Joseph W. Walker was a Chief Instructor of Shuri-ryū karate, the 1970 Midwest Karate Champion, and a five-time United States Karate Alliance World Champion in the Koshiki, or sparring in armor, division. Walker also took 2nd place in the USKA Masters Black Belt Kata division in 1991. Shihan Walker retired from competition for fifteen years before returning to win the Master's division in Kata in 2007, 2008 and 2009.