Washington Karate Academy celebrates 30 years

Published 11:37 am Tuesday, July 7, 2015

DAVID CUCCHIARA | DAILY NEWS NEXT GENERATION: The current members of the Washington Karate Academy pose for a picture prior to the post-session celebration. Pictured in the front row (left to right) are Ida Perez, Sensei David Warren and Eduardo Perez-Cerino. Pictured in the back row (left to right) are Christian Perez, Tianna Van Cura, Ian Jones, Mike Crawford and Haley Weathington.

DAVID CUCCHIARA | DAILY NEWS
NEXT GENERATION: The current members of the Washington Karate Academy pose for a picture prior to the post-session celebration. Pictured in the front row (left to right) are Ida Perez, Sensei David Warren and Eduardo Perez-Cerino. Pictured in the back row (left to right) are Christian Perez, Tianna Van Cura, Ian Jones, Mike Crawford and Haley Weathington.

From teacher to student, Sensei to pupil, the codified traditions and techniques of martial arts have been passed down from generation to generation like a cherished family heirloom. Thousands of years of obedience to the practice of self-defense have grown the art, transforming it from its original formula to what you see today: the culmination of various forms, styles and applications.

Sensei David Warren of the Washington Karate Academy has dedicated half of his life to martial arts. This week, his dojo celebrates 30 years of operation in the Washington community.

“I’ve trained all kinds of people from all walks of life — doctors, lawyers, dentists, surgeons, just everyday people,” Warren said. “The most common thing I hear people say when they come in is that they want to learn discipline, or they want their child to learn discipline.”

The Academy prides itself on honoring the traditional martial arts in a modern society, while respecting the belt ranks. It’s an old school atmosphere based on foundational and educational values, focused on building self-esteem and confidence.

In the last 25 years, Warren has promoted 26 students to the rank of Shodan, or first-degree Black Belt. Of those 26, nine have earned Nidan rank, or second-degree Black Belt. Only one of Warren’s understudies has achieved Sandan, or third-degree Black Belt, Joshua Chandler, who still continues to train at the Academy. Chandler went on to earn Yandan, or fourth-degree Black Belt, and now trains pupils of his own.

This month, two adults — Mike Clemmo and Christian Perez — and one youth, Ian Jones, made their white belt promotions, as Warren continues to mentor the willing, retiree or adolescent.

Warren began his martial arts career in the late-1970s under the tutelage of Sensei Carl Miller. Miller instructed Warren in a more Japanese-based style of karate called Shita-ryu.

“At my age, most people saw Bruce Lee when they were a kid. I saw him for the first time downtown at the Turnage Theater. That was phenomenal,” Warren said.

“I was probably one of the youngest in the class, 19 years old. We didn’t have sparring gear like we do today … I think we had a mouthpiece and we sparred. My classmates were mostly Highway Patrol and Beaufort County Sheriffs. Here’s a 19-year-old kid fighting grown men. I was taught growing up that these were people of respect and authority, so I was scared to death.”

As Warren worked his way up the ranks, his love for the art grew, until one day he decided to open up a school, though he knew little about owning a business. Through the Academy’s early stages, Warren was introduced to Charles June, a Sensei in Greenville who specializes in eclectic Goju-ryu, a more all-encompassing form of karate. June became a mentor to Warren, who continued to hone his craft and elevate his belt status. Under Roland Rivera, Warren added Arnis, or Filipino-based stick fighting, to his repertoire, while later learning other art forms like weapons and judo.

Warren sees karate as a calling and plans to continue teaching local adults and youth the art.

“June Sensei is 18 years older than me,” Warren said. “My hopes are that whatever age he is when he retires, that’s when I’m going to go. If he quits at 70, then I have 15 more years to go. I’ve achieved a lot of things. He’s told me I’ve ran a dojo longer than any other of his black belts.”