BERMUDA​KARATEINSTITUTE

1930 Born February 18, Paget Bermuda

1945 First martial art boxing, Bermuda

1947 Moved to New York

1950-3 Served in U. S. Army, boxer

1955-67 Merchant seaman U S. merchant marine.

Studied karate in the Manila, Philippines with Latino Gonzalez

Studied karate in Kobe, Japan

Studied karate with principal teacher, Peter Urban, New York

Studied and trained with Chuck Merriman and Frank Ruiz, New York

1967-9 Bouncer and karate performer at "the Scene" run by Steve Paul in New York

1969 Auxiliary policeman, New York: citation

1970 Returned to Bermuda, founded Bermuda Karate Institute

1972 Promoted first karate tournament in Bermuda

1973 Organized the first Bermuda Karate Federation aimed at international competition and recognized by Government, promoted first public demonstration of self-defense in Bermuda

1974 Presented first kung-fu/wu-shu exhibition in Bermuda with students of Alan Lee

1975 Headed first Bermuda team in competition abroad - S. HenryCho's tournament, headed first Bermuda team in WUKO (now WKF)

1976 Promoted first international team competition in Bermuda

1980 Entered and won his first open kata competition at the Battle of the Zodiac in Jamaica, New York

1983 Promoted the first Bermuda Open Karate Championships (to be celebrated for the 32nd time in 2014), which has attracted competitors from the U S . Canada, England, Germany Austria and Argentina

1985-8 Promoted the BIG (Bermuda International Grandchampionships), the first international professional karate competition in Bermuda which was voted into the PKL (Professional Karate League) Hall of Fame as the best tournament in North America in 1988; the years of BIG provided a substantial economic benefit to Bermuda through the estimated 250 people who came to the island each year for the event, some of whom became repeat visitors

1987 Served as Assistant Coach of the Atlantic Karate Team, with Assistant Coach Tokey Hill a former WUKO world champion, and Head Coach Chuck Merriman who coached the U S. team to several gold and silver medals in WUKO competition

1988-90 Continued as Assistant Coach of the Trans World Oil Karate Team, which grew from the Atlantic Karate Team, composed of top martial arts champions from the U S and Canada, achieving an outstanding unbeaten team and individual record throughout their competitive history

1988 Ranked sixth in senior kata by PKL on the North American open circuit - the only Bermudian ever to achieve a rating; first and only Bermudian featured on the cover of an international martial arts magazine September "BLACK BELT" Skipper has also been written up in martial arts magazines in Italy, Malaysia and India.

1989 Division winner and grandchampion runner-up at LAMA Nationals in Chicago beating among others Kevin Thompson, 3 times triple world champion In WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations)

1991 Coached first Bermuda team in WAKO competition in London in October, including first Bermudian to win a medal in international martial arts competition - David Simons bronze soft forms; placed fifth in hard weapons in open kata division

1992 Coached first Bermuda team in World Karate Organization (WKO - formerly WKF in Mestre, Italy winning gold medal for senior kata - as a result of this performance 20 English and 2 Argentine competitors attended the 11th Bermuda Open Karate Championships the following year

1993 First place in senior kata division (for 9th and 10th dans only) at Gotay's All Goju Invitational in New York.

1994 April Second in senior forms at the Battle of Boston a performance which was highlighted in "SPORT KARATE" magazine; also first place of 15 masters in the senior kata division of Al Gotay's All Golu Invitational In New York

1994 May Received Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honor in the Queen's Birthday List for his contributions to martial arts in Bermuda, first Bermudian martial artist to receive this distinction; he sent an honorary black belt to Queen Elizabeth on this occasion

1994 October Coached the first Bermuda team to include a gold medal winner in sparring in international competition, Gladwin "Roots" Phillips in men's traditional sparring under 66 kg at the 2nd WKO World Championships in Buenos Aires Argentina. also in October won a gold medal in senior forms at the Goodwill Tournament of the Miyagi Chojun Festival in Niantic, Connecticut, and received an award from the organizing committee recognizing him as the founder of karate in Bermuda and for his international achievements

1995 June Won first place in over-35 kata at the Nisei Goju Open in New York, went on to win kata grandchampionship, beating under-35 winners in Okinawan/Japanese, Goju, Tae Kwon Do and Jiu-jitsu divisions September inducted into Hall of Fame of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council with headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida November Placed first in grandmasters (over 45) kata at Welch's All Okinawan/Japanese Traditional Karate Tournament in Washington, D. C.

1996 May Won first place in over-35 kata at Canadian Karate Organization Open Championships in Hamilton, Ontario, where son Zenji took gold in men's kata and bronze in weapons