The Orange City dojo (a Honbu dojo) was first opened in 1983, by Grand Master Chester Holubecki, a 10th Degree Black Belt, when he moved to Orange City from his home in Massachusetts.
When Grand Master Holubecki returned to Massachusetts in 1996, the dojo was operated at two other locations before being reopened at 1900 North Volusia Avenue, as a “Black Belt only” dojo by local attorney, Sensei and Master John B. Crowther (Hachidan—8th degree Black Belt), in July 1998, through the generosity of Ms. Mary Parker Sizemore, herself an Isshinryu Black Belt (Nidan—2nd degree Black Belt).
In January 1999, the dojo was converted into a “full enrollment” dojo, where both Black Belts and Color Belts can train. Through the efforts of Sensei and Mrs. Crowther, the students, and many contributors and volunteers, the dojo moved to its present location at 130 May Street, on January 15, 2008.
The dojo is affiliated with the Isshinryu Network, an association of Isshinryu dojos located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Each year students from the dojo travel to various Championships to participate as competitors, judges and referees. In 1995, the dojo sponsored the American Okinawan Karate Association (A.O.K.A.) World Championships when they were held in Daytona Beach.
—The dojo was honored in 1999, when two of its members were recognized by the A.O.K.A. Hall of Fame, at the 25th Annual World Championships held in Philadelphia. Sensei Crowther was the recipient of the Outstanding Male Black Belt Award, and Howard Savage, 1st degree Brown Belt, received the Outstanding Male Student Award.
—In 2000, Sensei Crowther was selected as a Finalist for the A.O.K.A.’s Instructor of the Year Award.
—In 2003, Mr. Steven Hyde, an 18 year-old Shodan (1st degree Black Belt), was the recipient of the A.O.K.A.’s Outstanding Male Youth Black Belt Award.
—In July 2019, three of our students won six awards at the Isshinryu Hall of Fame (I.H.O.F.) Tournament held in Gatlinburg, TN, including a first place trophy in kumite and a second place trophy in hand kata (Mr. Mike Danyus, Shodan [1st degree Black Belt]); a second place trophy in kumite (Mr. Dick Dillon, Shodan [1st degree Black Belt]); and a second place trophy in hand kata, a third place trophy in weapons kata, and a fourth place trophy in kumite (Mr. Jeremy Schrimscher, Nikyu [2nd degree Brown Belt]).
—Due to the COVID-19 virus, no Isshinryu Hall of Fame Tournament was held in 2020 or 2021.
—In July 2022, five of our students won six awards at the Isshinryu Hall of Fame (IHOF) Tournament in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, including a first place trophy in hand kata (Enrique Albornoz, Shichikyu [Orange Belt]); a second place trophy in kumite, a third place trophy in hand kata, and a fourth place trophy in weapons kata (Dick Dillon, Nidan, [2nd degree Black Belt]); a third place trophy in kumite (Mike Danyus, Nidan, [2nd degree Black Belt]); a fourth place trophy in weapons kata (Marcel Comley, Yondan [4th degree Black Belt]); and a fourth place trophy in weapons kata (Gary Thornhill, Hachidan [8th degree Black Belt]).
—CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TWO SENIOR INSTRUCTORS, Master John Crowther and Master Gary Thornhill, on their promotions (August 15, 2022) to Hachidan/Kyoshi (8th degree Black Belt), and Kudan/Hanshi (9th degree Black Belt), respectively.
—CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. DICK DILLON ON HIS PROMOTION TO SANDAN (3rd degree Black Belt) THIS AFTERNOON (09/10/2022) AND HIS BEING AWARDED THE TITLE OF “SENSEI”. This is an important milestone and accomplishment for an Isshinryu blackbelt, as it identifies him or her as an Instructor, fully authorized to teach the entire Isshinryu Karate-do system to others.
—CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. MIKE DANYUS ON HIS PROMOTION TO SANDAN (3rd degree Black Belt) THIS AFTERNOON (05/06/2023) AND HIS BEING AWARDED THE TITLE OF “SENSEI”. This is an important milestone and accomplishment for an Isshinryu blackbelt, as it identifies him or her as an Instructor, fully authorized to teach the entire Isshinryu Karate-do system to others.
—CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TWO SENIOR INSTRUCTORS, Master/Kyoshi John Crowther, Hachidan (8th degree Black Belt), and Master/Hanshi Gary Thornhill, Kudan (9th degree Black Belt), who have been selected as Finalists for two major awards by the 2024 Isshinryu Hall of Fame, July 18-19, 2024, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee: Master Crowther for “The Steve Armstrong Outstanding Contribution Award”, and Master Thornhill for “The Don Nagle Sensei of Sensei Award”.
—CONGRATULATIONS TO MASTER GARY THORNHILL, the 2024 Recipient of the Isshinryu Hall of Fame’s “Don Nagle Sensei of Sensei Award”. This prestigious annual award recognized Master Thornhill’s outstanding service as an Isshinryu Sensei for over 50 years.
—CONGRATULATIONS TO MARCOS MONSERRATE, Yonkyu (purple belt), competing in three (3) events (hand kata, weapons kata, and kumite [fighting]) today (July 18, 2025), and winning all THREE (3) GOLD MEDALS, at the ISSHINRYU HALL OF FAME TOURNAMENT, in Gatlinburg, TN. Marcos bettered his 2024 accomplishments at the IHOF Tournament, when he competed in two (2) events (hand kata and kumite [fighting] winning TWO (2) GOLD MEDALS; and his performance at the 2024 BAMBOO TOURNAMENT, where he competed in two (2) events (hand kata and kumite), and won TWO (2) GOLD MEDALS. Marcos’ tournament record: Competed in THREE (3) tournaments and has won SEVEN (7) GOLD MEDALS.
—CONGRATULATIONS TO SENSEI PETER GEPILANO on his promotion this afternoon (June 7, 2025) to YONDAN (4th degree blackbelt), and his being awarded the title of “RENSHI” (meaning “polished instructor” or “polished expert). RENSHI Gepilano is my senior student, having trained with me for 20 years.
—CONGRATULATIONS TO SENSEI DICK DILLON on his promotion this afternoon (August 20, 2025) to YONDAN (4th degree blackbelt), and his being awarded the title of “RENSHI” ((meaning “polished instructor” or “polished expert). RENSHI Dillon has trained with me for 13 years.
—CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. DAN LAGRANGE on his promotion this afternoon (September 20, 2025) to SANDAN (3rd degree blackbelt belt), and his being awarded the title of “SENSEI”. This is an important milestone and accomplishment for an Isshinryu blackbelt, as it identifies him or her as an Instructor, fully authorized to teach the entire Isshinryu Karate-do system to others.
—WELCOME ABOARD TO OUR NEW STUDENT, ANDREW VASQUEZ, who joined us as a white belt on 09/24/2025. He has previously trained in Shitoryu karate, where he attained the rank of orange belt.
—WELCOME ABOARD TO OUR NEW/OLD STUDENT, STEVE STONE, who joined us on 10/02/2025, after an absence of 29 years. Steve previously trained in Isshinryu Karate with Sensei Holubecki and me at the old Orange City dojo (where the Orange City RaceTrac gas station is now located), where he attained the rank of Rokukyu (blue belt).
—CONGRATULATIONS TO MARCOS MONSERRATE on his promotion this afternoon (11/15/2025) to SANKYU (3rd degree brown belt). With his promotion, Marcos has now begun the advanced level of his training in Isshinryu Karate-do. There are two more levels of brown belt which he must successfully attain before he will be ready to test for his black belt.
—WELCOME ABOARD TO OUR NEW STUDENT, JACK VRTAR, who joined us as a white belt on 10/21/2025. This is his first time training in the martial arts.
—WELCOME TO OUR NEW STUDENT, PAUL LEE, who joined us as a white belt on 01/31/2026. He previously trained in boxing, American Kenpo, and Brazilian jiujitsu.
