We have mothers and fathers training with their kids. We give individual attention to each student. We offer the finest Martial Arts training in Uechi-ryu Katrate Do a traditional Okinwan style of karate. Please tell us about Brockton Uechi-ryu Karate Academy.īrockton Uechi-ryu Karate Academy is a state of the art, clean, and fully equipped 3000 sq. It took a few years to increase the active student membership to 96, the highest amount of members so far.
In 2008 the Brockton Uechi-ryu Karate Academy became my full time occupation. In 2007 I was laid off from a 35 year career at Polaroid Corporation. The Brockton Uechi-ryu Karate Academy ran as a hobby with about 50 students from 2000 to 2007.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome? Sensei Testa sits on Master Bethoney’s Bushido Organization testing panel for Black Belt Promotional.
The BUKA affiliations are with Bob Bethoney and his Uechi-ryu Karate Do Bushido Group George Mattson, President of the International Uechi-ryu Karate Federation (IUKF) and Sadanao Uechi (the great grandson of the original Grand Master Kanbun Uechi, for which the style is named), President of the SOKE Uechi-ryu Karate Association in Okinawa.
Testa was the promoter of the 2008 Uechi-ryu Karate Championship Series Finals held in Brockton and co-promoted the Uechi-ryu Karate Series held in Framingham Ma in 2014. Helping to provide an atmosphere for children’s competition, Sensei Testa, an experienced tournament head referee, helped to found and became the Director of the New England Junior Uechi-ryu Karate Championship Series, four individual tournaments held throughout New England to comprise a series for children to accumulate points toward a Grand Championship. The 2nd portion of the BUKA life skills program is Children’s Personal Safety Training. Also included in our character development program is the Lesson of the Month from the Martial Arts Industry Association of which the BUKA is a member. Today, Len holds the 2nd Master Rank of Kyoshi Nanadan (7th degree black belt) and is the Program Director and Chief Instructor of the Brockton Uechi-ryu Karate Academy Inc.īeing dedicated to the development of children’s life skills the BUKA incorporates the STAR in the Martial Arts Program which is a collaboration of effort by The Jefferson Center for Education and Mike Rozumek a Uechi-ryu Sensei from Pepperell Mass, for character development. After achieving the Rank of Yondan (4th Degree), Testa opened the Brockton Uechi-ryu Karate Academy in February of 2000 after his sensei closed the doors of his Brockton Dojo and moved to Pembroke for 10 years and is now permanently located in Hanson. When Master Bethoney opened the Pembroke Police Boys Club Karate School, he became a Senior Instructor teaching a children and an adult’s class at Bob’s Uechi-ryu Karate Do, Brockton Dojo. His first dojo was the Uechi-ryu Garage Karate Club held in his own garage. He has introduced Uechi-ryu Karate to over 3000 children ranging mostly in ages 7-12. He has taught at the Brookfield, Ashfield, Hancock, Raymond, Huntington, Kennedy, and Downey schools in Brockton. Beginning his karate training in January, at the Mattson Academy of Karate’s Brockton Dojo, under the direction of well-known Master Instructor Bob Bethoney – Hanshi Sei (4th degree master) Kudan (9th Degree Black Belt), a student of another well-known Master Instructor Arthur Rabesa – Hanshi (3rd degree master) Kudan (9th Degree Black Belt), who was a student of the International Uechi-ryu Karate Federation’s founder and President, Master Instructor George Mattson – Hanshi-Sei (5th degree master) Judan (10th Degree Black Belt), who brought the style to North America after learning from Ryuoko Tomoyose while stationed in Okinawa.Īfter receiving his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1983, he began teaching an afternoon adult class at Bob Bethoney’s Dojo, and two afternoon classes for the Brockton Community School after school program. (BUKA), Len has studied the art of Uechi-Ryu Karate Do since 1980. President of the Brockton Uechi-Ryu Karate Academy Inc. Today we’d like to introduce you to Len Testa.