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The '''Yoshukai Karate Winter Workout''' is an annual convergence of Yoshukai Karate students and teachers upon the gulf coast for a day of traditional Japanese training, testing, weapons demonstrations, and self-defense that includes a neck-deep martial arts workout in the frigid gulf waters. The workout event was started in 1980 by Pensacola's own Gerry Blanck, a 7th-degree black belt who was the World Kickboxing Champion from 1983-85. The event has been held every year on Pensacola Beach, except for the years 2005-09, where it was held on Panama City Beach due to local coastal damage by Hurricane Ivan. The head director is 8th-degree black belt Hiroaki Toyama of Pensacola. Other Yoshukai instructors and familiar faces that participate in the workout include 7th-degree black belt Mike Culbreth of Dothan, Alabama; and long-time Pensacola favorite Cheryl Wheeler Duncan, a 3rd-degree black belt. The Yoshukai Karate Winter Workout is open to all Yoshukai Karate students, from all ages and locations. Spectators are also welcome.