A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY...
Summer 1978
Sensei Curt Sawyer began taking karate classes at Jennings Karate Academy on Lyell Ave. Master Joe Jennings had run several dojos in the Rochester area. The following year in June 1979, he graduated from Gates-Chili High School.
February 1st, 1982
Sensei Sawyer began managing Jennings Karate Academy at Westmar Plaza.
May 21st, 1982
Sensei Sawyer received his 1st Degree Black Belt.
March 1st, 1983
Sensei Sawyer bought Jennings Karate Academy from Master Jennings.
November 1st, 1985
Jennings Karate Academy moved into Westgate Plaza.
August 12th, 1987
Sensei Sawyer started another dojo in Spencerport.
May 1st, 1990
Jennings Karate Academy moved from Westgate Plaza to Lyell-Howard Commons.
June 29th, 1994
The Gates Fire Department burned down a house and garage on Spencerport Road for the future home of Jennings Karate Academy. Sensei Sawyer was going to combine both dojos to become one of largest karate schools in Rochester and only one to own it’s own building.
July 19th, 1994
Ground Breaking at 1512 Spencerport Road for new dojo was held.
November 23rd, 1994
The first karate classes were held in the new Jennings Karate Academy on Spencerport Road.
July 1995
This was the first year of the Ultimate Karate Kid Camp.
November 1996
Sensei Sawyer changed the named of the dojo to Samurai Martial Arts. We began offering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Cardio Kickboxing.