Student of Harry G. Smith
W I L L I A M D U
E S S E L
William Duessel began his martial arts
training in Jujutsu in 1957, and began Isshinryu training with Harry
G. Smith in Pittsburgh in 1962, co-founding the first karate school
there. Duessel was one of the three first black belts under Harry G.
Smith. In 1964, he trained daily for three months with Master Tatsuo
Shimabuku during his visit to the United States. At this time. In 1970,
with his senior student and friend, Chuck Wallace, Duessel relocated
the dojo, forming the Academy of Isshinryu Karate. At their dojo's
peak, they had 500 students, with about 40 students attending
classes each evening. Duessel and Wallace taught full time at their
six-room dojo. In 1979, they were forced to close the dojo due to
the burdensome costs of maintaining a large school and have been
teaching out of local YMCA's ever since. In 1974, William Duessel
traveled to Okinawa to train with Tatsuo Shimabuku and Kichiro
Shimabuku. He was the last high-ranking American to train on Okinawa
while Master Tatsuo Shimabuku was still alive. He was promoted to
6th Dan by Tatsuo Shimabuku and has received his remaining ranks
from Kichiro Shimabuku.
William Duessel is the senior active
American member of the Isshinryu World Karate Association (IWKA);
his IWKA registration number is #56. He has twice co-hosted the
Isshinryu World Karate Championship in Pittsburgh in 1985 and 1992,
along with Chuck Wallace, 7th Dan. He was promoted to 9th Dan by
Master Shimabuku in 1991, making him the highest ranking black belt
in the IWKA, second only to Shimabuku. Duessel serves as the U.S.
Representative for the IWKA and is in demand to teach clinics and
seminars. He is well liked and personable and was made an honorary
member of the Isshinryu Brotherhood (IB) on July 11, 1992 for his
service and dedication to traditional Isshinryu karate. William
Duessel is currently the chief instructor at the Isshinryu Karate
Academy in Pittsburgh and continues to teach at seminars and clinics
across the country.
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