Council
• Pan American Federation (PKF) Judge and Referee
• Referee Council Chair
• Vice President PKF
• Member, United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Board of Directors
• Founder, USA National Governing Body for the sport of Karate
• President USA-NKF
• Executive Director USA-NKF
• USA NKF Hall of Fame
• Outstanding Citizen Awards: 4
• Congressional Awards: 5
• AAU sport chair/Washington State
• Committee for Asian Games, Member
• Committee for Goodwill Games/Washington, Member
• Doctorate degree in Sport Science
• Recognition for contribution: 2 USA Presidents, 6 State Governors

Community Involvement has included:

• Chair of four non-profit organizations in the state of Washington
• Member of three charitable institutions in the State of Washington, Committee Chair: 2
• International Sport Liaison: Goodwill Championships

Julius Thiry is CEO of JT Investment Company, a privately held development company, in the State of Washington where he resides with his wife and family.

Senior Senseis

Ballard Dojo

Sensei Mathew Day

• 5 years on the USA National Team
• Gold medalist North American Cup, representing the USA
• 3 time Men’s National Kumite Champion, -70 Kg, 1994,1995,1998
• USA-NKF Athlete Advisor to the referee council
• International kata and kumite referee
• Chairman of the Washington Karate Association organizing committee
• Member of the Washington Karate Association, 22 years, Full Time
  Instructor, Washington Karate Association 18 years
• Employee of the Washington Karate Association, 20 years

Bellevue Dojo

Sensei Junko Arai

• Education: University of Washington, B.A. in Society and Justice,1998
• Years in Karate: 15
• Certifications: CPR and Industrial First Aid
• Nidan in Hayashi-ha Shito-ryu
• Nidan certification from the USA-NKF
• Member of Washington Karate Association for 21 years.
• Instructor of Washington Karate Association for 9 years
• 10 years on USA National Team
  United States Olympic Committee Athlete of the Year
• 8 time National Champion
• 19 International Medals representing USA
• Graduate, University of Washington

Accolades include:

• USA National Karate-Do Federation Athlete of the Year

Other positions include:

• USA National Karate-Do Federation Athlete Representative to the Board of Directors
• Athlete Representative (alternate), United States Olympic Committee
• USA National Karate-Do Federation Athlete Representative to the Board of Directors
• National Judge (Referee B) Certification

Tacoma Dojo

Sensei Charles Sweigart

• Training since 1989
• Shodan Hayashi-Ha Shito Ryu in 1990
• Nidan in 1996
• Nidan USANKF in 1996
• CPR and Industrial First Aid certification

Accolades include:

• Sr. men's National Champion 1995-97

Other positions include:

• USANKF National Referee
• PKF Referee
• WKF Judge A
• Chief Referee Washington RSO
• National and regional medallist in kumite and kata

Related resources

• Other Sensei's in the WKA
• Senior Black Belts in WKA