GRANDMASTER ANSEI UESHIRO
The founder of Shorin-Ryu Karate USA, Grandmaster Ansei Ueshiro, an Okinawan by birth, set foot on the mainland of the USA for the first time on September 15, l962. He was one of the first Oriental martial artists to bring karate to this country, and he went on to become one of the most influential karatemen in the world today. At the request of his sensei, Grand Master Shoshin Nagamine, the founder of Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu, the landmark decision to leave Okinawa was made and agreed upon by Master Ueshiro and his teachers and students. By special visa of the United States government, Master Ueshiro made the voyage in order to bring the art of Shorin-Ryu to America.
When he was a child, he suffered through the agonies of World War II on his homeland, Okinawa, one of the most violent battlefields of the war. He then endured the aftermath of the war, the rebuilding of Okinawa.
Master Ueshiro, who was physically disabled during the war, overcame this disability by becoming more proficient with his maimed hands than any other karate practitioner of his time. At first, after the injury, some people suggested he wear gloves to hide the disfigurement and scars. He refused and developed tremendous skill, dexterity and strength in his hands and body. He also became world renowned for his bojutsu.
Master Ueshiro's fortitude, strength of character, and karate training enabled him to survive and to succeed. Hanshi Ueshiro taught karate, opened many dojo in the East and Midwest, and successfully built the organization to what it is today. Presently there is a network of over 100 Shorin-Ryu Karate dojo in the U.S. which directly trace their roots and heritage to Hanshi Ueshiro or his students.
Hanshi Ueshiro is a direct blood descendant of the Okinawan "Bushi" class of warriors. His father, Anho Ueshiro, was his first teacher, along with Entasu Isaenta and Toguchi Seitoku. From these three main teachers, Master Ueshiro gained much of his karate knowledge, which formed the foundation of his skills. Later, he entered the dojo of Grand Master Shoshin Nagamine. And, even as a young man, Ansei Ueshiro brought much to the Okinawan dojo, eventually becoming Chief Instructor at the main dojo in Naha. There, until he left for the United States, he continued to train vigorously on a daily basis with many of today's most famous karatemen.
Since 1962, we in America are privileged to enjoy the art of Matsubayashi Karate under Master Ueshiro's guidance and expertise. We, the students of Shorin-Ryu, are the beneficiaries of his efforts and are proud of Shorin-Ryu Karate U.S.A., the original style, here in the United States.
HANSHI ROBERT SCAGLIONE
Hanshi Robert Scaglione began his karate training in 1967. This is his 41st anniversary as a Black belt under 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 Go Dan Black belt, and co-Shihan at the East Meets West Karate School of Northern Virginia. His sons Robert Jr., Dion, and Shane are all Dan level black belts.
SENSEI KURT TEZEL
Sensei Kurt Tezel began training with Shorin-Ryu Karate USA in 1999 under Hanshi Robert Scaglione under whom he continues to train. Sensei Tezel was promoted to the rank of Fifth degree Black Belt in August 2012. Sensei Tezel is a practitioner of the Sai (three pronged ancient sword-blocking weapon). Sensei Tezel is self-employed with a family owned and operated commercial real estate investment company. He is married to Tricia and they have four children. Their oldest child, Trevor holds the rank of Ni-Dan (2nd degree blackbelt) and their youngest child, Kevin, holds the rank of Ik-kyu (brown belt with black tips).
SENSEI RON MARCHETTI
SEMPAI CARLA EDDY
Kurt Tezel, Shihan
Phone: 321.536.6516
E-mail: kurt@tezelinvestments.com