Master Al Wharton's Biography
Master Al Wharton
began his study of Uechi Ryu Karate
in 1969 in Boston Massachusetts at
the Mattson Academy of Karate. He
accredits his growth in Uechi Ryu to
Masters George Mattson, Jim Maloney,
and Bob Campbell and an acute
observation of the Okinawa Masters;
he has always maintained an attitude
of being a student, and keeping an
open mind. Master Wharton has had a
very successful tournament career;
especially in fighting or kumite.
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He
credits most of his
successes in this area to
Masters Jim Maloney and
Kazumi Tabata. He has been
player, team captain and
coach for the Bermuda
National Karate team on many
occasions, and was inducted
into the Uechi Ryu “Hall of
Fame” in 1982. He has also
been recognized by the
Government of Bermuda for
his efforts in the fostering
and development of Martial
Arts in Bermuda, through his
hosting of many Martial Arts
Tournaments, Demonstrations,
and Seminars over the years.
Master Wharton was awarded
the rank of Hachi-Dan or 8th
Degree Black Belt in August
2005 by the International
Uechi Ryu Karate Federation.
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He continues
to teach Uechi Ryu Karate,
Bak-Sil-Lum Kung fu and Chen
style Tai Chi Chuan at his
Bermuda Arts and Fitness
Academy.
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Mission Statement |
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Our mission is to
teach students the ancient oriental
martial arts and the principles of
success and discipline embodied in
their practice. We do this by
teaching our Karate and Kung Fu as
complete disciplines incorporating
the mental, physical and spiritual
aspects of martial training. In
addition to developing the skills
and techniques of physical defense,
practice develops mental and
physical balance, hardiness and
acuity, and promotes the development
of character. Through our practice
and teaching we strive to produce
socially responsible students who
set and maintain high personal
standards, who give and earn the
respect of others and who are
positive and contributing members of
society. |
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Curriculum:
The curriculum at the
Bermuda Arts and Fitness Academy is
designed to provide students with a
well rounded training experience and
consists of warm up, stretching and
conditioning exercises, kicking and
punching techniques, empty hand and
weapon forms training, self defense
drills and tournament fighting
techniques. Through the practice and
mastery of the physical skills of
the martial arts, the student will
learn and develop worthwhile
psychological skills and mental
attributes such as concentration,
determination, perseverance,
confidence and self-control. In
addition, the stress reducing and
health promoting aspects of such
practice are well documented.
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Self-defense training is an integral
part of the curriculum and includes
blocking, kicking, joint locking and
take-down techniques. |
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Students are also
introduced to the concepts and
principles underlying fighting
strategy. |
Fighting forms incorporate
self-defense techniques and
applications. Form training provides
a complete workout designed to
develop the coordination, stamina,
strength and skill to successfully
execute these self-defense
techniques and applications.
Tournament sparring is offered in
the form of sparring seminars within
the programme on an optional basis
and consists of fighting drills
designed to improve speed, power,
timing and focus; and free sparring
practice matches. Students are
required to wear regulation safety
equipment for all sparring practice.
Promotional grading exams take place
three times per year and are
normally held during the months of
December, April and July. Students
who have met the eligibility
criteria for attendance and time in
rank will be invited for grading at
those times.
Warrior's Code of
Conduct:
In both their training and
interaction with others, students
are expected to conduct themselves
with dignity and humility and to
develop a style of life
characterized by respect, courtesy,
cleanliness, responsibility,
integrity, self-discipline, loyalty,
unconditional self-esteem,
determination, perseverance, and
self-mastery. A journey of a
thousand miles begins with the first
step. Thank you for taking that step
with the Bermuda Arts and Fitness
Academy. May you find your journey
be filled with endless rewards.
Sincerely,
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