2009 June 20th Forms Grand Champion at 2009 IWKA World Championship Pittsburg PA.

2009 June 5th Weapons and Forms Grand champion at the International KIAI Isshinryu tournament

2009 April Ni Dan in Okinawan Weaponry

Sensei Danny Hannan,, June 21st,2008 San Dan in Isshinryu
Sensei Danny Hannan, March 2005 Ni Dan in Isshinryu

Received his Black Belt on May 16 2004
2004 IHOF 13-17 year old Isshinryu Male student of the year Semi Finalist
2006 AOKA Adult Weapons Grandchapion

Danny Hannan – Isshinryu Karate Academy

In May of 1995, at the age of 7, Danny Hannan joined the Kent State University Karate Club led by Heidi Gauntner.  At that time, Danny was a very shy, introverted child who withdrew from strangers and crowds.  In fact, that first class was made up of 7 kids in all…6 kids and Danny who at that time could not even stand with the group because of his extreme shyness.  As time passed and Danny began to gain confidence both in himself and his karate it became evident that he would grow into a fine young man and martial artist.  He is naturally athletic and a quick, dedicated learner which has aided him over the last 10 years in his practice of karate. 

Danny has remained dedicated to his instructor, Renshi Go Heidi Gauntner, Roku Dan and followed her when she opened the Isshinryu Karate Academy (IKA) of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.   When, over the years so many of his fellow students quit the art, Danny remained loyal and patiently worked towards his goal of Black Belt.  Being a member of the IWKA (Isshinryu World Karate Association) and respecting the organizations guidelines, Danny knew he would not be able to obtain Sho Dan until his 16^th birthday at which time he was honored with the presence of Master Harold Mitchum and Sensei John Ingram along with the other black belts of the IKA at his testing.

Ø      It is an honor to have such dedication from my students.  It is my students that make me the sensei that I am and our dojo what it is.

~ Renshi Go Heidi Gauntner

Ø      “The lad well deserved the promotion, he is better than most adults I’ve seen.  Definitely San Dan material!”                   

~ Master Harold Mitchum 2004

Danny’s dedication and patience have allowed him to build a strong foundation and understanding of Isshinryu Karate and Traditional Okinawa Weaponry, which he has studied for the last 4 ½ years in addition to his Isshinryu Karate.  He continues to strive for personal success and has recently earned the rank of Ni Dan due to his continued dedication to the art, his fellow students and the Isshinryu Karate Academy. 

Both by example and through his teaching, Sensei Hannan has been a wonderful role model for many of the IKA students, both young and old.  He is very much respected and admired by the students and parents.

Ø      Sensei Danny has some of the cleanest kata and is one of the most clearly spoken teachers I have had the honor of learning from.

~ Bobby Pitts, IKA Student

Ø      Danny has proven himself not only through athletic prowess and accomplishments at tournaments but also through his patience and humility as an instructor in  the Dojo.  Respect has been earned and he shows respect to others.

~ Bob Scherer, Sensei IKA

Ø      “Sensei Hannan is my strength. He helps push me to be my best as well as sets the high standard for the other students at the Isshinryu Karate Academy. He and his family have supported the Dojo in enormous ways making my most demanding goal of running a successful dojo surmountable. I feel my dojo is becoming recognized in the Isshinryu world and I know this has come from a group effort. Great things happen as we work as a team. Danny is my strength to be able to lead the Dojo as I do. Without students like him and families like his I would be half of who I am.” 

~ Renshi Go Heidi Gauntner 2005

For a long time now Danny has used his martial art to help others.  For a number of years he volunteered his time assisting with the teaching of a karate program at a local elementary school.  Sensei Hannan has joined fellow martial artists on numerous occasions to help raise money for worthwhile causes.  His outreach experiences include:  American Cancer Society’s 24-hour Relay for Life, fundraisers for the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Century Break-a-thons to support at risk inner-city youth, as well as helping raise money for individuals in need.

Danny’s participation in seminars and tournaments throughout Ohio and the Midwest and Eastern United States has been a vital part of his growth.  He has had the privilege of being trained by a dynamic and driven instructor (Heidi Gauntner), which has presented him with many opportunities for growth and success.  Renshi Go Gauntner has set a wonderful example for building bridges with members of other Isshinryu organizations and Martial Art styles. By the example set, Danny has learned to appreciate the many friends he has made on the seminar and tournament circuit. Through these opportunities, just a few of the Isshinryu practitioners that Sensei Hannan has had the opportunity to train with are:

Danny has seen much success in the tournament arena both in Isshinryu and Open-style events; he is a very strong competitor.  Long ago, he set a personal goal of earning 100 trophies and/or medals.  A few highlights of his Isshinryu tournament successes are: 

·        1999 IWKA World Championships – New Jersey

2^nd Place Kata, 2^nd Place Weapons, 3^rd Place Kumite

·        2000 Isshinryu Hall of Fame (IHOF) - Tennessee

1^st Place Kata, 2^nd Place Weapons

·        2001 IWKA World Championship – Indiana

2^nd Place Weapons, 2^nd Place Kumite

·        2001 IHOF – Tennessee

1^st Place Weapons, 2^nd Place Kata

·        2002 KIAI Grand Nationals - Michigan

1^st Place Weapons

·        2002 IHOF – Tennessee

1^st Place Kata, 2^nd Place Kumite, 2^nd Place Weapons

·        2003 IWKA World Championship – Texas

1^st Place Kata, 1^st Place Kumite, 2^nd Place Weapons

·        2003 IHOF – Tennessee

1^st Place Kata, 1^st Place Weapons

·        2004 AOKA World Championships – North Carolina

2^nd Place Kata, 2^nd Place Weapons

·        2004 IHOF – Tennessee

Semi-finalist for Young Male Student of the Year

1^st Place Weapons, 2^nd Place Kata

·        2005 Isshinryu Open – Virginia

1^st Place Kata, 1^st Place Weapons

He has long surpassed his goal and now continues to strive for success but more importantly to be a fine reflection of the high standards of training received at the Isshinryu Karate Academy (IKA). When it’s necessary for the school to split forces to simultaneously make a showing at multiple events, Sensei Hannan readily takes on the role of lead Sensei for the students traveling with him.  He has the wonderful ability to balance his participation with being in a supportive role for the students during their competition.

Ø      “Your students [of the Isshinryu Karate Academy] represent Isshin-ryu well and set an example for many I see at tournaments to truly follow.”                                   

~ Michael Mascher, Sensei

Ø      “…I was very impressed with the students you brought to the tournament.  It really shows Isshinryu is alive and well……My students thanked me for teaching the way I do, they realized after seeing your student they knew that was the way they were headed.”            

~ Wayne Wayland, Sensei

Danny Hannan is very family oriented and resides in NE Ohio with his parents, younger brother, uncle and two cousins.  Danny is a junior in high school, is a very strong academic and has been an honor roll student since early on.  Education has always had an important role in his life, which has been another way he has provided a positive role model for the students at the IKA.   It’s Danny’s desire to study Chemical Engineering at a local university which will allow for him to continue his training and teaching at the Isshinryu Karate Academy of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

It is his hope that his instructor’s efforts of reaching out to the world of Isshinryu will result in the coming together of many Isshinryu karateka this June at the 2005 IWKA World Championship Tournament regardless of their roots or affiliation.  Information regarding the tournament may be found at www.iwkaworldchampionship.com. 

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