Sanny Yu

Godan (5th Degree Black Belt)

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

Sensei: Bill Adams

Uechi Training since 2006

My karate journey started in 2006 when my parents enrolled me in karate class. I learned katas, did sparring, and played dodgeball at the end of classes like any other child. At the beginning, I definitely did not know what I was learning, I just knew I was learning something. It was not until I earned my green belt that I started to know what I was learning and the reasons behind the motions I had been going through. At that time, I had the choice of continuing or leaving karate and I chose to continue. My goal was to reach junior black belt and not long after, I passed my junior Shodan test. 

What kept me going was the community I had built from karate. I had always been a shy child but being in karate and helping teach had brought my personality out. I had been told by my senseis before that they were convinced I was mute until one day I was told to watch the class for a moment and I started speaking to get the students in order. Since then (I had also been told) I had never stopped speaking. Teaching has taught me to look at things from a different perspective and also how to line up class without the need of tape on the floor. 

Throughout my years of karate training, I have gotten a lot of support. I would like to thank my parents who guided me to the world of karate, to Sensei Bill Adams and all the other senseis at Bill Adams’ Uechi Karate who have led me through my years of karate, and lastly, to myself who has persevered to continue through the past 20 years. Without their support, I would not be where I am today.