The American Style Nunchaku
Instructional Video Series
Featuring Michael Burke black belt, Grand Master 6th Dan and three-time nunchaku weapons champion.
Michael Burke (right), pictured with Richard Finch (founder of SunDragon Martial Arts), and elite martial artist Christa Scarpino.
American Style Nunchaku was created by Michael L. Burke, a
black belt and three time nunchaku weapons champion, from Richmond,
Virginia. Michael began his karate training in the summer of 1973, in
Okinawa style karate.
During his training, Michael was fascinated with the nunchakus. In 1973,
the amount of training materials on the nunchaku was limited. Because of
this, Michael began to make up his own set of nunchaku training
techniques. After many years of practice, these techniques began to come
together - and the style was born.
Michael's first video, CHAKUS!,
was produced in 1990, and was a big seller. In early 1992, a grand master
of karate in New York contacted Michael and told him that he had the
ability to have his own weapons style, and that he should continue making
more videos showing his forms and advanced techniques.
Over the next 8 years, four more videos were produced and again they were
big sellers. Many martial arts students from all over the country began
practicing the style. It is reported that in New York at one karate
school, some 26 students began winning tournaments using the double
dragons kata - taught on Michael's third video.
Today, the culmination of many years of hard work have come together as
the style continues to gain attention and support from the martial arts
community. ASN
is
designed to be fast and flashy, but easy to learn. Some students have won first place
awards in competitions after only six weeks of training.