Acclaim to host seminar featuring honored and distinguished guests May 15-17

Due to Acclaim Protective Arts’ (APA) growing position with the association, Acclaim was given the opportunity to host a special seminar featuring highly honored and distinguished guests of the renowned International Shorin Ryu Shorinkan Karate Do and Kobodo Association. On May 15th—May 17th  Kyoshi Nabil Noujaim, Kyoshi Art Garcia, and Kyoshi Javier Pacheco will visit Acclaim Protective Arts to inspect the quality of the dojo and the fidelity of the instructors’ teachings with the tradition of the Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan style of karate. Sensei Jay Overley has been given this opportunity which is a great honor and sought after by many karate leaders and has potential to greatly inspire and develop the students of Acclaim.

This visit will not only inspire students but will help them feel a stronger connection, identity and relationship with the “true” internationally recognized high ranking association members. This event has been posted on the international website and will also yield a greater acknowledgement and recognition from the Shorinkan hierarchy as well as those interested in fitness and martial arts. The event will create positive press for the Topeka community and will provide additional momentum for growth and expansion in Topeka and the surrounding areas.

Prestige of the Visitors The Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan style of Karate originates in Okinawa and is one of the oldest forms of Karate. The current Grand Master is Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato “Hanshi JuDan”  is known as one of the most influential living karate Grand Masters in Okinawa.  In 1996  Grand Master Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato was asked to give a special performance at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Kyoshi Nabil Noujaim is one of Hanshi   Nakazato’s senior students in the Americas. He is the head instructor of Noujaim’s Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate in El Centro, California. Kyoshi Nabil Noujaim has senior ranking students in various locations including California, Indiana, New York, Bermuda, Chile, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Mexico, and Sensei Overley’s dojo in Kansas. History of Acclaim Protective Arts (APA) APA is a martial arts staple in Topeka. From its humble beginnings in 1992, Acclaim began as a small church ministry in Independence Missouri. Sensei Jay and Kathy Overley’s goal was to provide their congregation with the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of Karate in a Christian atmosphere. In 1996, shortly after relocating to Topeka, Sensei Overley decided to expand the reach of his teaching and opened a small business and Karate dojo and welcomed people from the community. In 2010, through prayer and perseverance, Sensei Jay was able to obtain a prime location in North Topeka which has allowed him to refocus his efforts on developing his students and growing his business. Now that Acclaim Protective Arts has found its new home on Topeka Boulevard, Sensei Overley has been able to broaden his reach to many new children, adults, and families that have benefited from his teaching. APA serves a dynamic population of students. Many of the students that attend APA would not be able to attend any other school in the community for various reasons. Sensei Overley is quoted as saying: “It has never been about prideful endeavors or money, it’s about serving others for the greater good.” Not only is tuition significantly below the national average, but they also offer a free trial month for every new student, family discounts, and customized tuition for students from low income homes. A majority of the students come from low to middle income families and, without APA, many of these students would never get to experience Karate as they would be unable to afford a typical martial arts school.

Instructors Although Sensei Overley is the head instructor, he has a highly trained and loyal volunteers that assists him in his instruction. Mrs. Kathy Overley who is a Shodan black belt and also provides instruction at the academy. She has been practicing Martial arts for over 25 years. She not only functions as an instructor but has also assisted in the management of the business. Other instructors include Gillian Anderson (black belt), Jason Crenshaw (black belt), Terri Darling (brown belt black tip), Brian Murphy (brown belt black tip) and Aspen Overley (brown belt).