If your interest is traditional martial arts, then this may be the style of your choice! This is dedicated to the lineage of karate Masters of Shuri-Te (Shorin-Ryu), dating prior to 1733 A.D. with Sakugawa "Tode" to the present, under Hanshi JuDan Shugoro Nakazato and the world wide practitioners of Shorin-Ryu -- Shorinkan Karate Kobudo.
Karate History
Okinawan Karate dates to the sixth century when Bodhidharma’s (Duruma), born in India, travels took him to China where he settled at a Shao-Lin (Shorin in Japanese) Monastery. The introduction of ch’uan – fa (“first way”) occurred in the late 1300’s with the expansion of trade and cultural exchanges between Okinawa and China. Evidence suggests that te (hands), in fact, was indigenous to Shuri, Naha, and Tomari. Thus begins the lineage of Shorin-Ryu Karate From Shuri –Te systems.
TakaHara Peichin (1683 – 1760) --------------------------- Kusanku
Yasutusne Itosu (1831 – 1915)
Chosin Chibana (1885 – 1969)
Shugoro Nakazato (1935 - )
Takahara Peichin
1683 - 1760
Born in Shuri, Okinawa, the actual dates of Takahara's birth and death vary depending on the source, but the most commonly held dates covering the span of his life are 1683 - 1760.
As a member of the upper class of Okinawan society Takahara was both well traveled and well educated during his lifetime. He was reputed to be a student of Chatan Yara (1668 - 1756) who was himself a master of Okinawan weapons and whose legacy lives on in katas such as "Chatan Yara no Kon Sho", "Chatan Yara no Sai Sho", and "Chatan Yara no Sai Dai". Takahara's most famous student was "Tode" Sakugawa.
A Chinese envoy to the island kingdom of Okinawa, Kusanku had a brief but substantial influence on the life of one of the greatest masters of all time "Tode" Sakugawa. It has been said that they first met around 1756 when as a young man Sakugawa attempted to push Kusanku off a bridge, only to find himself bested and on the receiving end of a lecture on the proper behavior of young men towards their elders. The meeting was to be a fortuitous one for Sakugawa and it was to change his life forever, as soon after the episode on the bridge he became a student of Kusanku's.
Shortly after Kusanku's death Sakugawa developed the kata "Kusanku" and named it in honor of his former teacher. There are many versions of this kata in circulation today and it is one of the oldest known katas in existence.
"TOTE" SAKUGAWA
1733 - 1815
The mysterious Kusanku of a Chinese envoy settled in Okinawa for some time. His most famous student was Satunuku "Tode" Sakugawa (1733-1815). It is believed Sakugawa became a student of Kusanku in 1756.
Sakugawa was a student of Takahara Peichin (1683-1760) (Peichin is a title of
status) until the arrival of Koshokun in Okinawa.
At that time Sakugawa was granted permission from Takahara Peichin to train
under Kusanku. Sakugawa traveled to China with Kusanku to study Kempo. He
returned to Okinawa in 1762 to introduce this fighting method.
Before long Sakugawa was considered an expert in the Chinese hand fighting
method. It is said that Sakugawa was awarded the title of Satonushi for his
services to the Okinawa King.
Sakugawa soon started to teach the Chinese hand in Okinawa. Combining what both
his teachers had taught him, he structured a training system. This made him the
first Okinawan teacher of Tode. Many of his students rose to greatness.
Among them
were :
SOKEN "BUSHI" MATSUMURA
1796 - 1893
The
father of Okinawan Karate, Sokon "Bushi" (Warrior) Matsumura was the first to
systemize Shuri-te from which the various Shorin-ryu styles have come down to us
today. Born into a prominent family in Shuri, Matsumura was a good scholar and
athlete. He learned the fundamentals of te as a young boy (customary for upper
class youths of the time) and later, according to many historians, began his
formal martial arts training under Tode Sakugawa. From Sakugawa he is said to
have learned use of the bo and the kata Kusanku.
While
serving as a bodyguard and martial arts instructor to the last three Ryukyuan
kings, Matsumura made a number of official visits to China and Japan where he
studied Chinese boxing and Japanese swordsmanship. Following retirement from
service to the royal family, Matsumura taught Karate in Shuri. Among his many
noteworthy students were Itosu Yatsutsune, Kentsu Yabu, Chomo Hanashiro, Gichin
Funakoshi, Chotoku Kyan, and Nabe Matsumura.
Sokon Matsumura is credited with having originated or having developed important variations of many of the Shorin-ryu katas practiced today.
YASUTSUNE ITOSU
1831 - 1915
Perhaps the greatest teacher in the history of Karate, Yasutsune "Anko" Itosu simplified many of the ancient katas, created several new ones of his own, and pioneered teaching methods that would revolutionize the art by making its study easier and less dangerous for future generations. For this, he is recognized as the father of modern Karate.
Born in Shuri, Itosu began his Karate training at an early age under Sokon
Matsumura and subsequently trained under several other teachers, possibly
including Kosaku Matsumora of Tomari. Well-educated in Chinese and Japanese
literature, Itosu served as a translator to Sho Tai, the last of the Ryukyuan
kings, until Sho Tai's fall from power in 1879.
In 1901, Itosu first introduced Karate into the physical education curriculum of
the Okinawan public school system. This was a crucial step in transforming the
public --Perception of Karate as a feudalistic killing art to one in which the
emphasis was -in health and spiritual well-being. Itosu created the original
Pinan (peaceful mind) katas, shodan through godan, practiced today in various
forms by virtually all Shorin-ryu styles.
A list of Itosu's students reads like a who's who of famous Karate masters and includes: Gichin Funakoshi, Chomo Hanashiro, Chotoku Kyan, Chosin Chibana, Kentsu Yabu, Choki Motobu, Kenwa Mabuni, and Shigeru Nakamura
1885 – 1969
Choshin Chibana was born on June 5, 1885, at Tottori-cho in Shuri City, Okinawa. He began his karate training with Yasutsune "Anku" Itosu in 1900 with whom he studied until Itosu's death on January 26, 1915.
In 1920 Chibana opened his first dojo in Tottori-bori and later a second in Kumo-cho Naha where he instructed until he suspended his teaching during WWII.
After the war Chibana resumed formal teaching in Giho-cho which is a section of Shuri City. During the 1950's he maintained his dojo as well as a position as the Chief Karate Instructor for the Shuri City Police Dept. and in May 1956 his accomplishments were recognized by his appointment as the first president of the Okinawa Karate-Do Association.
Chibana's reputation as a karate master continued to spread, not only in Okinawa but also in mainland Japan. By and in
Prior to his death in Ohama Hospital on 26 February 1969 from cancer Sensei Chibana was recognized with honors such as:
Shugoro Nakazato
1935
Hanshi JuDan
Nakazato has spent most of his life in the martial arts and in 1967, after
nearly twenty years of training, was awarded 9thDan by his eminent instructor
Chibana Choshin.
Upon Chibana Sensei's death in 1969, Nakazato Sensei became the president of the
Okinawan Shorin-Ryu * ShorinKan Karate-do Kyokai and was promoted to 10thDan in
1980.
Nakazato Sensei is one of the most influential living karate Grand Masters in
Okinawa and travels many times a year to promote the traditional Okinawan
Shorin-Ryu
ShorinKan Karate (Kobayashi-ryu) system. Hanshi JunDan headed the Okinawan
karate delegation and was asked to give a special performance at the 1996
Olympic Games held in Atlanta, Georgia.
Most recently in May 1999, he led an Okinawan seminar delegation of Grand
Masters to the United States promoting The 1st Okinawa Traditional Karatedo &
Kobudo World Tournament.
In addition, Hanshi JuDan Nakazato is credited for the introduction of the Gorin
kata.
In August 2000, the Okinawan Prefecture Board of Education bestowed upon Hanshi
Nakazato the title of "Kenmukei Bunkazi"
Intangible Cultural Asset. Hanshi JuDan Nakazato's recognized current
influential first generation students in the United States are Kyoshis: Nabil
Noujaim, Doug Perry, Patrick Haley, Eddie Bethea, Raymond Keller , Eberhard
Welch, Noel Smith, C.D. Williamson, Chris Estes, Sean Riley, Kevin Roberts and
Cheech Luzzi, to name a few.
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Kyoshi Eddie Bethea
Kyoshi Bethea Applies Life Lessons To His Teachings
In the forest of life, there are many pathways that lead to adventure, and other paths to forge for oneself. Eddie Bethea’s life has taken interesting and sometimes difficult journeys through that forest, which have created the man who today owns and operates Kokomo School of Self Defense, Bethea's Karate Studio. Growing up in the segregated south, Bethea was the second oldest of eight children. His father was a laborer at a fertilizer plant and then for a tire recapping company. His mother still lives in North Carolina, where Bethea was raised.
After graduating from high school in 1961, the 17 year-old Bethea was filled with resentment and hostility due to the degrading environment that prevailed in the South at that time. Although he had dreams of becoming a Baptist minister, Bethea saw his only opportunities to leave the negative environment as either going to college or joining the military. Since he realized there was no hope of finding the money to pay for college, he joined the United States Air Force immediately after graduation. His first assignment after graduating from basic training was at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Bethea felt anxiety about the assignment because of the racial tensions flaring in the South. As soon as he arrived in Montgomery, racial comments were hurled at him. Having already tasted that bitterness growing up, Bethea said the comments didn’t phase him much.
A Melting Pot During his assignment in Alabama, many memorable and now-historic civil rights movements were taking place around the United States, such as Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech; The Selma to Montgomery march; President Kennedy’s assassination; the church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama; Governor George Wallace standing at the doors of the University of Alabama to keep negroes out; and Miss Rosa Parks’ stand on the public bus. According to Bethea, all of these events were amplified in Montgomery due to the already-stressed race relations in the South.
A Simple Sign Bethea’s interest in any form of martial arts was peaked years before he left to serve his country. Relatives who had served in the military would talk about Judo after coming back from World War II. Later, the television show Wild Wild West caught his fancy with all the kicks and choreographed stunts. But, it wasn’t until his first tour in Okinawa that Bethea took his first karate class. “In January of 1966, I received my orders to Okinawa,” he said. “I arrived in Okinawa in June and that’s when it all began to happen.” On the bus ride from one air base to another, Bethea saw a simple sign that caught his attention. The sign said “Karate Gym.” After he was processed into the new base, he waited for his first check in order to start taking karate lessons. “Once I got paid, I took a taxi and told the driver to drive that road until I saw the sign again,” he said. “When I spotted it, I had him stop and I got out and walked to the gym.”
Bethea began training with Shugoro Nakazato Kyoshi. Although he was not as serious then about karate as he is today, Bethea continued to study the art with Sensei Nakazato -- a man who would play a significant role in Bethea’s life for the next three decades. During his training with Sensei Nakazato, Bethea never trained with any ranks lower than a brown belt. This accelerated his learning, although he said it was very punishing at times. The biggest change Bethea saw in himself was the fact he was conquering his inferiority complex that still lingered from his childhood. “I grew up with a lot of negatives and inferiors in me,” he said. “I know that’s from coming out of the segregated South. It was a suppressed environment that caused me to harbor many negatives while growing up. I was fortunate enough to turn it around for the positive; however, that wasn’t the case with many. Through karate, I was feeling better about myself. I had looked for that change when I joined the military, but didn’t find it until I got into karate.” With a new found passion in life, Bethea had almost unknowingly taken the first steps in what he now calls his life’s mission. It didn’t matter where he was stationed, as he found time to continue his training wherever he went. He took military leaves and returned to Okinawa to study with Sensei Nakazato. Although his time was limited, the visits and intense training sparked Bethea to continue with his training on his own.
Acclimating to Kokomo By January 1968, just two years after his first lesson, Bethea was promoted to Yondan – fourth degree black belt -- and received his certification from his Sensei to be an instructor. The confidence Bethea gained through karate would allow him to negotiate difficult situations associated with his military assignments, contend with family hardships and even begin karate classes. Bethea was assigned to Grissom Air Force Base in Bunker Hill. He admitted he had troubles acclimating to the snow and freezing winters. He even volunteered for another tour in Vietnam to escape the Indiana winters. But, before he was shipped out to Vietnam, he realized that Indiana was a place he was comfortable and he wanted to stay. “I had not yet been to Kokomo and had only met people from Kokomo who worked on the base,” he said. “Everyone said that relations between military and civilians wasn’t good in Kokomo, so that’s why I hadn’t gone there yet. Once I started meeting people in Kokomo though, I found they were real with me and it wasn’t like people said it was going to be. Things were going really well and I had sacrificed it all because I wanted to get away from the cold weather.” Before his second tour in Vietnam, Bethea had started his first karate class at Carver Community Center. When he returned from Vietnam one year later, he was determined to be assigned to Grissom again. Although he was qualified to do much more, Bethea took an assignment in the food service just to ensure his return to Indiana. Even the cold weather couldn’t keep him away from the life he was building before his departure.
Becoming A Teacher In July 1973, he re-enlisted for his final eight years in the military. He was continuing his two hour workout everyday when the opportunity to teach karate at Carver Community Center came to him. “My first class was in March 1973,” he said. “The lessons were a mere $15 a month. The class grew and was known for its toughness. Nobody ever had any concerns for kumite (sparring) then. Normally, you got a new person in and worked him extremely hard and if he came back, you knew that you would have a good student. Karate, then and now, can only be compared when a person has been in it for a number of years and they have competed on the circuit. That is because time brings about changes in people and the way they do things. It has certainly brought about a change in the manner in which karate is taught. It has lost some of its meaning and some of its toughness because of the changes people have made have been to its detriment.” Regardless of how other instructors conduct their classes, Bethea believes it is his responsibility and his God-given mission to teach as he has and will teach karate for the remainder of his life. While building his life in Indiana, Bethea’s teaching has expanded from teaching self-defense classes at Carver Community Center to owning and operating his own dojo. He gives much of the credit of his success in Kokomo to a few individuals who helped him along the way. “Mr. Jim Stidham came to me and said I should have my own school, ” he said. “That’s when we opened the Kokomo School of Self Defense at 604 N. Washington St. That was May of 1976. I believe he was God’s messenger sent to get me started on this mission of teaching karate and helping people.” Many other people have walked into Bethea’s life to help him cultivate his dreams. June Gearheart made him an offer to move into the building at 119 W. Sycamore Street, which was his first opportunity to operate his own dojo. Deciding to move his classes to Sycamore Street was a good decision. Since that move, Bethea had yet another opportunity to purchase that building. With renovations to the upstairs portion completed, Bethea made a final move to the upstairs of the building. He now leases the downstairs portion to a health clinic. All of this came through yet another messenger from God. That person was Scott Pitcher who himself is a man of vision.
Competitive Edge Throughout his years in Kokomo, Bethea estimates he has taught around 10,000 people his discipline of karate. He has treasured the years God has given him to reach others. Also over the years, Bethea has competed in a number of karate tournaments and holds three world grand championships and 10 division championships. He remembers the first tournament he competed in didn’t go as he thought it would. “I remember competing in my first tournament at the National Guard Armory in Indianapolis in the summer of 1973,” he said. “It was a total disaster because I thought I had it all together. I had sparred with others, especially with my training in Okinawa, but I was devastated in my very first match.” After that competition, Bethea regressed and began to wonder if his work was worth the humiliation. But again, Bethea worked through the negative and conquered the doubts he had. It is that internal motivation that he hopes he has passed along to his students. He knows that the determination he has was nurtured by his instructors. Bethea estimates he has 240 students enrolled in karate classes, and 300 coming to his cardio classes.
“Many of the people are in their mid 40s,” he said. “The Mighty Mite classes are for kids six and under. They’re probably my favorite because you never know what they’ll do.” Life's satisfaction At 59 years old, Bethea has been advanced in rank by several Hanshi Rank instructors. While that is a personal accomplishment, he gets more satisfaction from someone stopping him to thank him for his instruction. He believes if he’s helped someone along their way in life, then he’s done something for the betterment of mankind. “There are teachers and instructors along the way in anyone’s life who stand out,” he said. “When you teach someone, you give that person a part of your life. If you value what the teacher gave you, then you will hold that person in high regard. Some teachers give a little more. I hold Sensei Nakazato in high regard for what he has given to me. I am always hoping that I bring honor to him and his name in all that I do.”
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Hachidan Doug Perry
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Richard M. Poage
8402 E Cholla Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Dojo
Southwest Center for the Martial Arts
7735 E. Evans Road, Suite 102
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Cell Phone 480-200-1187
Dojo Phone 480-443-2550
Date of Birth 04/11/1985
Style Rank Sensei
Ryu Kyu Kempo Shodan Mike Wall
Ryu Kyu Kempo Shodan Taika Oyata
Shuri Ryu Shodan Chris Hoshiyama/Bob Bowles
Shorin Ryu Shorinkan Nidan Shugoro Nakazato
Okinawa Kobudo Shodan Shugoro Nakazato
Kokusai Rengokai
Shorin Ryu Reihokan Sandan Nanobu Ahagon
ReihoKan Kobudo Nidan Nanobu Ahagon
Nakazato Kobudo Shodan Shugoro Nakazato
Shorei Ryu Sandan Charlie P Contreras
Shorin Ryu Shorinkan Kyoshi Bethea/Shugoro Nakazato
I have received black belt rank under three different Okinawan Grandmasters including Taika Oyata, Sensei Shuguro Nakazato and Sensei Nanobu Ahagon
Karate Organizations
I was one of Five Black Belts selected to judge the annual Southwestern United States Fireman and Law Enforcement Olympics. I judged this tournament for two consecutive years.
I have attended every ASKA/USKA (Arizona State Karate Alliance) Tournament (except one) since the inception of the organization in 1994. This is an average of 10 to 12 tournaments per year. During this ten-year period I assisted with the set up and tear down and clean up of every tournament. Early on I assisted with the mailing, score keeping, time keeping bracketing, ring set up, etc. Upon Certification, I have judged at every tournament. I have also judged at many local, State and Regional Tournaments in other states as well as the USKA National and World Tournaments.
1994-1999 During this period I attended many 3 day seminars and workshops under the
Direction of Tiaka Oyata. I tested under Master Oyata for my shodan.
06/1998 Sparing Seminar taught by Lee Kittell
08/1998 2 day seminar taught by Dennis Rao
03/1999 1 day Che Zen Kun Bo seminar taught by Gordon Garland
10/1998 Maria Evans seminar on teaching women self defense
08/2001 Cane and Knife Seminar taught by David McNeil
10/2001 George Dillman’s two day seminar
02/2002 2 day Seminar taught by Robert Bowles
03/2002 Personal Hostage Defense – Tactics against the bad guys of the World,
a two-day seminar taught by Vince Morris of Nottingham, Eng.
04/2002 John Pat Bulock sparing seminar
06/2002 4 day workshop with Kyoshi Pat Haley in Chino, CA. We worked on both hand and kobudo kata’s and bunkai.
11/2002 Kyoshi Nabil Noujaim 4 day National Martial Arts Camp in El Centro, CA
Others in attendance included Robert Sabella, Kyoshi Pat Haley, Kyoshi Doug Perry, Kyoshi Bethea, Kyoshi Chris Estes; Kyoshi Sean Riley, and other members of the American Shorinkan Kyoshi-kai.
04/2003 Ronald Lindsey and R.J. Keller’s “Lone Star Karate and Kobudo Seminar”. This was a three day workshop and seminar in Houston, Texas. Kyoshi Doug Perry, Kyoshi Chris Estes, Kyoshi Sean Riley were among the guest instructors.
11/2003 Nabil Noujaims 4 day Martial Arts Camp in El Centro, CA. Hanshi Judan Shugoro Nakazato, his son Hanshi Kudan Minuro Nakazata and several of his high ranking students were present. Others who attended were Kyoshi Doug Perry, Kyoshi Pat Haley, Kyoshi Eddie Bethea and other members of the American Shorinkan Kyoshi-kai. I tested under Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato for shodan in Kobudo.
12/2003 Sponsored a Karate camp in Phoenix, AZ at my dojo taught by guest instructor 7th dan, Kyoshi Pat Haley.
8/2004 Attended Kyoshi Doug Parry’s annual “Little Okinawa” summer karate camp held in the woods of North Carolina. Guest Instructors included Kyoshi Haley,
Kyoshi Bethea, Major Bill Hayes and other members of the American Shorinkan Kyoshi-kai.
11/2004 Attended, 7th dan Kyoshi Nabil Noujaims Annual Karate camp in El Centro, CA. Guest Instructor was 9th dan Sensei Yanamine from Naha City, Okinawa. Other guest instructors were Hanshi Giyu Gibo for Naha City, Robert Sabella, Kyoshi Perry, Kyoshi Haley, Kyoshi Bethea, at the camp they held a tournament with three divisions, Black Belt, Adult Kyu and Youth. Southwest Center for the Martial Art had three students enter the tournament. I won the black belt division, and two of my students won 1st and 2nd in the youth division. Southwest Center won three of the six trophies given out as prizes. This was a very special tournament judged by the high ranking guest instructors from Okinawa. Each competitor had to run a prescribed Shorin-Ryu kata that the judges selected. The winner would continue to the next round. It was called the SABELLA Okinawa Classic.
12/2004 Sponsored a one day karate camp in Phoenix, AZ at my dojo, taught by guest instructor 7th dan, Kyoshi Pat Haley.
02/2006 Sponsored a one day karate camp at my dojo in Phoenix, AZ, taught by guest instructor 8th dan, Roy Osborn.
05/2006 Kimo Wall seminar
06/2006 I spent two weeks training in Okinawa with Nanobu Ahagon along with 17 students from my dojo, Southwest Center for the Martial Arts. Two of my students received their Jun-shodan from Nanobu Ahagon. I tested for my Sandan under Nanobu Ahagon. I also tested for my Nidan in Kobudo under Nanobu Ahagon. While in Okinawa I was privileged on two occasions, to train with Sensei Akamine, a student of Hohan Soken and is the Mayor of Haiebaru, Okinawa. I at his dojo I had the privilege of sharing some food served by his wife. This was a very memorable experience.
04/2007 Major Bill Hayes Seminar. Major Hayes is also one of the few individuals recently designated by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to create and develop the new Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
05/2007 Attended Kyoshi Bethea’s Okinawa Mid-West Connection in Indianapolis,IN.
Hanshi GIYU GIBO (9TH DAN); HANSHI EIYU YONAGUKI (9TH DAN) two of Nakazato senior students. Kyoshi Parry, Kyoshi Haley, Sensei Johnny Russell and other members of the American Shorinkan Kyoshi-kai.
08/2007 Attended, 8th dan, Kyoshi Doug Parry’s annual “Little Okinawa” summer karate camp held in North Carolina. Guest instructors included Kimo Wall, Kyoshi Bethea, Kyoshi Haley, Kyoshi Chris Estes, Kyoshi Sean Riley, Kyoshi Chuck Chandler and other members of the American Shorinkan Kyoshi-kai.
05/2008 Attended Kyoshi Eddie Bethea’s Okinawa Mid-West Connection in Indianapolis, IN. Kyoshi Parry, Kyoshi Noel Smith, Sensei Kline, Sensei Johnny Russell and many others were in attendance. I competed for and won the Nakazato Cup. This competition was judged by Kyoshi rank and was centered by Kyoshi Perry.
06/2008 Mr. Lu from China seminar on White Crane (Feeding Crane) kata and bunkai.
Kimo Wall taught a Che Ze Kun Bo that he learned from Matayoshi Sensei in Okinawa back in the sixties.
1999 to present. I have attended the Rules and Regulation and Referee seminar annually. I have been certified since I turned sixteen. I have also attended the scorekeepers and bracketing seminars.
I started my martial arts career at a very young age. In 1989 at the age of 4, I started training Tae Kwan Do under Dino Holmesy. Sensei Holmesy at the time was ranked the number two Kick boxer in the World and later became an actor who would have parts in several major movies.
In 1992, my family moved to Scottsdale where I started training with Mike Wall studying Okinawan Ryu Kyu Kempo. In 1993 I joined the USKA and I have been competing ever since. In 1999, at the age of 14, I tested under Taika Oyata Sensei and became the youngest person to ever receive a Shodan from Taika Oyata Sensei.
In the year 2000 I made one of my best career moves and began training in Shorin-Ryu. In June of 2002 I was promoted to Nidan (Second degree Black Belt) by Hoshiyama Sensei and received a signed certificate from Shuguro Nakazato Sensei of Naha City Okinawa. In November of 2003 I tested in Kobudo under Nakazato Sensei and in April of 2004 I received the rank of Shodan in Kobudo. In 2005 Chris Hoshiyama changed Senseis and started training under Nanobu Ahagon.
In September of 2005 I received a Shorin-Ryu Reihokan Sandan (third degree black belt) under Nanobu Ahagon. I went to Okinawa in June of 2006, along with seventeen of my students. While in Okinawa two of my students got promoted to Jun-shodan (1st level black belt) in both karate and kobudo. I was also promoted to Nidan (second degree black belt) in kobudo by Nanobu Ahagon Sensei.
In 2005, I started training Kumite under Charlie Contreras and continued training with Sensei Contreras until his death in 2007. Shihan Contreras was a very passionate instructor. Shihan Contreras was a great friend and he will be truly missed. This was another great career move as Sensei took my sparing skill to new levels. Shihan was the first person to receive a black belt under Grandmaster Trias.
Early in 2007, I contacted Kyoshi Eddie Bethea and asked him to be my sensei. I wanted to get back with the Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Organization under Hanshi Nakazato. This would have to be the best thing that I have done for my career.
In 2006, I signed a contract to teach karate full time at BASIS OF SCOTTSDALE. This is an accelerated middle school/high school that teaches Karate as an alternative to physical education.
In May or 2008, Newsweek Magazine ranked BASIS as the NUMBER ONE High School in the United States. I teach 5 or 7 classes each day at BASIS. I also teach 3 to 5 hours daily at my dojo, Southwest Center for the Martial Arts.
Tournament Karate USKA
My first win at the USKA Nationals was in 1993 at the age of 8. A “World Championship” followed this in 1995. With over a decade of competing in the USKA I have won many local, State, Regional, National and World Championships including:
2 USKA World Championships in Kata
4 USKA National Championships in Kobudo
2 USKA National Grand Championships in Kubudo
4 USKA National Point Championships in Kata
5 USKA National Point Championships in Kobudo
6 USKA National Point Championships in Kumite
During the 2001-2002 USKA Point Season at the Age of 16, I won “Triple Crowns” at 10 USKA Tournaments. I also won a “Triple Crown” in the USKA Point Championships and the ASKA Point Championships.
In additional to the Triple Crowns in 2001-2002, I won the following:
Southwest Regional Championships – 1st in Kata, 1st in Kumite, 3rd in Kobudo, 1st in Chanbara, 1st in Koshiki and 1st in Grappling.
New Mexico State Championships – 3rd in Kata, 1st in Kumite, 1st in Kobudo, 3rd in Grappling and 1st in Koshiki.
Pacific Regional Championships – 1st in Kata, 1st in Kumite, 2nd in Kobudo.
Arizona State Championships – 1st in Kata, 1st in Kobudo, 2nd in Chanbara, 2nd in Grappling, 1st in Koshiki, 2nd in team sparring.
USKA Nationals – 1St in Kata, 2nd in Kumite, 1st in Kobudo, Grand Champion Kobudo, 1st in Koshiki, 1st in Team Sparring.
In the 2001-2002 USKA National Point Championships, I finished: 1st in Kumite, 1st in Kata, 1st in Kobudo, tied for 1st in Koshiki, 2nd in Chanbara and 2nd in Grappling. I believe that I am the only USKA competitor to ever finish in the top three in all six events.
I elected not to compete during the 2002-2003 Point Season as my mother, father and I opened our own dojo “Southwest Center for the Martial Arts”. I felt that I needed to focus my attention on teaching and building the dojo. We did have several students that placed at both the USKA Nationals, at the USKA Worlds and in the National Point Standing. Southwest Center for the Martial Arts has been the Number One USKA School in Arizona since we opened the dojo.
Since entering the adult black belt division, I have finished First in Kata, Kumite and Kobudo in the Arizona ASKA/USKA point championships every year.
2003-2004 USKA National Points Champions: 1st in Weapons, 3rd in Kata and 3rd in Kumite
2005-2006 USKA National Points Champions 3rd in Weapons, 5th in Kata
2006-2007 USKA National Points Champion 3rd in Sparing, 7th in Kata, 7 in Weapons
2007 USKA National Championships – 1st in Sparring, 1st in Koshiki, 3in Kobudo
2008 National Championships – 2nd in Koshiki; 1st in Weapons, 4th in Kata
2008 National Points -3rd in weapons, 3rd in kata, and 5th in sparring. My dojo finished 5th in school standings and I finished 5th in instructor standings.
United State Karate Alliance Junior All American
Nominated to the United State Karate Alliance
Hall of Fame in 2004
Doug
Perry joined the Marine Corps as a private in June, 1956. He
retired as a “Mustang” Major in 1981 after over 24 years of
service to corps, country, and his fellow marines. He had a
varied career in the Corps, serving over the years as Browning
automatic rifleman (Barman), nuclear weapons
intelligence/security NCO, special operations in Vietnam under
the direct control of the Commanding General, III MAF LtGen. L.W.
Walt, and as an infantry platoon Sergeant (1st. Vietnam tour)
