Shotokan Karate Jutsu Academy

Mr. Lauricella's first exposure to martial arts was in 1964, at a community center in the Bronx, NY.  He was twelve years old at the time.  The style was Ka-ju-ken-bo, which originated in Hawaii.  This community center program lasted ten weeks, in which time Joe received a yellow belt.  This small accomplishment had a profound and lasting effect that would be drawn upon thirteen years later.  In 1978, Joe began training in Goju Ryu. After five years of training Joe earned his Shodan.  He continued training until 1985 where relocation put him in several different schools.  Mr. Lauricella took classes in Isshin Ryu, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, and even Tang Soo Do.  These other styles were educational but not what Joe had been looking for.  In 1989, Mr. Lauricella found what he was looking for, a solid traditional training hall, in Club Shotokan and Sensei Salvatore Lopresti.  Mr. Lauricella was allowed to keep his rank of Shodan for the time being, but in 1992, he was re-tested and awarded a Shodan in Shotokan karate.  In 1996, Mr. Lauricella was awarded his Nidan and in 2000 he received a certification as an instructor with Kissaki Kai of the USA. In May of 2002, Joe passed his Sandan examination and now holds the rank of third degree black belt.

Today, Mr. Lauricella continues to train regularly, placing his emphasis on Kata and discovering the practical hidden applications found within these forms.  He lives in Wash. Twp. with his wife Dorine and two children.