Karate Five Association
Karate Five Association
3816 Oakland Drive
Knoxville, TN 37918
ph: 865-933-7067
wilson93
"Fighting to save lives" through the Mental, Physical and emotional training disciplines of martial arts 
WELCOME BACK STUDENTS to 2022!
GREAT NEWS FROM GRANDMASTER WILSON!
UNITED WAY OF GREATER KNOXVILLE'S Annual BigGive Tuesday Campaign Fundrasier "One Day Only", Tuesday, November 29, 2022 (SAVE THIS DATE FOR GIVING!)
A fantastic "one day only" campaign fundraiser for nonprofits. Karate Five Association is truly honored to be among nonprofitsparticipating again in this year's exciting campaign.
Click on the link below and repeat your generosity of last year for Knoxville's youth in our program, "Fighting to Save Lives" through the Mental, Physical and Emotional Training Discipines of Martial Arts program. (All donations go to the program. Minimum donations of $10 are greatly appreciated and helps our youth!)
A SHOUTOUT to Darryan and Nikki who donated later to the fundraiser, "IN MEMORY OF DESMOND DALE!" Thank you for these donations which make a real ldifference!
Click on this link to donate:
https://www.biggiveknox.org/organizations/karate-five-association-inc
Karate Five Dojo now has a new telephone number and email address at our program facility. To reach us during program hours, visit Contact Page for this updated information!
KARATE FIVE IS A "2021 YOUTH ENDOWMENT FUND" AWARD RECIPIENT!
www.easttennesseefoundation.org
JULY 15, 2022 - 2022 ISSHIN-RYU HALL OF FAME AWARDED KARATE FIVE ASSOCIATION "2022 DOJO OF THE YEAR AWARD"
Karate Five is excited about this award and recognition by the Isshin-Ryu of Hall of Fame (IHOF), IIKA Board and support of the Isshin-Ryu martial arts community.
Master Melbert Lee, Jr.'s son, Melbert Lee, III, received the 2022 IHOF "Junior Male Competitor of the Year." We are proud of his recognition in these competitive category.
Melbert Lee, Jr.
MAY 7, 2022 - KELLY'S HEROES CLASSIC TOURNAMENT - Karate Five leadership staff and students participated in the annual Kelly's Heroes Classic Tournament at Cherokee High School in Rogersville, TN and we are proud our students performed successfully and with pride representing our school.
Grandmaster Willie Wilson was surprised and honored when it was announced at beginning of tournament day he was being presented with the 2022 KELLY'S HEROES HERO AWARD by Grandmaster Kelly Markham. What an awesome recognition from a friend and patron of the martial arts community.
MAYOR'S COVID GUIDELINES:
Mayor Kincannon's 5-19-21 Executive Order #66 and CDC Guidance updating Masks Rules for City Buildings. Click here to view.
On September 8, 2020 as students returned to school, Karate Five Dojo reopened its doors at the Karate Five Dojo.
We are following the City of Knoxville's COVID-19 guidelines for sanitizing and social distancing to protect our students and staff as well as parents and guardians dropping off the younger students.
We are excited to be back in the dojo training and working with our students!
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FROM MY VIEW AS A MARTIAL ARTIST . .
This article is not political or anti-police; it is about the hold and treatment of an individual no matter his social standing, background or race, but in this case it happens to be another black man.
I want to express my opinion regarding the "death hold" that caused George Floyd’s death. When seeing the video of his death, I could see the same techniques I teach in my Dojo. Before I go any further, my credentials can be found at www.KarateFive.com or just Google my name under Grand Master or Master Willie G. Wilson.
This article is not about me or what I have accomplished; this article is about a "hold" that is damaging if used wrongly or too long. I teach this technique to control a person--then release. To me this officer knew what this kind of technique would do to a person. At this time when a person is laying out and is in a submissive position, he should then have been set up or put in a position like sitting or on his knees.
Since this person had been handcuffed, where is the fight? He cannot use his hands and him not being a martial artist his feet are limited. This hold should never have been used the way the officer used it and for that being said--because you know a technique that works and you have been trained doesn’t mean you should use it just to show your superiority.
When you teach and know what these types of techniques can do, they should be controlled or not used. If a person is not handcuffed or being submissive and I am fighting for my life, we go from one technique to another to gain control of what we are taught. Seeing this technique used to murder a man already arrested and handcuffed made no sense. The damage that can come from the knee in your neck can cause serious injury, if not death.
In teaching, only the more advanced students learn and demonstrate a "controlled neck hold" using hands, feet, knees or even elbows. Seeing the life squeezed out of a man lets us know how delicate a person’s life is or his health. I teach getting home techniques and other techniques law officers cannot use, but we are teaching self-defense no matter who uses this "hold" technique, it can be damaging or bring death and this officer proved it on George Floyd.
. . . Grandmaster Willie Garfield Wilson
June 2020
“We all understand your lives have been affected by COVID19 and we are not yet able to work out in the Dojo but the preservation of our wellbeing is more important than just us getting together to prove or just enhance ourselves right now at Karate Five.
Health is very important and looking after family comes first—the priority because without our family we are not who we are supposed to be and that is who the Karate Five family is. Our sadness is overwhelming it has affected us and we are to stay strong and remain in the Will of God to get through this pandemic. Thanks to all of you—the Sensei, the Instructors and the Board for what you have done. Just stay safe and know we are thinking of you. What the Karate Five Sensei, Instructors and leaders have taught you, you should continue practicing so your mind, body and souls can continue to be physically and spiritually enhanced until we meet again.”
. . . Grandmaster Willie Garfield Wilson
April 2020
Grandmaster Willie Garfield Wilson and Master Linda Wilson's Announcement Corner!
Hello,
Welcome! This is K-5's Announcement Corner where special announcements and K-5 Dojo updates are noted on this HOME Page for our visitors.
2021 KARATE FIVE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT
CJ BURNETTE RECEIVES 2021 SCHOLARSHIP (For more details, click on K-5 Dojo Updates or Community/Outreach)
K-5 Dojo is proud of Jaylen Burney. For further details, click on the following link "About Us - K-5 Dojo Updates"
Click the following link to see pictures from Karate Five's Annual Christmas Banquet:
DECEMBER 20, 2019 - PICTURES FROM KARATE FIVE CHRISTMAS BANQUET
See 2019 Karate 5 Dojo Updates & Promotions by clicking on this link.
Click after arrow to view video 
WATE's News "Channel 6 on Your Side Spotlight" interview with Grandmaster Wilson aired June 16, 2017.
Click after arrow below to view video interview with Channel 8 TV's Anchor Alan Williams and Sensei Linda Wilson aired July 29, 2017.
Click on link after arrow to view video from the January 15, 2018 WVLT Local 8 Television interview with Master Linda Wilson at the Karate FIve Dojo.
NEWS ARTICLE UPDATES--Click after arrow to read The Tennessee Tribune Thursday, November 30-December 6, 2017 news article about Sensei Linda Wilson, "Hall of Fame Inducts First African American Female." Go to the Article under the Home Page for details.
Also, you can visit ABOUT US page for K-5 Dojo Updates such as promotions, special program announcements, awards and events.
Be sure to view the special local television interview links with Grandmaster Willie Wilson and Master Linda Wilson found above and in the lower right corner of this Home page.
Click after arrow to visit NEWSPAPER ARTICLES & FEATURES SECTION:
Review Articles page under the Home tab for newspaper articles and interviews of K-5 leadership, staff, students and programs. Special articles are selected by Grandmaster Wilson for posting on website.
KARATE FIVE VISITS "MY PLACE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER" ON JUNE 19 AND JUNE 23, 2019
Karate Five Dojo students presented a martial arts demonstration to My Place students on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.; then returned again to the Arts Center on Sunday, June 23, 2019 for a student recital.
A Certification of Appreciation was presented to Karate Five Association. Grandmaster Willie Wilson accepted on behalf of the Karate Five Dojo. The Arts Center students enjoyed the demonstration and vied for questions to Grandmaster Wilson afterward regarding defense and martial arts techniques.
May 16, 2019 - Bryan College of Dayton, TN
(Above) Karate Five received an invitation from Bryan College's new Martial Arts Program to introduce scholarship opportunities to its student. Click here to visit our Community Outreach for pictures more details of the event under ABOUT US
JUNE 25, 2019 - KARATE FIVE DOJO - MASTER ANSTON WILSON GETS A PROMOTION - CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES AND DETAILS
Anston Wilson
The original inception of the Karate Five Dojo was created by Grandmaster Willie Garfield Wilson.
Click on this link K-5 Original Founders.
(Above/below) Grandmaster Willie Wilson working with K-5 Instructor Sensei Melbert Lee Jr., as Instructor Anston Wilson to his left (Grandmaster's son) observes the technique
Our desire is for our black belts, staff and students to always strive for excellence, loyalty and commitment to the arts.
2018 Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame
Karate Five Association, Inc., is a public charity registered as a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Corporation with the IRS and the State of Tennessee
Note: Donors can deduct contributions made to our organization for our students, outreach programs, and scholarships under the IRS Code (IRC) Section 170
United Way of Greater Knoxville
Knoxville, TN - "Community Healing Fund Award Recipient!
On September 22, 2021, Karate Five Association was blessed to become the proud grant award recipient from United Way of Greater Knoxville's 2021 Community Healing Fund for our "Fighting to Save Lives" through the Mental, Physical and Emotional Training Disciplines of Martial Arts Program.
United Way is an international network of over 1,800 local nonprofit fundraising affiliates and one of the largest non-profit organization in the United States.
This partnership with United Way is a new journey for our organization, teaching staff and students. We are excited to partner our programs for youth through this grant!
Grandmaster Melbert Lee Sr., Fallen Warrior
CLICK here to read 39-PAGE MEMORIAL AND HISTORY OF Grandmaster Melbert Lee Sr. with memorial picture history
February 20, 1946 - December 2, 2017
OR
Click MEMORIAL PAGE to visit Memorial details
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"Celebrating Black History Month - "Fighting to Save Lives"
WVLT News Television, Channel 8 - Video - Spotlights Karate Five Association - February 18, 2021
(Click the link shown in "red" below to watch video!)
Grandmaster Willie G. Wilson pictured above with wife, Master Linda Wilson (8th Degree Black Belt)
It's a family affair - "Slim" Kenneth Jenkins (3rd Degree Black Belt) pictured above with daughter, Ganna and son, Salim - They all train at the Karate Five Dojo
Linda Wilson, 8th Degree Black Belt, on July 21, 2017 is the first African American woman nominated and inducted into the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame (IHOF) in its 38-year history to carry this distinguished honor.
TO PLAY VIDEO, CLICK RED LINK BELOW (You can skip ads to go straight to video)
CLICK HERE TO SEE WVLT NEWS VIDEO
GRANDMASTER
WILLIE GARFIELD WILSON
Ju Dan (10th) Degree Black Belt (Sanuces Ryu); Ku Dan (9th) Degree (Isshinryu); (4th) Degree in Vee-Jitsu; (1st) Degree in Arnis (includes Modern and Military Arnis); and Certified Instructor in Modern Arnis
President , Karate Five Association - Knoxville, Tennessee
Grandmaster, Karate Five Dojo
(One of Karate Five Association's original five founders)
2019 Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame (click on the preceding link to see pictures)
Master Melbert Lee Jr., 2019 Inductee into the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame
Click below to read story:
March 2021 - Karate Five donates CD's to "Voice of the Voiceless" organization run by Vivian Shipe.
What We Do
The early founders of Karate Five understood the intense concentration and focus demanded of students in martial arts training.
Under the leadership of Grandmaster Willie Wilson that vision continues today.
(Above) Grandmaster Wilson and Professor Lisa McManis (Military Arnis)
Karate Five was the "first and only civilian martial arts school" to be aligned in 2006 with the Board of Directors of the Martial Arts Leadership Institute as an official Military Arnis affiliate.
Click here to read the Mission of Karate Five and our commitment to inner city youth.
Without partnerships and sponsors such as the City of Knoxville Recreation Department (dojo facility) and Foster Chapel Baptist Church (Continuing Education Scholarships), we would not have the long-standing success with Knoxville's inner city youth.
This success has been accomplished through K-5's outreach and educational programs, workshops, seminars, conferences, training demonstrations and tournament participations.
Karate Five is particularly proud of its:
- Annual Back-to-School Backpack and Supplies Program (with its partner, Foster Chapel Baptist Church) presented to students from K-5 to college age
June 9, 2019 - Rev. Joseph Tolbert announces the Karate Five's Continuing Education Scholarship Award to "CJ" Burnett during Foster Chapel Baptist Church's 2019 Graduation Program morning services
- Kids' Day Programs.
Karate Five offers not just martial arts training but a unique opportunity to reach out and help mold the young lives and spiritual foundation of our inner city youth.
Over the decades Karate Five has won several Humanitarian Awards (Grandmaster Willie Wilson), K-5 Dojo recognition awards, lifetime achievement awards and community leadership awards.
These awards are indicative of Grandmaster Willie Wilson and the Board's leadership to follow the original founders' vision for Karate Five.
2006 IHOF Dojo of the Year Award & 2016 Dojo of the Year Award Finalist
Karate Five's Wall of Awards, Recognitions
and
Lifetime Achievement Awards
and
Karate Five received in 2017 - "The Harold Mitchum Humanitarian Award"
(Board Awarded)
"Grandmaster Wilson and the Karate Five Board of Directors adamantly proclaim and reiterate our Mission to help inner city youth to spiritually, physically and morally develop sound and disciplined personal standards of living. We teach them to honor and exemplify a deep respect for family values and their community through the martial arts."
TELEVISION INTERVIEWS & SPECIAL VIDEO LINKS (Click on highlighted links below to view)
WVLT Local 8 Television January 2018 interview with Master Linda Wilson at the Karate Five Dojo aired January 15, 2018. This link is also located under the HOME PAGE's feature Articles page.
WVLT Local 8 News Hall of Fame Karate at 5P television interview video segment of Channel 8's Alan Williams' interview with Master Linda WIlson aired July 28, 2017.
WATE's News "Channel 6 on Your Side Spotlight" television video interview with Grandmaster Willie Garfield Wilson, June 16, 2017 feature spotlight of Grandmaster Willie Wilson's selection as one of four recipients receiving the Beta Theta Boule' Foundation's "Fatherhood Excellence Award" honoring outstanding fathers/mentors at their Father's Day Luncheon, June 18, 2017.
PHYSICAL CONDITIONING & TRAINING
Karate Five's organizational structure designed its martial arts programs not only for physical conditioning and training but also to promote disciplined mental, spiritual and moral development--an asset strongly encouraged in each of our students.
(Above) Sensei Linda Wilson demands a rigourous workout from students before martial arts training.
(Below) Students meet the challenge of Sensei Wilson's physical conditioning and strengthening routines.
Karate Five Association
3816 Oakland Drive
Knoxville, TN 37918
ph: 865-933-7067
wilson93