Chief Administrator of the original style in the United States
Hanshi Robert Scaglione began his karate training in 1967. He earned his Black Belt in 1972 from Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro, founder of the Shorin-Ryu Karate U.S.A. system. Hanshi Scaglione is the Chief Administrator of the original style in the United States. He has traveled with Grand Master Ansei Ueshiro throughout the U.S.A. and as his representative worldwide.Born in Brooklyn, New York, Hanshi served in the U.S. Navy and became a NYC Police Officer.
He voluntarily worked exclusively in high crime/high hazard areas during his entire 20 year tenure with the NYPD. He served in many assignments in all five boroughs of New York City including uniformed street cop, undercover officer and as a Detective in the elite Special Investigating Unit featured in the film "The French Connection." He led the NYPD in felony arrests many times and has numerous awards, citations and letters of commendation from Police Department officials, Federal Agencies, District Attorneys, Grand jurors and the civilian community. He retired from police service in order to devote himself full time to the art of karate.
Hanshi began his karate training in the NYPD. He continued his training under Sensei Terry Maccarrone- Shihan of the Hegashi Karate Dojo on Long Island, New York. He was Senior Instructor at the St. James Dojo for five years. Master Ueshiro, wanting a dojo in Manhattan, asked Hanshi to open a dojo in New York City. He founded the NYC dojo in 1977, which became the headquarters of Shorin-Ryu Karate USA several years later. After ten years, in 1987, Hanshi relocated to Merritt Island, Florida and founded the Okinawan Karate Dojo leaving his senior student David Baker, Kyoshi, to continue operation of the NYC Hombu dojo.
In 2002 Hanshi continued the propagation of the Shorin-Ryu style in Florida with the founding of the Cocoa Beach Karate Dojo, and in 2004 the Cocoa YMCA Brevard Community College Dojo. Over 250 students began their training directly under Hanshi Scaglione and have attained black belt level. He continues to work closely with all his black belts, including those who have opened the (18) dojo/clubs on the mainland US, Hawaii, China, and in Israel. Among his students are many professionals, doctors, lawyers, military officers, police officers, business executives, artists, writers, housewives, students and children.
Hanshi is the co-author with artist Bill Cummins, Ni Dan, of "The Shorin-Ryu Karate Question and Answer Book" and has written another entitled "Building Warrior Spirit." His student David Seeger, Kyoshi, an Emmy Award winner, has produced several karate videos with Hanshi. Hanshi has written and assisted his students in writing newspaper and magazine articles, film scripts on varied subjects, novels, and stage plays. He has appeared on national TV and radio, in stage productions, and at Universities and schools giving karate demonstrations and lectures on self-defense and assault prevention. Hanshi Has four sons. Sal is a Hachi Dan black belt and co-Shihan of the Ueshiro Northern Virginia Karate Club.
Hanshi is Shihan of the Viera, Florida Dojo, which he founded in 2007.
His sons Robert Jr., Dion, and Shane are all Dan level black belts.
