Sensei
Dale Kirby Nanadan |
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Dale Kirby is the owner and operator of Kirby’s Karate Academy
and sets on the Board of Directors and Examination Board for the
U.S. Eastern Wado-Ryu Federation. The following is a brief capsule
of his many achievements:
Kirby began his martial arts in
1966 with Judo in West Palm Beach, Fl. He was a Staff Sergeant
(E-6) and parachute instructor in the U. S. Army Airborne School,
plus on the U. S. Army Parachute Team with over 1,000 free fall
jumps. Prior to this, he was a point man with the 101st Airborne
Division in Vietnam (1967&1968). He was in 12 combat air
assaults and received the Bronze Star for Valor and the Army
Commendation medal for Valor. His unit was awarded the
Presidential Unit Citation for Valor during the Tet Offensive of
1968.
Mr. Kirby received his B.A. from
Florida Atlantic University in Experimental Psychology and
Elementary Education. He received his Masters Degree in Exercise
Science from Middle Tennessee State University. He has been a
public school teacher since 1973. He has written 4 books and been
in 5 musical videos.
Kirby began his Wado-Ryu
training in 1973 under Mr. Taylor Hayden (7th-Dan). He is Sensei
Hayden’s senior black Belt. In 1981, he was the U. S. National
Weapons Champion (Karate Illustrated Magazine).
From
1978-1986, he was rated in the top 5 in weapons in the U. S. In
1985 & 1986, he was rated 2nd Nationally in senior free
fighting.
Mr. Kirby has also trained in Japan
and the U. S. under master instruction of Iai-do, Kendo, Aikijutsu
and Kenjutsu. He received his Renshi License in Iai-do from the
International Martial Arts Federation in 1986 and presently holds
the rank of 6th Dan. He is a Sho-Dan in Kendo under Master N.
Kita, has trained with Master Ohtsuka at his home dojo for 3 weeks
in 1986 and holds a rank of 4th Dan in Muso Shindo Jodo under
Master Kai of Hakata City (Japan). During his studies in Japan
(1984 & 1986) he trained under Grand Master Sugino of Katori
Shinto Ryu.
His wife Leslie, is a Ni-Dan and
his son, Dr. D. Scott Kirby, Jr. (cardiologist) is a San-Dan in
Wado-Ryu. His daughter Paige has a Masters Degree in Sociology.
His step son Robert Gill, is a Sho-Dan in Wado-Ryu.
Mr.
Dale Kirby is just another example of talent that helps run the U.
S. Eastern Wado-Ryu Federation.
Thanks Sensei Kirby...for being Team Wado-Ryu!
