About Us

Philippi Martial Arts Academy Black Belt Instructors

Kyoshi David B. Wolfe

David Wolfe began his studies of martial arts in early August, 1966 in Philippi, West Virginia under Kos Yokota and Earl Smith. They both held black belts in Kodokan Judo and karate. Yokota Sensei had trained in the Koyamakan Karate, Shotokan Karate and Goju-ryu Karate styles. Smith Sensei had trained in Shotokan karate and Karaho kempo.

Wolfe Sensei broadened his martial arts training in 1968 training in Shotokai Karate with Sam Boyd Sensei, Isshin-ryu Karate with James Moribato Sensei, Shorin-ryu Karate with Eugene Thorner, and Judo with Phil Porter.

In 1970, Wolfe Sensei trained with Ben Campbell and Donn Draeger in Judo and with Shimizu Takeji in Shindo Muso ryu Jodo, hojo-jutsu, and kenjutsu. Mr. Wolfe then began training with Denis R. Decker, in kempo and Pailum kung-fu.

Master Decker, in turn, arranged for Mr. Wolfe to study Pailum kung-fu with Grandmaster Daniel K. Pai. Mr. Wolfe was tested and graded to 1st level sifu in 1972 by Grandmaster Pai. In 1973, Grandmaster Pai tested and graded Mr. Wolfe to 2nd level sifu in Pailum. Wolfe sensei currently is 7th Dan and is graded as Kyoshi.

Renshi Jeff Walters

In 1986, Mr. Walters moved to West Virginia and began training in Koyamakan Karate. Prior to this, Mr. Walters trained under Kyoshi Frank Hargrove of Hampton,Virginia from 1973 until 1986.

During his time training with Kyoshi Wolfe, he worked his way through the ranks. In 1998, Mr. Walters was tested and graded to Yondan, 4th degree black belt, and was awarded the teaching title of 'Renshi'.

On July 31st, 2002 Mr. Walters was tested and graded to Godan, 5th Degree black belt.

Other activities:

--Mr. Walters is Sergeant for the Philippi Police Department in Philippi, West Virginia, and has been an officer since 1995.

--Certified Police Defensive Tactics Instructor in the State of West Virginia

--Certified by The Monadnock Training Council as a Police Rigid and Expandable Baton Instructor

--Certified by the F.B.I. as a Police Instructor

--Member of the Association for the School of the Martial Arts

Sensei Linnea Walters

In October 2000, Linnea Walters began her training with Renshi Jeff Walters. Mrs. Walters has dedicated the past six years to karate and the Philippi Martial Arts Academy. She studied her teachers and began training as a student instructor.

On August 5, 2002, Mrs. Walters was promoted to Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt under Kyoshi David Wolfe, Nanadan, and Renshi Jeff Walters, Godan.

Sensei Walters received her promotion during the A.S.M.A. Masters Show in Morgantown, West Virginia, immediately following her performance with Renshi Walters.

During the rank presentation, Shihan Oscar Alicea presented Sensei Walters with his personal Black Belt. Koyamakan Karate Association President and Chief Instructor of the Philippi Martial Arts Academy, Kyoshi David Wolfe, presented Sensei Walters with her Yudansha certificate, which was signed not only by Kyoshi Wolfe and Renshi Walters, but also by all the Masters present that week, including Hanshi Ronald Lindsey, Hachi Dan, Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karatejutsu and Matsumura Hakutsuru Karatejutsu.

Sensei Sally Yeager

Sensei Michael Moore

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