Gilbert, Arizona Karate Instructor Receives Awards

Soke Hausel hugs two of his favorite people. Karate instructors - Sensei Paula Borea and O'Sensei Bill Borea - 
at the Arizona Hombu in Mesa.

What does it mean to be a 'traditional' karate instructor? Ask any person who trains in martial arts about their instructor(s). Plan to sit down and listen for awhile because they are going to tell you about all of the stories. Our first karate instructors along with some later ones are branded into our minds. We see them like our grandfathers or grandmothers, or a favorite uncle. The thoughts of these people are almost always favorable as they influenced our lives in one way or another. There will always be many stories. Such people must be ethical, moral, and show concern for their students; otherwise they might leave that nasty taste of Cobra Kai in one's mind. We need to remember these mentors as our personal Mr. Miyagi. A person who is willing to do most anything to help his/hers ethical students in life.  Yes, because of the lineage of martial arts, they are liken to monks. 

HALL OF FAME MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR Grandmaster Hausel of Gilbert, Arizona has received many awards for teaching martial arts throughout his 5 decade martial arts career. This spark of excellence takes a leap beyond martial arts - he has also received national and international awards for public speaking, geological sciences, writing and sketching. Since 1998, he entered the halls of several Martial Arts Halls-of-Fame for unique teaching methods. Some of the Halls that recognize his excellence include the North American Black Belt Hall of Fame, the World Martial Arts Black Belt Hall of Fame, the American Karate Association Hall of Fame, the World Karate Union Hall of Fame where he was awarded Instructor of the Year, International Instructor of the Year, and Grandmaster of the Year. His latest inductions in 2014 and 2015 demonstrated his abilities as a polymath: Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering, Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World. 

Over the years, Soke Hausel learned devastating martial arts techniques through his kyokusinkai, wado-ryu, shotokan, shorin-ryu, and juko-ryu training. But at the same time, he has a heart of compassion for his students.

There is no question Soke Hausel loves to teach martial arts, so he teaches a variety of traditional martial arts at the Arizona Hombu (he has certifications in 16 martial arts) in Mesa, Arizona. He is a grandmaster (Soke) of Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo and a master (Shihan) of Juko-Ryu Bujutsu. He is a member of Seiyo No Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai, Zen Kokusai Soke Budo Bugei Renmei, and Juko Kai International and was awarded one of the highest honors for a martial artist in recent years - that of meijin wa jutsu. A title reserved for only a few of the most dedicated martial artists. 

HALL OF FAME GEOLOGIST. Many people are fascinated by the hit TV program Gold Rush that focuses on a couple of groups of prospectors as they search for gold and gemstones such as diamonds in the Yukon and elsewhere in past seasons. As amazing as it sounds, Grandmaster Hausel has been inducted into two Halls of Fame for geological research and public education and was even awarded one of the more prestigious awards in economic geology for finding gold: the Thayer Lindsley Award for a major mineral discovery. While consulting in Alaska for a gold company, Grandmaster Hausel and six other geologists discovered one of the largest gold deposits in North America - a deposit that has 2 and a half times more gold than mined throughout the entire history of mining in the Yukon! But, because of his contract, he was only paid consulting fees and did not get to keep any of the gold.

But he still loves geology and teaches prospectors and rock hounds how to search for gemstones, gold and other valuable minerals through magazine articles, books, lectures and websites and writes informative blogs to educate the public on diamonds, gemstones, gold and martial arts.

After receiving so many awards over the years including three of the highest honors in martial arts, one of the highest in geological sciences, and one of the highest in rock hunting, one would think nothing new would surprise him. But on April 2nd, 2015, he was totally surprised by his students as he was preparing for to teach karate and kobudo classes in Mesa.

Sensei Bill Borea surprises Soke Hausel with plaque showing
recognition by all of the Grandmaster's students scattered worldwide.

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY

After arriving at the martial arts facility at the 60 W. Baseline Center on the border of Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa, Soke Hausel was greeted by two of his senior students requesting permission to speak to the class. Class began at 6:45 pm with a traditional ceremony followed by warm-up exercises and stretching. Soke Hausel stood aside and gave the floor to Sensei (instructor) Bill Borea and Sensei Paula Borea of Mesa. 

The plaque reads: "This certificate is presented to W. Dan Hausel, 12th dan/Soke. One who leads the Way" 
"In recognition of Outstanding Accomplishments and Contributions for 50 Years of Dedicated Devotion to the
 Martial arts. The Knowledge, Understanding, Teaching and Embodiment of and Sharing that with your Many
 Students. We Your Dedicated Students Say Arigato, January 2015, Mesa, Arizona.

Sensei Bill Borea began by mentioning the first time he ever heard the term "karate" was in 1968, four years after Soke Hausel began training in Karate as a teenager. Sensei Paula Borea acknowledged she was aware of karate as a teen since she was born in Japan, but knew little about the art. Sensei Bill Borea went on to tell the Arizona students that the karate he trained in while serving in the US Air Force in Japan and later in New Jersey was the same taught by Soke Hausel, with all of the traditions, Japanese commands and terminology, emphasis on power, body hardening, forms and practical applications. He emphasized this was the real thing and included an entire curriculum that was even unmatched by most Japanese schools.

Soke Hausel talks to students at the Arizona Hombu, 2015.

On behalf of Soke Hausel's Arizona students, as well as all of those scattered around the world, Sensei Borea presented a 'Certificate of Achievement for Dedication and Devotion to the Martial Arts over the past 50 years (1964 to 2014)'. It was noted, Soke Hausel touched many lives through martial arts while at four major universities including Arizona State University, University of New Mexico, University of Utah and the University of Wyoming. 

Soke Hausel with students at the University of Wyoming, 1999

Soke Hausel with students at the University of Wyoming Black Belt clinic. Students include Hanshi Andy Finley
from Casper, Soke Dai Eric Hausel from Parker, Shihan Kevin Vance from Cheyenne, Shihan Ben Froidevaux
from Switzerland, Shihan Kyle Gewecke from Gillette, Sensei Jessica Ricks from California 

Soke Hausel with Murray Utah Shorin-Kai students

Soke Hausel with students and Hanshi Ron Smith at the 2013 Juko Kai Clinic in New Braunfels, where he was awarded an honorary title from his instructor and martial arts legend Dai-Soke Sacharnoski.

Two Arizona Karate Instructors Receive National Awards

The Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Hombu, Mesa, Arizona

Dr. Adam, a 6th dan (6th degree black belt) in Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo (and professor at Grand Canyon University) has been training in traditional martial arts for more than 3 decades. He initially trained in Shotokan karate (a variety of Shorin-Ryu Karate) prior to training with Hall-of-Fame Grandmaster, Hausel at the University of Wyoming in 1990. After they both moved to Arizona in 2006, they met again and continue to teach Karate. Dr. Adam was selected for the Seiyo Shorin-Ryu Hall of Fame in 2015 for his many contributions to the martial arts.

Upon arrival to Arizona, Soke began teaching at ASU as well as at Gold's Gym in Gilbert, Mesa, and Ahwatukee and at the Civic Center in Chandler, and then opened the Arizona Hombu (world headquarters) in Mesa where he began teaching adults and families. 

Two Gilbert residents who had trained in traditional karate in Japan, Bill and Paula Borea, found the Arizona Hombu and began training under Soke Hausel. Both had trained in Japan where Paula was born. After training with the grandmaster for several years, they were promoted to nidan (2nd dan) and Sensei Bill Borea was later promoted to sandan (3rd dan). Recently, the two senior citizens were inducted into the Seiyo No Shorin-Ryu Karate Kobudo Kai Hall-of-Fame and both continue to train at the hombu in Mesa. They were hi-lighted on Fox 10 News for their martial arts accomplishments a few years ago. Sensei Bill Borea is a retired air force pilot, and Sensei Paula Borea is Japanese-American of samurai lineage.

Hausel, a member of Juko Kai International and Zen Kokusai Soke Budo Bugei Renmei, two of the more prestigious martial arts associations in the world. Hausel is also an inductee in several Halls-of-Fame. He has been presented national and international awards in martial arts.

Dr. Adam often entertains members of
Hombu with his creative martial arts.

Sensei Bill Borea trains with Sensei Paula Borea

In 2015, Soke was elected to Marquis Who’s Who in America (70th Platinum Anniversary Compendium) scheduled for publication in 2015. This induction recognizes contributions as a polymath in martial arts, geological sciences, writing, art and public speaking. Earlier, he was also elected to Who’s Who in the World 2015 and Who’s Who in Science and Engineering 2016-2017 (12th Edition). Along with these honors, the Arizona Grandmaster was selected for an international award by IBC. The award (DaVinci Award) recognizes his successes as a polymath. And earlier, Soke Hausel was presented an award by his students recognizing his golden anniversary in martial arts.

In 2011, Soke was selected for the ABI Man-of-the-Year for lifetime accomplishments, but turned down the award. Previously, he had been awarded ABI Man-of-the-Year and IBC International-Man-of-the-Year in 1994 and 1995.

Students Honor Soke Hausel’s 50th Anniversary as a Martial Artist

In 1964, a long-haired teenager from a popular rock n’ roll band in Salt Lake City walked into a local dojo (Black Eagle Federation) in Sugarhouse and began training in karate. In 1964, he had no idea what karate was other than a form of self-defense. This became a lifelong journey with Soke training in many martial arts and receiving more than a dozen certifications in different martial arts. Not only was he awarded sokeshodai (grandmaster) of the Seiyo Shorin-Ryu karate-do and karate-jutsu, he has been awarded Shihan (master) of 4 other martial arts.

Award presented to Soke Hausel at the Arizona Hombu by his Students.

In 2015, Thumbtack also high-lighted the Arizona Hombu as well as Grandmaster Hausel. And then the Arizona School of Traditional Karate (which is part of the Arizona Hombu) was awarded Best of Mesa for the third year in a roll.

Members of Seiyo Kai International pose with Hanshi Ron Smith at the JKI Hombu in New Braunfels, Texas in 2013, 
where Soke Hausel was honored as a martial arts genius!

Best In Mesa, Arizona.