Biography of Roy F. Robinson

5th Degree Black Belt

Sensei Roy Robinson began his martial arts training in 1966. As a youth, he studied Kodokan Judo at the YMCA in Minot, North Dakota under Sensei Harry Aziz. After two years of training and several tournaments, Roy’s parents brought him to Florida.

Around 1969 in West Palm Beach, Florida, Robinson joined The Karado Karate Academy, training for six years under the founder; Warren Siciliano. Robinson was a regular tournament competitor. Robinson was able to experience the martial arts of many prominent practitioners; including, Daniel K Pai, John Pachivas, Lou Neglia. This is when Robinson found his love of karate.

Robinson first tasted Uechi-Ryu Karate around 1977. Robinson entered a Uechi-Ryu school in Greenacres Florida, at the town’s civic center. The instructor transient; Robinson continued the search of a dojo, joining several dojo through the years and not finding the martial art and school to meet his expectations. In October 1985 Robinson Joined the Florida Institute of Martial Arts. This is a Uechi-Ryu dojo run by William Hall. This dojo was heavily competitive with students taking home medals from around the world; U.S. Nationals, and the Pan American Games, South America. In this dojo Robinson found the intense training and body conditioning he was looking for. In 1988 Robinson, Sensei Ayala and Sensei Hall met Kanei Uechi on Okinawa. They trained in several dojo under the guidance of Sensei Sugio Takimaygi. In the USA, Robinson was a frequent tournament competitor in local, state and regional tournaments. In 1992, Robinson received Judge certification (in U.S.A. karate Federation) under George Anderson and Julius Thery. In 1992, Sensei William Hall promoted Robinson to Shodan, certified him as Instructor and helped him open his own dojo in Lake Worth Florida. In 1992 The Cornerstone Martial Arts Association was founded. The dojo was a house that was made into a neighborhood community center. Each class was about 40 students from 8 to 53 years of age, from white belt to 2nd degree black belt. All training together. There were no separate classes. We were hitting the tournament circuits with the United States Karate Federation, The Florida Sunshine State Games then the Amateur Athletic Union and anyone that looked like a decent competitor. We gave demonstrations for local schools, holidays and neighborhood events. Students drooled at heavy competition and the heart’s desire to overcome last year’s competitors in the years to come.

In 1994, Robinson was invited to Fort Lauderdale Florida to start training with Sensei William Keith. Also in 1994, John Druin, the regional representative for Amateur Athletic Union - Karate invited Robinson to have his school join the AAU karate circuit. In 1995, Sensei Keith promoted Robinson to Nidan in Uechi-Ryu, Shohei-Ryu through Sensei Nakahodo in Okinawa. In 1999, Robinson was promoted to Sandan while attending training with Sensei James Thompson. Robinson also received Shidoin teaching certification.

Sensei Robinson is always trying to broaden his karate studies and abilities. In 2000, Robinson became a student of Sensei Mike Andrews in the study of Ryukyu Kempo, Kyusho Jitsu, at the Delray Beach Dojo in Florida. Sensei Andrews teaches Kyusho Jitsu to practitioners of traditional systems. Kyusho Jitsu teaches controlling the systems of the human body by way of its various pressure points through the practice and study of kata. Tuite teaches controlling the skeletal system and its connective structures through the practice and study of kata. Robinson, through his travels and training, discovered that Sensei Jon Cierri in Florida had become the one he is accountable to; his sensei, and his friend. Because of Jon Cierri Sensei, Robinson and his students became members of the Uechi Ryu Karate Association Hong Kong. In 2006 Robinson received the rank of Yondan and in 2010 the rank of Godan and Shihan teaching certification. Robinson Sensei has taught local, state and federal law enforcement officers, riot control training, and classes for the handicapped.

Other Dates

  • 1976 Emergency Medical Technician
  • 1976-1978, State of Florida certified correctional officer
  • 1978-1981, State of Florida certified police officer
  • 1981-2005, Deputy Sheriff Palm Beach County Florida
  • 2005 Ordained Minister
  • 2008 Pastor, Certified Counselor, Deliverance Minister

Robinson Sensei may be contacted at: rrev19@aol.com.