STEVE ARMSTRONG

Steve Armstrong was born in Guymon, Oklahoma on September 22, 1931. He began studying Karate at the age of 16. He served in the U.S. Marines, in Japan, the Korean War, the Presidential Honor Guard for Harry Truman, and finally, in Okinawa, Japan.  It was there, on Okinawa that he met and trained with Tatsuo Shimabuku, the founder of Isshinryu Karate. Armstrong trained intensively with Shimabuku for the duration of his tour.  

Upon returning to the United States, Sensei Armstrong established the Isshinryu Karate School in his garage It was 1961. Eventually, he moved the school to South Tacoma, Washington. He eventually expanded into several locations, including a few of the Colleges and Universities in Washington state area.

Sensei Steve Armstrong became one of the leading instructors in Isshinryu karate in the United States. When Tatsuo Shimabuku made his second and last trip to the United States in 1966, Shimabuku spent time with Steve in Tacoma. The famous 1966 footage of Sensei Shimabuku demonstrating all of the Isshinryu kata was filmed in Steve Armstrongs dojo.

Master Armstrong was a pioneer is organizing and hosting large Karate tournaments, throughout the U.S. He was good friends with Chuck Norris, who is credited with helping Armstrong create “the Standard”, a fighting drill still practiced by Armstrong-lineage students. Armstrong met and worked for Elvis Presley, as a bodyguard.

Steve was inducted into the Isshinryu Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1988, Armstrong traveled to Europe to helped  Sensei Fred van de Vijver with establishing the  Netherlands Isshinryu Karate Association

Sensei Armstrong was instrumental in helping build the foundation of Isshinryu Karate in the United States, specifically in Washington State.  Many students have been influenced and inspired by him through the years.

Sensei Steve Armstrong passed away on November 15, 2006