Joseph Bentley

Nanadan (7th Degree Black Belt)

Testing for Hachidan (8th Degree Black Belt) at the 2026 UechiCon!

Sensei: Buzz Durkin

Original Sensei: Ed DeCosta (Previously Buzz Durkin before then)

Uechi Training since September 1994

I began my martial arts training in September 1994 at the Buzz Durkin karate school in Atkinson NH. My good friend, Sam Zanghi, had a black belt then and I was in awe of him being a black belt, even though I didn’t really know what it meant to be a black belt. I can still remember my first introductory class with Steve Perry. I remember being very confused that he was teaching me and not Buzz Durkin. I had no idea what to expect and after that 1st class I went home, worked on the blocks & punches that he taught me having no idea what the future would bring. One day, I think I was a green belt, I was walking down the hall at the dojo and two guys were talking about someone being too rough in class.

I asked them who they were talking about and they said “you”. I didn’t know if I should be proud of myself or not. My time as a kyu rank flew by with promotions happening quickly and my focus was on getting my black belt. I remember testing for my Shodan rank with 6 other black belt candidates. Of course, I was nervous, but I felt like I was ready for the test. After getting promoted to first degree black belt I felt pretty confident, although I remember being in the locker room before the next class. I suddenly got nervous thinking that someone in class would think I actually knew what I was doing.

Today, only me and Mike Boudreau are still studying with Sensei Durkin. I continued to work out with Sensei Durkin for several more years and I was even fortunate enough to teach some classes too. Everything changed in 2004 when we relocated to Rhode Island and I needed to find a new dojo.

Luckily for me I was able to find a new Uechi teacher - Ed DeCosta, who happened to have opened his dojo on the same month and year as Sensei Durkin. I continued to study with Sensei DeCosta for 17 years, I improved my skills and I was able to teach some classes as well. Before I left, I tested for 7th degree black belt with Ed DeCosta – it was a very long and challenging process. After my test, I told my wife, Wendy, that I didn’t care if I ever tested again.

Once again, everything changed when we relocated back to NH in 2022. I told Wendy that I was going to call Sensei Durkin about going back to the dojo. She asked me why I was calling him since I said that I didn’t care if I ever worked out again. Big Difference!

So, now I was back again with Buzz Durkin for the first time since 2001 and I love being back at my home dojo. It is great to be back working out with many old friends and new friends too. I want to thank everyone that helped me along the way, including Ed DeCosta and especially Buzz Durkin!