Author: Steven Hatfield
Wae-Kune-Do Karate is a very unique form of martial arts. It incorporates the beauty of the traditional arts with the practicality of living in a modern and urban society. This particular system of karate is a very difficult and demanding discipline which teaches the students the balance between mental and physical strength, as well as humility and restraint. This system has not been intended for Hollywood, but rather to be taught as a way of life, with students learning to contribute positively to their world and community. Our motto is "We enter to learn. We leave to serve!"
Wae-Kune-Do Karate is a very unique form of martial arts. It incorporates the beauty of the traditional arts with the practicality of living in a modern and urban society. This particular system of karate is a very difficult and demanding discipline which teaches the students the balance between mental and physical strength, as well as humility and restraint. This system has not been intended for Hollywood, but rather to be taught as a way of life, with students learning to contribute positively to their world and community. Our motto is "We enter to learn. We leave to serve!"
The system of Wae-Kune-Do Karate was founded by Grandmaster Clarence E. West in 1969. Master West began studying the arts in Washington, D.C., under Sensei Jerry Barnett. After returning to his home state of Ohio, he studied under numerous instructors in the arts Goju Ryu Karate, Taekwondo, Aikido, and Isshin Ryu Karate. His most influential instructor was Master Lester Russaw of Tang Soo Do. Despite all of his experience in the arts, Master West still felt that a void existed in the way that they prepared people for life in today's urban society. In an attempt to fill that void, Master West spent three intense years in his home dojo perfecting what we now know as Wae-Kune-Do Karate, translated as "the art of taking away and creating an illusion." He did this by taking the best of his training and combining it with newly developed, successful techniques for street defense, tournaments and self defense.
After 30 plus years of hard work Master West's system has been recognized throughout the U.S.A and Canada and he was even listed in the 1990’s "Who's Who in the Martial Arts." He has won numerous martial arts championships and holds titles nationally and internationally. Two of his most notable fights were against Grandmaster Billy Blanks and Grandmaster Chuck Norris in 1970 (GM West was the first to beat GM Norris in five years). During his creation of Wae-Kune-Do, at any point he could have chosen to wear a 10th Dan as most founders claim, but he never once did so. When he first began teaching his art, he only claimed the rank of 3rd Dan and as the years went on, and as his students grew, he slowly progressed in rank and rightfully so.
After 30 plus years of hard work Master West's system has been recognized throughout the U.S.A and Canada and he was even listed in the 1990’s "Who's Who in the Martial Arts." He has won numerous martial arts championships and holds titles nationally and internationally. Two of his most notable fights were against Grandmaster Billy Blanks and Grandmaster Chuck Norris in 1970 (GM West was the first to beat GM Norris in five years). During his creation of Wae-Kune-Do, at any point he could have chosen to wear a 10th Dan as most founders claim, but he never once did so. When he first began teaching his art, he only claimed the rank of 3rd Dan and as the years went on, and as his students grew, he slowly progressed in rank and rightfully so.
