Ed Wojciechowski, widely known in the martial arts world as “Wojo Sensei,” began training in Shorei Ryu karate in the early 1980’s at the Oak Lawn Park District in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Within a few years, he volunteered to pass on what he knew in a Park District program for students with disabilities. Little did he know, it marked the beginning of a teaching career in karate that would last for over forty years and continues to this day.
In the mid 1980’s, Wojo Sensei simultaneously trained in Ji Do Kwon taekwondo. He achieved black belt rank in both karate and taekwondo in January 1989.
Currently, Wojo Sensei is a 9th degree black belt in karate and teaches at A Center For the Martial Arts in Palos Hills, Illinois and for the Oak Lawn Park District as well. The style he teaches is Matsumura Shorin Ryu, an Okinawan style that was handed down from Hohan Soken and more recently, Yuichi Kuda. Wojo Sensei also trains students in the use of weapons, including kata that were handed down from Master Kuda.
Early in his martial arts career, Wojo Sensei won numerous medals and trophies as a competitor in martial arts tournaments, primarily for his performance in weapons forms. He has given dozens of demonstrations and seminars over the years, raising public awareness of this facet of Asian culture.
Wojo Sensei has received black belt certifications from the United States Karate Association, Seishin-Kai Karatedo Union of Japan, World professional Black Belt Martial Art Organization, Japan Karatedo Ryobu-Kai, Matusumura Kenpo Karate Do Kai and the International Shorin Ryu Karate Kobudo Federation. He has also earned the titles of "Kyoshi," which can be translated as associate professor of a martial art, and "Shihan," or master instructor, and most recently, "Hanshi," or full professor.
Wojo Sensei also has extensive training in Japanese Swordsmanship (iaido), which he teaches for the Oak Lawn Park District. He has also trained for a number of years in aikido. In recognition of his in-depth knowledge of the martial arts and his lengthy teaching career, Wojo Sensei was inducted into the Illinois Martial Arts Hall of Fame in November 2024.