Welcome!

Cunningham's Isshinryu Karate-Do

Traditional Okinawan Karate

Proudly serving the Tarboro Community for more than 40 years!

Riverside Plaza
1600 W. Howard Avenue
Tarboro, NC 27886
(252) 578-7400
cunninghamisshinryu@gmail.com

Welcome to Cunningham's Isshinryu Karate, Tarboro's most enduring martial arts school. Founded in 1982 as a part of the Tarboro Martial Arts Association (TMAA), Cunningham Isshinryu has grown into one of the most recognized and respected martial arts schools in North Carolina. Classes are fun and educational, and all newcomers are made to feel welcome as a part of the Isshinryu family.

Cunningham Isshinryu dojo specializes in the instruction of traditional Okinawan karate. Other areas of instruction include grappling, self-defense, Okinawan weaponry (kobudo), strength training, endurance training, flexibility, self-control, discipline, and respect.

If you're wondering whether karate is for you, check out Why You Should Get Started With Karate.

See the calendar for a schedule of all classes that are offered. Get started today!

Our Dojo

Cunningham Isshinryu Dojo is located inside Riverside Plaza. Contact us today to get started on your karate journey!

Hanshi Bill Hayes Seminar - August 16, 2025

Hanshi Bill Hayes, who trained extensively on Okinawa and wrote the book My Journey with the Grandmaster, visited Hanshi Isaac's dojo in Jacksonville, NC. Several Cunningham Dojo students attended, seen to the far right of the photo: Kyoshi Tim Cunningham, Gavin Moore, Ben Stallings, Sensei Keith Webb, and Sensei Alice Jones Webb. Hanshi Hayes is a fountain of knowledge (those are his 'notes' on the large sheets behind everyone), and he shared that karate wisdom with us for several hours!

ECU Tournament Winners!

Cunningham Isshinryu had a terrific showing at the 2025 ECU Open Tournament. The Webb ladies put on excellent performances in the Black Belt Empty Hand Kata division. Emma Webb dominated the kumite competition and took home a Grand Championship!

Left to right: Hannah Webb, third place weapons; Emma Webb, third place in weapons and kata, first place and Grand Champion in Women’s sparring; Sensei Alice Jones Webb, second place in kata and third place in weapons.

Godan Promotion - March 1, 2025

Sensei Keith Webb tested for and was promoted to the rank of Godan (5th-degree Black Belt). Shown here with his test board and testing assistants.

Left to right in front: Mr. TJ Johnson, Testing Assistant; Master Dean Scott, Testing Board; Sensei Keith Webb; Sensei Alice Webb, Testing Assistant
Left to right in back: Mr. Benjamin Sellers, Testing Assistant; Kyoshi Tim Cunningham, Testing Board; Master Doug Harvey, Testing Board; Master TD Gribble, Testing Board; Sensei Chris Duke, Testing Assistant

Yudansha Promotions - November 16, 2024

After a thorough testing process, Mr. Joshua Lassiter was promoted to Shodan and Mr. Benjamin Sellers was promoted to Nidan. Congratulations, men!

Left to right, front: Sensei Chris Duke, Mr. Joshua Lassiter, Mr. Benjamin Sellers, Kyoshi Tim Cunningham
Left to right, back: Mr. Tripp Little, Mr. Daniel Webb, Sensei Alice Jones Webb, Mr. Silas Webb, Sensei Keith Webb

New Yudansha - August 22, 2020

Left to Right Holding Certificates: Sensei Keith Webb - Yondan, Emma Webb - Shodan, Tony Bloomfield - Shodan, Vadim Komshin - Shodan
Left to Right in Back - Testing Board: Sensei Alice Webb, Mr. Daniel Webb, Mr. Silas Webb, Sensei Chris Duke, Kyoshi Tim Cunningham

Dan Promotions - Four very deserving leaders at Cunningham Isshinryu Dojo were promoted on November 12, 2018. Left to right: Kyoshi Tim Cunningham, Hachi-Dan (8th-degree black belt); Sensei Christopher Duke, Go-dan (5th-degree black belt); Mr. Leonardo Garcia-Cruz, Shodan (1st-degree black belt); and Sensei Alice Jones Webb, San-dan (3rd-degree black belt). Attending board members for these promotions were Master Terry Thompson (far left) and Grandmaster Danny Glover (far right).

Warrior Seminar

Grandmaster Mitch Kobylanski

June 9, 2018

Congratulations!

New Dan Grades

April 29, 2017

L to R with certificates: Dustin Hoy, Shodan; Leonardo Garcia-Cruz, Shodan-ho; Aaron David Riggs, Shodan; Steven Davis, Shodan; Thomas Fetty, Shodan.

Congratulations!

New Kyu Ranks

February 4, 2017

Newly promoted kyu ranks: Benjamin Sellers, blue belt; Robin Sellers, blue belt; Alexis Soles, green belt; Eric O'Neal, brown belt; Ocean Nuna, brown belt.

New Dan Grade

Keith Webb - Sandan

February 4, 2017

Sensei Keith Webb with his testing board: (L to R) Sensei Christopher Duke (Yondan), Kyoshi Tim Cunningham (Nanadan), and Sensei Dan Vena (Kudan).

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