William Dometrich

A Karate instructor’s first and foremost obligation is to teach new students one or two strong techniques – techniques that could be used effectively if the student was attacked.

William Dometrich

A pioneer of Chito-Ryu Karate in the United States, William Dometrich trained with Chito-Ryu founder, Tsuyoshi Chitose, and was the first non-Japanese person to do so.

William Dometrich was born on 15 March 1935, in the mountain town of Clarksburg, United States.

June 1950 saw the outbreak of the Korean War. Dometrich wanted to enlist but was too young. He enlisted the following year, joining the 187th Air Regimental Combat Team stationed in Korea.

Dometrich was stationed in 1953 at Camp Chickamauga, in Beppu City, Japan. As a trumpet player, he was a member of the regimental band.

Dometrich had always wanted to learn Karate. In 1953 he started visiting the dojo of Tsuyoshi Chitose, asking if he could train. Chitose turned him down several times, before finally accepting him as a student.

Ichiro Shirahama, a student of Chitose, was his first teacher. Shirahama was a 5th Dan in both Karate and Judo.

Dometrich trained several nights a week. However, he failed his first grading test. Out of thirteen students attempting the grading, only nine passed. This setback did not stop him from continuing to train hard.

In April 1954, Dometrich passed his 3rd kyu (brown belt) grading attempt. He graded before a panel consisting of Tsuyoshi Chitose and Gichin Funakoshi.

Dometrich was promoted to 1st Dan in 1954. He graded before a panel consisting of Chitose and Shirahama. Following his promotion, Dometrich established a Karate club at Camp Chickamauga.

On 2 December 1954, Dometrich’s tour of duty in Japan ended. As he was leaving, he was seen off by all the Japanese friends he had made, including Tsuyoshi Chitose and Ichiro Shirahama.

Dometrich was released from active duty on 22 December 1954.

On his return to the United States, Dometrich enrolled at Fairmont State College on 3 January 1955. He officially started classes on 10th January.

At Fairmont State College, Dometrich established an unofficial Karate club on 6 February. His first class attracted 37 students. However, because he was used to teaching soldiers, he lost many of these students because of his tough teaching methods. He knew he had to change his way of teaching.

On 6 June 1955 Dometrich married Barbara Webster. They had started dating six weeks earlier. Now having a family to support, Dometrich dropped out of college.

On 9 May 1956, William Dometrich II was born.

In May 1957, Dometrich and his family moved to Cincinnati, due to his work. Unfortunately, because of work and family commitments, his Karate practice stopped.

Dometrich’s father died from a heart attack in September 1959. He was aged only 56.

On 11 January 1960 Dometrich resumed his Karate training. He trained at home and at the local YMCA. He also joined Harvie Eubank and Raymond Hughes as partners in running the Yudan School of Self Defence.

However, on one December 1961, Dometrich, Eubank, and Hughes decided to close their small club, due to growing work commitments.

The following year Dometrich established a small dojo in the basement of one of his students. Around this time his wife Barbara also started training. She would eventually become known as the Mother of American Chito-Ryu.

In June 1962, Dometrich relocated his dojo to a bingo hall in the Covington area of Cincinnati. He taught classes three days a week. However, several months later he relocated to the building next door, which was only used for teaching Karate.

Having resumed his training several years earlier, Dometrich contacted Tsuyoshi Chitose. On 3 February 1963, he received a response from Chitose, indicating that he could affiliate with him. Also, Dometrich’s certificates that he had that had been stolen would be re-issued. He also received a teacher certificate to teach Chito-Ryu Karate in the United States.

Chitose also informed Dometrich that he had promoted him to 4th Dan and that he also got in contact with Mas Tsuroka, who was the official Chito-Ryu representative in Canada.

Dometrich renamed his Covington dojo to the Kushin-Kan. His Doja was open to all. In May 1963 Willie Stewart began training at the dojo. He was a black man. Several of Dometrich’s existing students stopped training with him because he accepted a black man as his student.

In June 1963, Dometrich travelled to Toronto, Canada to train with Mas Tsuroka. He took his students Albert Johnson and Randy Goodhew with him.

Dometrich and several of his students competed at the Canadian Karate championships. Mas Tsuroka sponsored the tournament.

On 21 November 1963, Sherry Lynn Dometrich was born.

William Dometrich was sworn in as a Covington Police Officer on 24 February 1964.

On 30 May 1964, Dometrich held his first Karate tournament. The tournament received support from Mas Tsuroka, Ansei Ueshiro, and Jim Wax. Bob Yarnell won the tournament.

Dometrich began cross-training with Shinichi Kumanameido, a Gensei-Ryu practitioner in 1965.

On 3 August 1965, Dometrich met Devorah Wear, who was present at a car accident he had been called to. She recognised them and approached them enquiring about Karate classes.

Devorah, who was 14, had been challenged by two boys to train at Dometrich’s dojo. She accepted the challenge and enrolled at the dojo.

Dometrich and his wife Barbara took an immediate liking to Devorah. She had a natural talent for Karate. Over time the couple and the young girl formed a strong bond. They eventually adopted Devorah.

In May 1966, the 1st National Karate Championships was held at the United States Armory in Washington DC. Jhoon Rhee organised the event. Devorah Dometrich became the first women’s National Karate Champion. She won both the kata and kumite events. She was still a white belt and had been training for a year.

In 1966 Tsuyoshi Chitose promoted William Dometrich to 5th Dan. However, Dometrich felt he was not good enough, so he didn’t tell anyone, apart from his wife.

During Mas Tsuroka’s Canadian Championships in October 1966, Tsukoka announced that Dometrich had been promoted to 5th Dan by Chitose.

Always looking to improve his Karate knowledge, Dometrich travelled to Philadelphia in January 1967, to train with Teruyuki Okazaki. Okazaki, a Shotokan practitioner, was assisted by Keinosuke Enoeda, and Katsuya Kisaka. He also visited the Shorin-Ryu dojo of Yamagami Sensei.

In September 1967, Tsuyoshi Chitose and his student Mamoru Yamamoto travelled to Canada, to visit Mas Tsuroka. Dometrich, his wife, and 42 students travelled to Toronto to train with Chitose.

After his Canadian visit, Tsuyoshi Chitose was hosted in Covington by Dometrich. He requested that Dometrich change the dojo name from Kushin-Kan to Yoseikan, which was the name of his school in Japan. He also asked that Dometrich establish an organisation to represent Chito-Ryu Karate in the United States.

Dometrich was faced with the challenge of building an organisation from scratch.

Dometrich’s first Karate teacher, Ichiro Shirahama died from cancer in 1967.

In 1968 Dometrich travelled to Canada nine times to visit and train with Mas Tsuroka.

On 20 December 1968, Kazunori Kawakita, a student of Mamoru Yamamoto, arrived in Cincinnati to help with training at the Yoseikan dojo. His contract was for one year.

Kawakita was a 4th Dan and a 5-time All Southern Japan Kumite Champion. A tough teacher, the kumite standard at the dojo improved. However, membership at the dojo fell because of his tough teaching.

On 15 September 1970, Dometrich was involved in a traffic accident. During a police chase, his motorcycle was hit head-on by a car. His left knee was shredded and he required an operation. He returned to work after five weeks and was assigned office duties.

Dometrich was promoted to 6th Dan in March 1971. Two months later, he was promoted to Sergeant in the Covington Police Department.

On one August 1971, Dometrich relocated to a new dojo.

Dometrich, his wife, and several students travelled to Tokyo, Japan in October 1971. They had the opportunity to visit the dojo of Gogen Yamaguchi. They also travelled to Kumamoto, where they trained with Tsuyoshi Chitose.

During the visit to Kumamoto, Dometrich was promoted to 7th Dan by Tsuyoshi Chitose. He also received the title of Kyoshi. His wife, Barbara was promoted to 2nd Dan.

Dometrich and his touring party continued their travels to Kita Kyushu, where they visited the dojo of Mamoru Yamamoto. Following their visit, they return to Tokyo. Dometrich met with Mas Oyama, who he had previously met ten years earlier at a tournament in New York.

In 1972 Dometrich started teaching a Karate course at Thomas Moore College. His first class drew 44 students. The following year he started teaching a Karate course at Northern Kentucky University. His first class attracted 133 students.

On 13 April 1973, Dometrich became a member of the AAU Karate. By this time he had five clubs.

Tsuyoshi Chitose and his assistant, Hidemichi Kugizaki, visited the United States in May 1973. A tournament was held in Chitose’s honour. Over 3000 spectators were in attendance. Mas Tsuroka, Yukinori Kugimiya, Shane Higashi, Shojiro Sugiyama, Takayoshi Nagamine, and Kiyoshi Nishime, came to pay their respects to Chitose. During the tournament, Chitose gave a demonstration.

In December 1973, Dometrich contracted pneumonia and had to be hospitalised. He had to stay in hospital for several weeks. It was found that he had developed chronic acute bronchial asthma.

Dometrich was promoted to Lieutenant in the Covington Police Department. By this time he had been with the police force for around ten years. Three years later he was promoted to Captain and became the Chief of Detectives.

In 1979 Dometrich re-enlisted in the Army Reserves. This was mainly due to the Iranian Hostage Crisis. He was assigned to military intelligence.

Between 25-26 January 1980, the 1st Kangeiko (winter training) was held for the US Chito-Ryu. The training aimed to build spirit within a karateka.

In October 1982 Tsuyoshi Chitose travelled to the United States for the last time. He was aged 84. A special event was held for him in the United States and during his visit to Canada.

On 4 January 1984, Dometrich enrolled at the FBI National Academy, at Quantico, Virginia. At 49 he was the oldest applicant but was in good shape for his age. This was mainly due to his Karate practice. He graduated from Quantico on 23 March.

Tsuyoshi Chitose died in a Kumamoto hospital on 5 June 1984. His son, Yasuhiro, succeeded him as the head of the Chito-Kai. Shane Higashi informed Dometrich of Tsuyoshi Chitose’s death. Chitose had been a father figure to Dometrich.

Dometrich was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police in November 1984.

In April 1986 Dometrich had reconstructive knee surgery. In June of that year, he resigned from the Covington Police Department.

On 2 November 1986, the International Chito-Ryu Soke cup was held in Kumamoto, Japan. Dometrich, his wife Barbara, and 25 students travelled to the tournament. Following the tournament, Dometrich, his wife and seven students travelled to Okinawa to visit Takasyoshi Nagamine and his father Shoshin.

Dometrich and his students had the opportunity to demonstrate Chito-Ryu Karate to Shoshin Nagamine and his students. They also visited the oldest son of Tsuyoshi Chitose, who had been paralysed whilst serving as a policeman.

On 23 July 1987, Dometrich returned to active army duty, for three years as a sergeant. He was assigned to the 11th Special Forces Group, based at Bowman Field in Louisville. After several months he established the Beikoku Heitei Yoseikan dojo at Bowman Field.

On 2 August 1990, dictator, Saddam Hussein, ordered his Iraqi army to invade the neighbouring country of Kuwait. This was on the day Dometrich’s three-year enlistment was due to end. However, his enlistment was extended.

Dometrich was honourably discharged from the army on 27 October 1993. He became a Deputy Sheriff in Boone County, Kentucky.

On 27 July 1994, four of Dometrich’s students presented him with a letter, asking him to resign as the head of the US Chito-Ryu. Three days later, at a monthly Executive Committee meeting of all the branch dojos, all but one of their attendees voted to keep them as the US Chito-Ryu head.

August 1997 marked the 50th anniversary of the Okinawan Karate Federation. Dometrich, George Van Horne, and James Davenport travelled to Okinawa for the event. During the visit, they travelled to Kumamoto, where they went to the grave of Tsuyoshi Chitose to pay their respects.

In May 1998 Dometrich was accepted as a member of the Dai Nippon Butokukai. It is one of the largest martial arts organisations in Japan. Patrick McCarthy put forward his name.

On 4 October 1998, Dometrich and five of his students, including his daughter, Sherry Lynn, gave a Chito-Ryu demonstration to 22 ranking members of the Dai Nippon Butokukai, at the old Dominion University, in Norfolk, Virginia.

On 9 October 1999, Dometrich’s Hombu dojo in Covington, host of the clinic for the Dai Nippon Butokukai members, Hiroyuki Tesshin Hamada, the Chairman of the International section of the Dai Nippon Butokukai, was the guest instructor. Dometrich and Ken Tallack assisted him. Dometrich was also promoted to 8th Dan and given the title Hanshi.

By 2001 Dometrich was having problems with his knees. On 3 January 2001 he had a knee replacement operation. He stayed in the hospital for a week. Unfortunately, complications led to him being laid up at home for over four months.

In October 2001 a national seminar and banquet was held to celebrate Dometrich’s 50th anniversary in martial arts. Over 200 people attended the event.

Dometrich, his wife, and 21 students travelled to Kyoto, Japan, for the World Butoku-sai, in May 2002. They performed demos in front of the Imperial Royal Family of Japan, and senior members of the Dai Nippon Butokukai.

Due to his many years of service, Dometrich was given the key to his hometown of Clarksburg.

In November 2004, Dometrich, his wife, and 44 students travelled to Norfolk Virginia for the World Butoku-sai. They gave a Karate demonstration. At the closing ceremony, Dometrich was awarded a silver cup for the outstanding demonstration of Karate by his students. At the closing banquet, he was inducted into the Dai Nippon International Hall of Fame for Karate.

Dometrich celebrated his 70th birthday on 15 March 2005. Celebrations were held for him at the Hombu dojo by his family and students. Some of his students had trained with him for over 30 years.

On 6 June 2005, Dometrich and his wife Barbara, celebrated 50 years of marriage. A party was hosted by his daughters Devorah and Sherry Lynn.

The 3rd World Butoku-sai was held in Kyoto, Japan, on 30 April 2008. Dometrich was promoted to 9th Dan by the Dai Nippon Butoku-Kai.

William Dometrich died on 22 March 2012. He was aged 77. He was survived by his wife, Barbara, his daughters, Devorah and Sherry Lynn, and his three grandchildren. He was buried at Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell, close to his son William Joseph, who had died several years earlier.

Dometrich can rightly be considered a pioneer of Karate in the United States. His dedication to service in the army and police gave him the determination to learn Karate and help to transmit what he had learned to his students.