News Archive:

On August 9th, Gilkey Green Belt Sam Wigley competed in the Dairyland Karate Classic in Lindale, Tx. He placed 2nd in Forms and 1st in Fighting. Lindale is known for their Dairy Cows and atop every trophy was a dairy cow making for a most unusual karate trophy! The tournament t-shirts had imprinted on the back "Support Our Troops" and Sam was proud to have his picture taken with the back of his t-shirt and not facing the camera.

Of the Gilkey students attending the OKA's Unified Martial Arts Karate Tournament, Sam Wigley placed 1st in Forms, 1st in Fighting, 1st in Musical and 2nd in Weapons! (Note: Please email any other results for this update!)

Mr. Gilkey visits Mr. Ted Soliday, 9th DAN, and Ms. Katie Carr, 1st DAN Gilkey students discussing strategy with Mr. Gilkey

Mr. Gilkey attended the 14th Annual Whirlwind Classic karate tournament hosted by Mr. Larry Wells. Several Gilkey students were able to make it out for the tournament, and Goju Black Belt, Katie Carr, 1st DAN, assisted Mr. Gilkey by helping make sure the students were stretched and ready for their competitions. In addition to coaching his students, Grandmaster Gilkey also judged various black belt divisions!

On June 14 Gilkey Green Belt, Sam Wigley, participated in Chickasaw Nation tournament in Ada and placed 1st in Forms and 2nd in Sparring, 1st in Musical and 2nd in Weapons. On June 21 he participated in the United States Karate Championship in Mesquite and placed 1st in traditional Forms and 1st in Sparring and 3rd in Speciality Forms. On July 12 he participated in the Octogon Open in Irving, Texas and placed 1st in Traditional Forms, 1st in Open Forms and 1st in Sparring.

Mr. Gilkey honored those students ready for rank promotion as well as handing out special awards for their diligence as students, their academics, the top kicker, top puncher, and even provided special awards for parents! The ceremony included the presentations as well as Mr. Gilkey's encouragement for the student's continued journey and efforts. After the promotion ceremony, the school celebrated with snacks and had some time to visit and share their accomplishments with their peers.

The Shotokan Tigers hosted the Showdown - a wild west themed karate tournament in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Gilkey students attended competing across numerous divisions. Under the watchful eye of Mr. Gilkey, several students came away with trophies! Goju Black Belt Ms. Katie Carr, 1st Dan, helped provide additional support and encouragement in between her own competitions. The Shotokan Tigers have always provided an excellent tournament for Gilkey students with solid competition and usually attract numerous Goju schools from around the area.

Mr. Gilkey and students traveled to compete in the Battle Of The Dragons in Nixa, Mo. Logon Long and Sam Wigley competed and Grand Master Gilkey received a lifetime "Pioneer Award" from Master Binky Furstenberg. Sam Wigley placed 5th in Musicals, 3rd in Weapons, and took 1st Place in Fighting as well as 1st Place in Forms competition! Sam went on to compete for Tournament Grand Champion, winning over all of the 17 years old and under divisional chamipions!

Sam Wigley and Logan Long competed in the AKA's American Karate Open in Locust Grove, Oklahoma. Mr. Gilkey was on hand to coach and encourage his students, as well as visit with some of the other attending black belts. Ms. Katie Carr, 1st DAN, and (featured for the first time) Scott Carr, green belt (and Gilkey webmaster), lined up to help Mr. Gilkey and his students.

Gilkey students Sam Wigley and Logan Long competed at the Oklahoma Karate Assocation sanctioned American Dragon Karate Tournament in Oklahoma City on Saturday, February 16th. Sam Wigley brought home 1st Place in Musical competition, Weapons competition, Forms Competition, and Fighting competition! In addition, Logan Long took 2nd Place in Fighting. *Special Thanks to Laurie Wigley for update & pics! Additional photos from the OKA Awards Ceremony courtesy of Jeannia Stephens!

The Oklahoma Karate Association (OKA) Award's Ceremony took place on February 9th in Oklahoma City. The event honored and awarded the 2007 State Champions across each division for their efforts throughout the past year. By joining the OKA, competitors earn points for winning a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Place trophy at each State tournament throughout the year. At the end of the year, the OKA awards their State Champion titles to those competitors who are their top points winners. Sam Wigley, Hunter Stephens, and Christopher Parker were each honored and presented with their award and the title of 2007 State Champion!

Last week Sam was invited to compete at the Texas Karate Organization State Championship in Houston, Texas. Sam won the State Title in both Traditional Forms and in Sparring. He placed 2nd in Creative Forms, missing 1st place by 1/10th of a point. The pictures of him are with the founder's of TKO, Wayne Nguyen and Dewey Sutton and a picture of him and his Sensei, Sterling Gilkey.

The Oklahoma Karate Association's 2008 year kicked off with a tournament in Purcell, Oklahoma. Gilkey students arrived in force for the competition. In addition, Miss Katie Carr, 1st DAN, provided some small assistance in helping Gilkey students with getting warmed up at ready for the tournament.

Update for December 9, 2007 - Mr. Gilkey named as Black Belt State Champion by the Oklahoma Karate Association! In addition to Gilkey students being named among the Oklahoma Karate Association's State Champions - Grandmaster Gilkey also is being named as a Black Belt State Champion by the OKA! Mr. Gilkey is receiving this title for his competition in Forms for the Senior Black Belt Division

Thomas "Thunderkick" Longacre receives his 3rd degree Black Belt in Japanese Goju Ryu Karate

On December 14th, Chuck Norris' World Combat League is coming to Tulsa, Oklahoma! Goju Ryu Black Belt Thomas "Thunderkick" Longacre, 3rd DAN, will be helping to lead the Oklahoma Destroyers in action in their Home town of Tulsa! This is the best opportunity to see Chuck Norris, his professional martial arts sports league, and to support the Oklahoma Destroyers who will face off against the Denver Fury in fast paced, martial arts action! Go to www.worldcombatleague.com for tickets and information!

Three Gilkey students competed in the Oklahoma Karate Association's Double Point Karate Tournament. Christopher Parker, Green Belt; Hunter Stephens, Yellow Belt; and Sam Wigley, Yellow Belt all scored wins and returned from Ada, Oklahoma with trophies!

Mr. Gilkey's annual Double Elimination Tournament kicked off this morning in Wynona, Oklahoma and hosted a number of visiting Black Belts, and students from other schools. A team award was presented to Ms. Fraley and her Shotokan Tigers for bringing the most students! There was a lot of great action and competition at all levels. See ALL Tournament pics - CLICK HERE! Click HERE to see the updated tournament results page!

Sam Wigley, Gilkey Yellow Belt, competed in the BMA Championship in Houston, Texas on October 20, 2007 and took home 4 trophies. He was awarded a 5 ft trophy for first place with his Bo Kata, he placed third in the Musical Kata, third in Sparring and second in Traditional Kata.

Mr. Gilkey competed in the TNT Blowout karate tournament this past weekend, as did numerous Gilkey students! Mr. Gilkey took 1st Place in Fighting, and 1st Place in Forms and in a close Grand Champion competition, he was awarded Grand Champion in a tie with Mr. Jose Munoz! Gilkey students competed in close contests also, with several trophies being brought back from Oklahoma City! Click HERE to see the updated tournament results page!

Broken Arrow was the location for the 17th Annual Karate Tournament - "Bad to the Bone", hosted by the Shotokan Tigers. Mr. Gilkey and his students competed across several divisions - joined by Miss Katie Carr, Goju Black Belt. Mr. Gilkey has provided support and encouragement for Miss Carr during her karate career, and has seen her mature in tournaments since she attended her very first as a white belt in 2002 - a Gilkey Double Elimination tournament! Gilkey students displayed their skills in Forms and Fighting, under the watchful eye of Mr. Gilkey who offered strategy and guidance.

Update for September 15, 2007 - Gilkey Students win at the 12th Annual Golden Dragon's Karate Championship! Four Gilkey students competed in the 12th Annual Golden Dragon tournament in Guthrie, Oklahoma. There was significant competition and high numbers within some of the divisions, but everyone received awards (and for one, even a tournament shirt) for their efforts! Overall, Mr. Gilkey's students did very well, and a sizable number of trophies were won as Gikley students showed their superior skills before competitors and judges alike from a variety of martial arts disciplines!

Update for August 11,2007 - Gilkey Students Compete at the OKA's 2007 Unified Martial Arts Karate Championship and win! Seven Gilkey Karate students descended upon Edmond, Oklahoma to compete in their respective divisions. Tournament competition is challenging, and showing up and standing in the ring in the face of that competition requires strength of character... Gilkey students displayed their abilities and expertise! There were many awards won today, and many Gilkey students brought home trophies. Click HERE to see the updated tournament results page!

Update for July 28, 2007 - Grandmaster Gilkey and Gilkey students attend the annual Whirlwind Classic! Last week, Grandmaster Gilkey attended the Whirlwind Classic Karate Tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma and along with coaching the Gilkey students competing, he participated in judging events within the tournament. Gilkey students had an excellent showing and the new tournament results page gives details of their accomplishments! Click HERE to see the tournament results page!

Update for July 21, 2007 - Grandmaster Gilkey's Karate Camp 2007 a success! Grandmaster Gilkey concluded a successful week-long karate camp last week. The camp was attended by 14 young aspiring athletes and the focus centered on an karate as well as other fun-filled activities!

Update for June 28, 2007 - Gilkey students advance during testing and promotion! Grandmaster Gilkey conducted a testing and promotion for those students who were prepared to move to their next belt rank. Students worked hard to display their knowledge of forms, movements, katas, self-defense, and fighting skills throughout the testing.

Update for June 9, 2007 - Gilkey students win at Chickasaw Nation's Summer Youth Karate Tournament! Mr. Gilkey attended the Oklahoma Karate Association sanctioned Chickasaw Nation Summer Youth Karate Tournament today. Several Gilkey students were present in the competition, and placed in Forms and Fighting. Mr. Gilkey participated in judging the Black Belt competitions, as well as judging the Grand Champion competition.