Isshinryu Karate Academy

William H. Duessel has spent his life pursuing the development and growth of Isshinryu karate. He is the highest-ranking I.W.K.A. (Isshinryu World Karate Association) instructor in the United States. He received his 1st degree black belt directly from Tatsuo Shimabuku, the founder of Isshinryu karate. In 1990 Kichero Shimabuku, son of Master Shimabuku and President of the I.W.K.A., awarded him his 9th degree black belt and labeled him “Mr. Isshinryu Karate.”

He began his training in the martial arts in the late 50’s and co-found the first Pittsburgh all karate school in 1962 with Harry Acklin. From 1970 to 1979 he, along with Charles A. Wallace owned and operated The Academy of Isshinryu Karate, which at the time was the largest Isshinryu karate school on the East Coast. He is chief instructor at the Isshinryu Karate Academy of Pittsburgh, as well as several other dojos in the U.S.