Richard Bennett
4th Degree Black Belt
Richard Bennett with Master Thompson Dec. '06
Birthdate: 6/12/1983
Richard Bennett has been studying Uechi Ryu since he was 4 years old. At 12 years old, he received his junior black belt and then his full black belt at 16. Even before he was a black belt, Richard has been teaching classes and now has over 20 years of Uechi Ryu karate experience, and 15 years teaching experience. While attending college at Western Michigan University for 2 years, Richard studied directly under Master James Thompson, and has received all of his black belt ranks from Master Kanmei Uechi and Master Thompson. Richard continues to be one of the youngest black belts at each rank by testing at every minimum age requirement set in place by the Japanese Ministry of Education.
Other Accomplishments:
College Graduate from the University of Colorado, Dec. 2005 - Anthropology
Eagle Scout, Gerald R. Ford Council - Grand Rapids, MI Troop 253
Member of the Matayoshi Dojo - Naha, Okinawa
Shodan-ho:
Shodan:
Nidan:
Sandan:
Yondan:
Nov
May
Nov
Nov
May
1995
2000
2001
2004
2008
Meaningful Awards:
1st place, Uechi Ryu National Championship
Antioch, Cal. 1992: Hosted by Alan Dollar
9, 10, 11 year old division - Fighting
1st place, Uechi Ryu Regional Championship
Kalamazoo, MI 1994: Hosted by Master Thompson
9, 10, 11 year old division - Fighting
1st place, Uechi Ryu National Championship
Kalamazoo, MI 1994: Hosted by Master Thompson
9, 10, 11 year old division - Kata
1st Place, Uechi Ryu National Championship
Kalamzoo, MI 2002: Hosted by Master Thompson
Black Belt Men 18yr + Division - Light Weight Fighting
1st Place - Grand Master - Uechi Ryu Regional Championship
Kalamzoo, MI 2003: Hosted by Master Thompson
Black Belt Men 18yr + Division - Light Weight/Heavy Weight Fighting
2nd Place, Uechi Ryu World Championship
Clearwater, Florida: Hosted by Master Ric Martin
Black Belt Men 18yr+ Division - Middle Weight
Richard Bennett is a member of the Matayoshi Kobudo dojo located in Naha, Okinawa. He trains at the Boulder Kodokan under Sensei Paul Ghering. The Boulder Kodokan is one of the only locations in the United States affilated directly with the Matayoshi system.
Richard Bennett and Sensei Itokazu Seisho
Boulder Kodokan and Sensei Itokazu at the Okinawa Budokan
Copyright 2009: Bennetts Karate, LLC. All rights reserved.
