Grand Master Lester Whinna
Lester A. Whinna, 10th Dan – Red Belt, the history into this lineage and training.
Grand Master Lester A. Whinna, 10th Dan - Judan
Mugoi Gijutsu Karate Do Federation
This style has produced a student who is in the Guinness Book Of World Records for taking full blows to the throat illustrating techniques, from what he was taught by his Master, John B. Burkhardt. All students are taught in the same way and manner, this one just took it to a public forum…Wide World Of Sports with Howard Cosell circa 1975.
Grand Master Lester A. Whinna of Mugoi Gijutsu Karate Do which is comprised of three traditional “old” style, Goju Ryu, Chito Ryu, and Kempo/Kenpo karate has become the Grandmaster after the passing of Soke John B. Burkhardt. He has been involved in the martial arts for over 50 years. Grandmaster Whinna has held his Instructor’s Certification since July 20, 1977, when he was tested and awarded his 1st degree black belt. This style adheres to the traditional rules set forth by the Japanese Federation many years ago. Mugoi Gijutsu Karate Do, conforms to the teachings of old school traditional style marital arts, it is not the sport of karate what is taught today, this is strictly to lame and kill an opponent in unfortunate situation. His certifications, title, and authority come under Soke John B. Burkhardt (March 19,1943 to July 19, 2020) who was the last surviving Master Instructor under Commissioner Henry Slomanski and the only one in the world who governed this lineage until his passing on July 19, 2020. This is to be carried on by Grand Master Whinna now. Burkhardt was the foremost expert on Commissioner Henry Slomanski and the martial arts. All rights and privileges were passed on to Soke John B. Burkhardt by Commissioner Slomanski and Burkhardt was the Grand Master until he passed, leaving his Heir Apparent Hanshi Les Whinna – 8th Dan to take over as the Grand Master upon the day he either retires or passes away. It was ordered by Soke Burkhardt that Hanshi Whinna will become the Grand Master, with the rank of 10th Dan Judan in the world of this Federation with all the rights and privilege of his title. This was written in Soke John B. Burkhart’s sworn statement and Will and has been documented legally for many many years. He had informed his intentions in writing to his three ranking Black Belts too in this style. Grand Master Whinna was humbled by his Master’s wishes at the time. This style has numerous legendary martial artist in it under Commissioner Slomanski and Soke John Burkhardt had determined Whinna become part of this legendary history as a Grandmaster.
Whinna held the honorific title in the martial arts of Hanshi, “han” meaning model or example, and “shi” meaning man or war. Soke Burkhardt had bestowed the title of Hanshi only once in his 60+ years of teaching the martial arts. Whinna was also designated Heir Apparent of the lineage of Henry Slomanski and Soke John B. Burkhardt. Along with Whinna’s rank and title, Soke Burkhardt had given him all the authority to test and promote all belts in this style and conduct all daily activities pertaining too such. Whinna was the youngest and last male student to ever receive his black belt from Soke Burkhardt. Now Hanshi’s daughter Daneen Whinna Kressley (2nd Dan) is the last black belt that has been awarded as of October 2011. Burkhardt, was the last and youngest person under Commissioner Henry Slomanski to receive his Black Belt. Grand Master Whinna is proud of this fact and it is a common bond he shares with his instructor. As the Grand Master Instructor, Burkhardt had only awarded eight individuals a black belt in his years of teaching; this is out of the several hundreds who ever started to train under him.
Mugoi Gijutsu Karate Do was and is still taught the hard way, full power, full breathing, and full contact. Success is based not only on the ability to master the katas but also on their toughness and ability to deal with the pain and/or injuries sustained in training. There are no pads used in this training. Grand Master Whinna is a highly decorated retired police officer from the Camden City Police Department in New Jersey.
Excerpts from Soke John B. Burkhardt, 10th degree Red Belt:
My Senior Master Instructor, Lester A Whinna, was awarded an 8th degree Black Belt and the title of Hanshi.
His authority is indisputable and he is second only to me in dealing with the Martial Arts and Mugoi Gijutsu Karate Do under the Henry Slomanski lineage. He has the right to teach, promote and award all belts to students that train in this style. He is a sterling representative of Mugoi Gijutsu Karate Do. He is the Heir Apparent in Mugoi Gijutsu Karate Do Federation and will secede me as Soke. His rank, titles and authority are above reproach and unquestionable. I have documented my wishes legally in a document of the aforementioned and passed it on to my top three ranking black belts.
He has an assistant, his daughter Daneen Whinna Kressley, she was awarded her 2nd Degree Black Belt by me and given the title of Sensei, and all rights and authority to go with her rank and title. She was tested by me and the belt was awarded solely by me, and can not be questioned. She teaches, she is involved in the community and an asset to me with the example and promotion of Mugoi Gijutsu Karate Do. It is important to keep in mind that the basis came from the teachings of Henry Slomanski and the Grand Masters before him. This shows direct lineage.
This letter is verification that the statements made by Lester A Whinna regarding Mugoi Gijutsu Karate Do have my full approval and authorization and are correct.
Our creed is “Traditionalism over Commercialism”.
John B Burkhardt, Soke
10th Degree Red Belt
-Mugoi Gijutsu Karate Do Federatiion
