Karate Instructor Earns New Black Belt

Reprint from Jun 7, 2015 by the Chippewa Herald 
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Menomonie karate instructor, Travis E. Young, was awarded Godan black belt status while at a spring seminar in Mason City, Iowa. The seminar was hosted by his sensei, Brian Loterbauer, who presented Young with the fifth-level black belt status.

The seminar featured the teachings of Masaji Taira Sensei, the Okinawa chairman of the Goju Ryu Kenkukai. He is well known in the Okinawan karate world for his innovative approach to traditional karate.

Taira Sensei also awarded Young with Shibucho status for the Menomonie Goju Ryu dojo. This means that Menomonie Goju is one of only 45 official branch dojos worldwide that are entrusted with carrying the lineage of Okinawan Goju Ryu karate.
Young has studied traditional Goju Ryu karate for 30 years. He began to study with Loterbauer Sensei in 2001. Since that time, he has made multiple trips to Okinawa to study at the home dojo.

“Goju is a deep art not wide and working with Taira Sensei you begin to understand what that means,” Young said. “To receive this status with his organization is a huge honor for us. I wish to thank Loterbauer Sensei for 14 years of guidance and helping me to begin to understand the true way of Okinawan Goju Ryu karate.”
In addition to karate, Young studies and instructs Matayoshi Kobudo (Okinawan weapon arts), yoga and Tai Chi. He is a licensed acupuncturist and Asian bodywork therapist in Menomonie.