| Sensei Ray Owles Godan / 5th Degree Black Belt Born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1977, Ray Owles grew up in North Stonington, Connecticut. He graduated from Wheeler High School in 1996 and then attended the University of Connecticut, where he graduated in 2000 with a B.A. in Communications. Today, Sensei Ray resides in Pearland, Texas with his wife LaDona, to whom he was married in 2005. Sensei Ray was first introduced to the martial arts in 1991. He attended a “Buddy Day Class” with his best friend at Sensei Egidio Luzzi’s dojo in Westerly, Rhode Island and won 3 months of free karate lessons. By 1993, he was one of the top ranked martial arts competitors in New England for the highly competitive 13-17 year old division. He participated on Sensei Luzzi’s Tournament, Demonstration and Student Teaching Teams. While attending a training camp in 1994, Ray was promoted to 1st Kyu Brown Belt by 10th Degree Black Belt, Grandmaster Shugoro Nakazato of Okinawa. After his promotion from Grandmaster Nakazato, Ray began training under Sensei David Ahrens of Hope Valley, Rhode Island. By the time he left for college in 1996, Sensei Ray had been promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt, and was the Head Instructor and Senior Student of Sensei Ahrens. While attending the University of Connecticut, and continuing to train under Sensei Ahrens, Sensei Ray taught Karate and Self-Defense Seminars on campus for students. In 2000, after graduating college, Sensei Ray relocated to Houston, Texas to continue his training under some of the top ranked traditional Okinawan Karate instructors in the country. In 2011, while attending Hanshi Doug Perry's 21st Annual Little Okinawa Summer Camp, Sensei Ray was approved for promotion to 5th Degree Black Belt (Renshi), by a panel of senior instructors of the Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Association. In addition to Karate, Sensei Ray has achieved the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt in the art of Kobudo (Ancient Okinawan Weapons). The weapons he teaches include Bo, Sai, Nunchauku, Tonfa, Eku, Kama, Tanbo and Tekko. Sensei Ray’s experiences have allowed him to travel the country to train under some of the world’s top ranked Karate Masters. He currently operates a small dojo in Pearland, Texas under the guidance of Renshi Charlie Dean. |