In the summer of 1983, I started my karate training at the age of 12. My first karate sensei was a gentleman by the name of Jean Claude Luisdon. He was a pupil of Sensei Chuck Merriman. I spent the next thirteen years under the guidance of Merriman sensei. At the age of 16 I was promoted to shodan (entry level black belt, 1st degree) by the time I was nineteen I had my own dojo based out of the Mystic community center.

In 1991 I competed in my first international competition. This was Ozawa sensei’s tournament in Las Vegas. This was quite an experience. This year was also the time that I met Higaonna Morio Sensei (regarded as the world’s foremost authority on goju-ryu.) My team captain was Sensei Andre Tippett (former NE Patriot). I continued to compete on the team with Tippett sensei until 1995. In 1994 our team won the A.A.U. National Championship.

In 1993 Merriman sensei joined Higaonna sensei's organization. This was called the I.O.G.K.F. By 1995 the merger was dissolved and I found myself contemplating my future in the martial arts. Late 1995, I humbly bowed out of the place I considered home for many years and then traveled to continue my training under Higaonna Sensei. Higaonna Sensei, in my opinion, is the ideal example of the true Karate-do sensei!

By 1997 I had started a new dojo at the Groton Parks and Rec. This is a traditional dojo with dedicated students who train hard and truly care about the preservation of Traditional goju-ryu karate-do! It is now 2006 and my study of karate-do is 23 years strong and still on going.