Like most kids who grew up in the 1980’s, Walker had always been interested in the martial arts. In the pre-internet age, however, access to any legitimate resource was very limited. Lacking the funds to sign up at the local dojo, he systematically checked out every martial arts book at the library several times over. Throughout this time, Walker developed a growing interest in Aikido. Drawn by the moral outlook of Aikido, Walker began to seek instructors of this style. Through an old friend, Walker was eventually introduced to Soke Jerry WineBrenner, who explained that Aikido was taught by Soke Jerry’s twin brother, but that Walker was welcome to study Haragei Ryu Jukido.

Walker and a handful of friends studied Haragei Ryu Jukido with Soke Jerry WineBrenner for 3 years, attending classes four to five times a week to eventually earn a Shodan in that system. During these classes, other students were studying different styles, including a traditional jujutsu system, Do Dan Ryu, and more experimental systems such as Rakutan Ryu Ukemi Jutsu and Denju Taijutsu. Walker dabbled in these arts as well, often serving as uke (the person receiving the technique – i.e. getting thrown, etc) in belt tests.

About a year later, Soke Jerry approached Walker to serve as Soke Dai Appointee for the Kan Sei Tan Aikijutsu system. The current successor of the system had notified Soke that he would be stepping down due to medical reasons. Walker agreed and began working with Soke Jerry in this system, which was eventually renamed Ki no Ken Ryu due to the prominent role the sword played in the system’s principles. Walker was appointed full Soke Ni Dai, active head of family, of the KNK system in 2016.

At the same time, Walker began studying KBR Aikido via correspondence, training with black belts in the system and sending videos to Soke Jerry’s twin brother, Soke Gary (Gerry) WineBrenner. Walker eventually earned a Shodan in the system. Several years later, when Soke Gary was struggling with health problems, Walker was approached to be the third generation successor for KBR. Soke Gary passed in 2008, and Walker was appointed as Soke San Dai, third generation head of family, in 2009 by the hand of Soke Ni Dai Robert Johnson and the full TKBK Soke Board.

Over the years, Walker has trained in other arts, including Chen Tai Chi and Poison Finger (Sifu Scott Stewart), and Capoeira Angola. To learn more about Ki Budo Ryu Aikdo, click here.