The Ave Herald

The karate school has been operating for two evenings a week for more than a year, known simply as the Ave Maria dojo, but was renamed in a ceremony last week as Wasenshi Dojo, which is Japanese for "peaceful warrior."

Pat and Stacey Hurley (right, with banner unveiled displaying the school's new name), who live in Golden Gate Estates, began the dojo after they organized a self-defense seminar in March, 2009, and residents and students asked for it.

"They pleaded with us to start a dojo in Ave Maria so that they could be trained on the full karate syllabus, practice regularly, and advance in belt rank," said Mr. Hurley, who operates his own security and investigations business.

Now, there are 25 students who come out for classes held in the Donahue Academy gym. Among them is Ave Maria University Athletic Director Brian Scanlan, who achieved the rank of black belt several years ago and continues his training at Wasenshi Dojo.

Three students from the Ave Maria dojo competed this year in regional kiarate tournaments and one of them -- the Hurley's 14-year-old son John  -- did so well that he received an invitation to the Karate Nationals this summer in Albany. His performance earned him a ranking in the top 25 karate black belts in the United States in his age group. Right, John, wearing one of the gold medals he won in regional competition.

Wasenshi Dojo is part of the Minami Dojo organization that has five karate schools in southwest Florida. More information is on their website here.