International Hayashi Ha Shitoryu Federation

The WKA is a member of the International Hayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Federation.

The mission of the International Hayashi-ha Shito-ryu Karate-do Federation is to preserve, promote and exemplify the classical Karate-do philosophy and teachings of Soke Teruo Hayashi. Soke ("Grandmaster") Teruo Hayashi, the founder of Hayashi-ha Shito-Ryu Karate was one of the most prominent figures in modern Karate-do. During his lifetime, he studied and adapted many different styles of Okinawan and Japanese Karate. His system of Karate-do was studied world-wide, with branches on every continent. He also included a system of traditional Okinawan weapons arts, known as Kenshin-ryu Kobudo. Soke Hayashi passed away in 2004, at the age of 79.

Hanshi ("Master") Julius Thiry was one of Soke Hayashi's most senior students, having trained with him for over 45 years. Hanshi Thiry is an 9^th dan Karate practitioner and instructor who received his rank and status directly from Soke Teruo Hayashi. During Soke Hayashi's lifetime, Hanshi Thiry was responsible for the development and practice of Hayashi-ha style Karate-do in the United States, South America, and Eastern Europe. He personally trained numerous national and international Karate Champions for the United States.

In addition, Hanshi Thiry was the founder and three time President of the USA National Karate-do Federation ("USANKF"). Under his leadership, in 1999, the USANKF was accepted by the United States Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport of Karate, a status which has continued to this date. While Hanshi Thiry was President of the USANKF, the status of United States Karate rose to that of Pan- American Champions and was ranked third in the world.

The International Hayashi-ha Shito-ryu Karate-do Federation ("Federation") was founded in 2005 by Hanshi Thiry to preserve and teach the Karate-do and Kobudo which had been passed to him by Soke Teruo Hayashi. The Federation is a non-profit organization with member national federations and clubs in the United States, Hungary, Rumania, Japan and South America. The Board of Directors for the Federation is composed of the Presidents of the National Federations and the officers of the corporation. The Federation also maintains standing committees to facilitate competition and educational seminars.

Hanshi Thiry serves as the Chairman of the Federation as well as the Chair of the Technical Committee. As such, he personally supervises the administration and the technical proficiency of the Federation members to be sure that they adhere to the standards of Hayashi-ha Karate-do.