Matthew Darling

Godan (5th Degree Black Belt)

Testing for Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) at the 2026 UechiCon!

Sensei: Bill Adams

Uechi Training since 2006

I began training when my parents put me in karate class as a child. When I was younger, I did not have much of a choice as I was brought to class and participated. I learned katas, did sparing, played dodgeball at the end of class like any other child in class. At the beginning, I definitely did not know what I was doing, I just knew I was learning something. Around green belt, was when I started to know what I was learning and the reasoning behind the motions I have been going through. I also had the choice at that time to stay or to leave karate and I chose to stay. My goal was to reach junior black belt and a few years later, I passed my junior shodan test. What kept me going was the community built from karate. I have always been a shy kid but being in karate and helping teach has brought my personality out. I had been told before that the senseis at my dojo were convinced I was mute until I was 8 years old when I was told to watch a class for a second and I suddenly started speaking to get the kids in order. Since then (I have also been told) I have never stopped talking. Teaching has taught me the need to look at things from a different perspective so kids can easily understand and that kids cannot line up unless there is tape on the ground. Karate has always been a part of my life and I cannot imagine my life without it.