Representing Team Wright at the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame (from left to right): Cassandra Jedrzejczyk, Declan McCormick, Grandmaster Austin Wright Sr.–International Director, and Keith Hampton Jr.

Head coach Austin Wright Sr. was recognized and inducted by the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame Hall of Heroâ€s.

Wright was inducted in the category of “Grandmaster Leading by Example Award.” Wright is known for his “Spirit of the Dragon Warrior” because of his championship-leadership and CHI (Character, Humility, and Integrity).

There were several members of Team Wright who earned the Kidz Award at the Hall of Fame for their passion in karate, for team competition, winning national championships for New Jersey, and community service.

One of the Team Wright members who received the Kidz Award from the USA Hall of Fame was the 15-year-old Keith Hampton Jr.; he won the Outstanding Jr. Black Belt of the Year Award. The Top Rated Jr. Male Competitor Award was presented to Declan McCormick and the Top Rated Jr. Female Competitor Award was awarded to Cassandra Jedrzejczyk. All students mentioned are members of the UWA Martial Arts Federation of America and U.S. National Martial Arts Team “Alliance.”

For more information call (201)437-1820 or visit our website www.karatenjmma.com.

The post New Jersey’s Austin Wright Sr, Hampton Jr., McCormick, and Jedrzejczyk were recognized by NJ USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame first appeared on River View Observer.

Head coach Austin Wright Sr. was recognized and inducted by the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame Hall of Heroâ€s. Wright was inducted in the category of “Grandmaster Leading by Example Award.” Wright is known for his “Spirit of the Dragon Warrior” because of his championship-leadership and CHI (Character, Humility, and Integrity). There were several members of Team Wright who earned the Kidz Award at the Hall of Fame for their passion in karate, for team competition, winning national championships for New Jersey, and community service. One of the Team Wright members who received the Kidz Award from the USA Hall of Fame was the 15-year-old Keith Hampton Jr.; he won the Outstanding Jr. Black Belt of the Year Award. The Top Rated Jr. Male Competitor Award was presented to Declan McCormick and the Top Rated Jr. Female Competitor Award was awarded to Cassandra Jedrzejczyk. All students mentioned are members of the UWA Martial Arts Federation of America and U.S. National Martial Arts Team “Alliance.”

For more information call (201)437-1820 or visit our website www.karatenjmma.com.

The post New Jersey’s Austin Wright Sr, Hampton Jr., McCormick, and Jedrzejczyk were recognized by NJ USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame first appeared on River View Observer.

Our newest Rising White Belt Karate Stars were Nico Sampson (Wrightâ€s nephew) and Mr. John Daniel (white belt) who both took first place in their kumite Novice Divisions. John Daniel came short of winning the “Grand Championship” after beating the Yellow Belt Champ, Green Belt Champ, Brown Belt Champ, and another Brown Belt for a close match for the final Grand Championship. John and Nico represented Team Wright as a strong dominating force for the “Bayonne Warriors,” says Head Coach and Trainer Hanshi Grandmaster Austin Wright Sr. In addition, Kenneth Jackson Jr.—black belt—was the 2017 Defending Division Grand Champion. He became Runner Up this year. He lost a close match 5-4 for the 2018 Grand Championship. Sensei Jackson also placed 2^nd in Kata.

Other Karate Stars:

• Effrain Rivas– Yellow Belt 1^st Place Kumite
• Novice Division, Declan McCormick- 1^st Place Kata, 2^nd Place Weapons and 3^rd Place Sparring
• Angel Cuatlayol– 1^st Place in Kata and 4^th in Sparring
• Chloe Rivas- 2^nd Place in Kata
• Rishi Anand- 1^st Place in Brown Belt Kids Division and 1^st Kata Division
• Michael Barrantes– 1^st Place Green Belt Division

Coaches who attended were Kenneth Jackson Sr. and UWA International Director Grand Master Hanshi Austin Wright Sr. who is also a World Champion and former USAF Instructor. For more information on Championship Training, call (201)437-1820 or check out our website www.karatenjmma.com.

The post Bayonne’s Elite Team Wright Triumphs at NJ Karate Championship first appeared on River View Observer.

One of Bayonneâ€s 1^st Generations of Original Karate and Kick-Boxing Legends was Hanshi (Grand Master) Ralph Passero.

Mr. Passero is a “Living Legend” and a Professional Kick-Boxing Champion with the New York Puppets (Professional Full Contact Kick-Boxing Team) as well as numerous Karate Kumite Grand Championships.

In fact, most of the Original Martial Artist from the 70â€s forward remember the hard work and dedication he has put into Isshin-Ryu Karate. His determination and resilience is what makes Hanshi Ralph Passero the man he is.  He has put his Lifeâ€s Mission into A.O.K.A Inc.

Grandmaster Hanshi Passero has Promoted Benefit Tournaments with Famous names like Professional Boxers Chuck Wepner and Mike (Nino) Gonzalez, Grandmaster Don Nagle, and Dr. Michael and George Wanko and Hanshi Dennis Wright, just to name a few.

In his career Mr. Passero coached Hanshi Larry “Thunder Foot” Cureton to a successful Kick-Boxing Career and several UFC Mixed Martial Arts Fights.

Ralph Passero is a Vietnam Veteran and Member of the VFW Post 226. He is a Multiple Karate and Martial Arts Hall of Famer as well as being known as a “Master Breaker” breaking ice, concrete and even a side walk slabs.  In fact,  (Austin Wright Sr.),of UWA was a witness to Mr.  Passero’s career while growing  up  and training with his dad Hanshi Dennis Wright.  Ralph and Dennis Sparred for hours prior to bouts in the arena.

Mr. Passero is a Karate Tournament Promoter for the Grand Master Don Nagle A.O.K.A Inc. Isshin-Ryu World Karate Championships and as President, he is continuing Grandmaster Don Nagle Legacy along with American Isshin-Ryu Members.  He has the help of many Isshin-Ryu Karate Loyalist in their mission.

The post “A Tribute” to A Champion Hanshi Grandmaster Ralph Passero first appeared on River View Observer.

Recently, N.J. U.S. National Martial Arts Elite Team Wright outkicked, outshouted, and outpunched their formidable opponents to take numerous 1^st places in the Black, Brown, Green and Novice Divisions. The Team was led by Head Trainer, Internationally Recognized Multi-Discipline Grand Master Austin Wright Sr. This Year was an International Karate Championship because competitors came from Holland, Canada, & Algeria to name a few countries. It was held at the Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

Competitors on Team Wright were very excited as they entered the venue, and performed remarkably well, making Grand Master, Bayonne, Jersey City and the rest of the U.W.A. Family very proud! We had new members and old members alike competing, all of whom really showed their Traditional Style and Techniques.

Grand Master Giacobbe presented Grand Master Wright with a Samurai Sword during his appreciation ceremony as one of the Tang Soo Do U.S. International Representatives. Grand Master Wright has supported the Karate Nationals “Fight for Cancer” for (3) Decades. The rules were “No Hand pads and No Footgear”.

National Champions are as follows:

• Angel Rodriguez took 1^st (6 Years Old) Orange Belt Placed 1^st in Kumite (Sparring) and 3^rd in Kata
• Samir Oâ€Neill took 1^st in Kata (Forms) and1^st Kumite (Sparring) (Green belt 8-10 Year Old Division).
• Jayleah Thorpe took 3^rd in Womenâ€s Black Belt Sparring**
• Justin Gomez took 3^rd in the 15-17 Year Old Black Belt Division**
• Kenny Jackson (17 Years Old) took 1^st in Kumite (Sparring) Black Belt (17-35 Year Olds). Great Job, and still undefeated in the Black Belt Division!
• York Watson took 1^st in the 14 Years Old Black Belt Division Kumite (Sparring)
• Lilia Lupianez took 3rd in Kumite (Sparring), Brown Belt Division.
• Joaquin Oliver took 1^st Brown Belt (14-16 Year Olds).
• Tony Harvin (Green Belt) took 1^st in Green, 3^rd in Brown Kumite (Sparring)

** Both Jayleah Thorpe and Justin Gomez competed against almost 30 competitors in Kumite (Sparring), and both showed great confidence under Direct Supervision of Head Trainer and Grand Master Instructor Austin Wright Sr. and U.W.A. Martial Arts Black Belt Certified Instructors.

The Main Headquarters of the Universal Warrior Mixed Martial Arts Academy is located at 250 Broadway in Bayonne. We can be reached at 201-437-1820 or at our Jersey City Academy (1683 Kennedy Boulevard) at 201-360-0951. You can also visit us online at www .uwa-martialarts.com

The post Elite Team Wright UWA is Victorious at Karate Nationals in Atlantic City, NJ first appeared on River View Observer.