The Ingram's
John and Cindy Ingram
John Ingram, Ku Dan (9th Degree)
Cindy Ingram, Ku Dan (9th Degree)
John and Cindy Ingram
John and Cindy Ingram have been teaching Isshinryu Karate to students in Pasco and Pinellas counties since the late 1970s. They were students of Sensei Jim Canter and Top World renown Isshinryu practitioner Master Harold Mitchum. During the '80's John decided that he wanted to try kickboxing. He hooked up with world rated fighter Mike Hollobaugh along with world-class trainer Bill Slinker. He loved the challenge and competed and trained students to compete for the next 10 years or so. During that time he trained with the sport's best, such as world champions Jerry Clarke, Richard Hill, Mike Hollobaugh, and Jim Graden. He did exhibition bouts with two World Champions: Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and Jerry "Sting" Clarke. He also fought a Professional Boxing Champion who wanted to try kickboxing. After the fight, the boxer decided to stick with boxing. During these years John won multiple kickboxing state championships.
While John was pursuing a career in kickboxing, Cindy was making her mark as a National caliber point fighter. In 1989 she won the Diamond Nationals and the U.S. Open and finished second at the Battle of Atlanta. For her efforts, she was named N.A.S.K.A. Rookie of the Year. She also went on to become state champion in both kata and Kobudo (weapons)
Sensei John and Cindy began teaching Isshinryu when Sensei Jim Canter retired and left his school to Sensei John to run in the late 70s . One of his and Sensei Cindy's top students is their daughter, Sheri Angwin, who started Isshinryu as a small child. Sensei Sheri is now a Nana Dan (7th degree )and runs Ingram's Karate Centers in New Port Richey and Carrollwood.
Over the years the Ingrams and their students have been involved in open karate tournaments and since 1996 have been heavily involved with AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) as National team coaches. They have trained many state,national and world champions!
Upon Master Harold Mitchum’s passing (in 2016) , John Ingram assumed the roll as Director of the WUIKA
(World United Isshinryu Karate association)
Although tournaments are a fun side of karate, John and Cindy pride themselves in watching students develop into more confident, strong and respectful leaders in our community. That is what the martial arts is really about.
John Ingram
9th Dan
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Florida Director for the I.S.K.A. After retiring from competition.
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The promoter of the Florida Open Karate Championships for the past 17 years.
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Inducted into the Florida Hall of Fame in 1998.
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President of the United Isshinryu Karate Association.
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The most honored accomplishment is Sensei Mitchum telling him that he is his #1 student!
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United States A.A.U. Karate Team Coach since 1999.
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Inducted into the Isshinryu Hall of Fame in 2007.
In the 1980's, John was a 2 time Florida State Kickboxing Champion.
(ISKA - a world-recognized organization)
In the Early 80's he was one of Florida’s top point fighters. Rated by Karate Illustrated Magazine.
John was a member of the U.S. Kickboxing team that traveled to Germany in 1986.
Among John's other accomplishments as a kickboxer, he did 2 exhibition fights with Bill Super Foot Wallace at the US Open Night of Champions.
Cindy Ingram
9th Dan
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In the mid through late 1980s Florida State point fighting champion for 4 consecutive years.
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1989 rated #4 in the United States in point fighting by N. A.S.K.A.
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1989 Female rookie of the year by N.A.S.K.A.
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1994 State Champion in Weapons and Kata 1994
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Presented the Warriors Cup for being Top in Kumite, Kata and Kobudo all in the same year.
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1996 inducted into the Florida Hall of Fame.
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1998 President of F.A.M.E. (Florida Affiliation of Martial Arts Events)
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1997 Won the Masters Kata Division at the I.W.K.A. World tournament held in New York.
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Secretary of the U.I.K.A.
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United States A.A.U. Karate Team Coach since 1999.
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Inducted into the Isshinryu Hall of Fame 2012.
