ADULT BLACK BELT GRADUATES

BUTOKUKAN - Sixty-five years young - Fifteen years of training Martial arts is far more than physical training to me it is a lifelong path of self-development.

The study of martial arts teaches me to remain calm under pressure, act with integrity, and continually strive for improvement. It connects ancient wisdom with modern life, helping me become a better student, teacher, family member, and member of my community.

The ultimate purpose of my training is not simply to develop skill, but to become a better human being and to help others do the same.

BUTOKUKAN

Fifty-four years young

Fifteen years of training

BUTOKUKAN

Fifty-nine years young

Fifteen years of training

BUTOKUKAN - Fifty-one years young - Began Uechi Training in 1992

Thank you to all of my teachers, training partners and friends I’ve had over the past 34 years studying Uechi Ryu. My association with the Butokukai has been one of the most rewarding, fulfilling and enjoyable aspects of my life.

The relationships I have formed and the lessons I have been taught have truly helped me in every aspect of life. Most importantly, thank you to my family for their love and support of me “going to Karate”, as my lifelong pursuit of personal excellence wouldn’t be possible without them.

BUTOKUKAN

Sixty-Seven years young

Fifteen years of training

BUTOKUKAN - Fifty-five years young - Fifteen years of training

Thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged and believed in me throughout this journey over the past year and a half.

I am especially grateful to my 2 daughters, friends, my students and families, and dojo mates, who stood by me and believing in me every step of the way. You each played an important role in helping me reach this milestone.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

BUTOKUKAN

Sixty years young

Fifteen years of training

BUTOKUKAN

Twenty-six years old

Fifteen years of training

T. Rose’s Uechi Karate Dojo

Thirty-five years old

Fifteen years of training

BUTOKUKAN - Thirty-five years old - Fifteen years of training

A very special thank you to my family for all their continued support. I am so grateful to be able to share this martial arts journey with my husband, my father and my father-in-law.

I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for the support and guidance of Mr. Durkin, Mr. Traynor and many other senior students. For me, practicing and studying karate has been a lifelong journey which has been filled with friendships, community, lessons, memories and growth.

BUTOKUKAN - Twenty-One years old - Fifteen years of training

Martial arts has truly been the most beautiful and beneficial thing in my life. The community has been there for me since day one and I could not be more thankful.

I want to thank everyone who has helped me come this far. A special thanks to my dad, who is the reason I am even here today. If it wasn’t for him dragging me to class everyday I would not have made it this far and met many of my close friends and family.

BUTOKUKAN - Nineteen years old - Fifteen years of training

Ever since I started karate in 2011, I haven’t known anything else besides a life in martial arts. It has given me my closest friends and has helped me walk through life and its challenges.

It has helped me grow from a little kid to a grown adult and has helped me through multiple aspects, including my job and through school. I just wanna say thank you to everyone who has helped me get as far as I have, and none of my accomplishments would’ve happened without you.

BUTOKUKAN

Fifty-six years young

Seven years of training

BUTOKUKAN

Sixty-two years young

Seven years of training

BUTOKUKAN

Fifty-nine years young

Seven years of training

Leith Karate Academy

Fifty-eight years young

Eleven years of training

Randall School of Karate - Fifteen years old - Ten years of training

Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way.

Neil Stone’s Karate Academy

Forty-nine years young

Seven years of training

Randall School of Karate

Sixty-one years young

Sixteen years of training

BUTOKUKAN - Nineteen years old -Thirteen years of training

Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. Thank you Sensei Durkin - for everything.

Also, thanks to all of the people who help make the Butokukai happen and all of the amazing programs they offer to help students succeed.

Peter Pippos Karate Center

Fifty-six years young

Seven years of training

BUTOKUKAN

Thirty-seven years old

Seven years of training

Leith Karate Academy - Sixteen years old - Three years of training

Thank you to my sensei, William Leith. I have learned so much in the last 3 years.

Peter Pippos Karate Center - Sixteen years old - Ten years of training

Thank you so much to mom, dad and Sensei Peter for all your support, guidance and encouragement. Earning this new Adult Rank Black Belt means the world to me, and I couldn’t have done it without you.

BUTOKUKAN

Fifteen years old

Three years of training

Family Martial Arts of Pelham

Sixteen years old

Three years of training

Peter Pippos Karate Center

Sixteen years old

Three years of training

Peter Pippos Karate Center

Twenty-one years old

Three years of training

Peter Pippos Karate Center

Sixteen years old

Ten years of training

Peter Pippos Karate Center

Eighteen years old

Seven years of training

True North Karate - Twenty-seven years old - Three years of training

I just want to thank my mom for telling me what felt like 500 times to go and just try karate. And with her support, my dojo instructor & my dojo mates.

I have been able to succeed with my training over the past three years, which flew by in a blink of an eye. I am grateful for all the support I have received and I look forward to what the future holds.

Randall School of Karate - Seventy-Four years young - Five years of training

I have been training with Sensei Bruce Randall for four and a half years. I find Uechiryu very interesting and my training with Sensei Randall has been excellent. Also many thanks to the other black belts that have helped me.

BUTOKUKAN

Forty-six years young

Three years of training

Peter Pippos Karate Center

Seventeen years old

Three years of training

True North Karate - Sixty-four years young - Three years of training

1st I would like to thank my wife and children for putting up with me for the last 4 years of my training. I would also like to thank my dojo mates with helping me along the way, and putting up with me for the last 4 years.

Last but certainly not least I would like to thank Sensei Jen Maine for allowing me to continue my journey in Uechi ryu karate.

Thank you all

Peter Pippos Karate Center

Seventeen years old

Three years of training

Peter Pippos Karate Center - Seventeen years old - Ten years of training

Karate has helped me build confidence, discipline and character. I am very grateful to Senseis Peter and Luke Pippos for all their guidance and training.

Neil Stone’s Karate Academy

Nineteen years old

Seven years of training

Peter Pippos Karate Center

Sixteen years old

Three years of training

Neil Stone’s Karate Academy

Eighteen years old

Three years of training

Neil Stone’s Karate Academy

Sixteen years old

Three years of training

Peter Pippos Karate Center

Seventeen years old

Three years of training

Randall School of Karate - Seventeen years old - Three years of training

Thank you to everyone who has gotten me this far. I've been doing karate for almost five years now, and it has been a wonderful experience. Thank to you to Sensei Randall for being an encouraging teacher.

Karate is important to me because it brings me joy, discipline, confidence, self-respect and connection. Earning my black belt makes me realize the progress I’ve made since my first karate lesson!