SHIHAN RODNEY KELLEY’S BIOGRAPHY

Shihan Rodney L. Kelley has been involved in the martial arts since he was 14 years old and trained under the tutelage of Kyoshi Paul Ortino for the last 21 years.  He is currently a Yon Dan in Okinawa Kenpo/Kobudo as well as holding Dan ranking in other styles as well.  Shihan Kelley began training with Kyoshi Ortino in February 1987 at the Catlin Halsey Dojo in Honolulu, Hawaii while stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  His interest in Okinawan Kenpo was peaked by the Teen Age Mutant NinjaTurtles and their excellent weapons work.  Because of the weapons in OKKF, Shihan Kelley decided to give it a try. 

 After his transfer to San Diego in 1991, he trained in Aikijitsu, Tai Chi and Taekwondo (ATA and other systems).  In 1994 Shihan went to Misawa, Japan for three years where he taught Taekwondo and OKKF as well as training in Aikido and Sumo (holds a Shodan in Sumo from Japan).  In 1997, Shihan opened a school in San Diego and was again transferred to Japan where he opened an afloat martial arts program at sea.  

In 2001, Shihan Kelley was transferred to Seattle Washington where he was promoted to the rank of San Dan and taught martial arts to Naval Sea Cadets, Military Police and civilians as well.  In 2003, Shihan Kelley again transferred to San Diego where he taught on station under the guidance of Kyoshi Ortino.  Additionally, Shihan is one of a few martial arts instructors to have a school in the Middle East. 

Shihan Kelley retired after his last tour of the duty assisting the U.S. Navy SEALS with Anti-terrorism efforts in 2009 at the rank of Lieutenant (Limited Duty Officer), and currently resides in Tyler, Texas. He is an assistant instructor to Kyoshi Alex Jones (Goju Karate) at the Glass Recreation Center.  Also, he has excellent Japanese speaking and writing skills (Katakana and Hiragana).

Shihan believes that in order to be a complete martial artist, especially when one grows older, kata is an essential element.  He also believes that students should be dedicated to their instructor and that humble martial artists who recognize that we all have different ability is the key to continued growth in the Karate community.

Art/Style:                                           Dates:                                    Instructor
Okinawa Kenpo (Yon-dan)               August 1987                          Sensei Paul Ortino
Oahu Hawaii

Black Panther Tae Kwon Do       July 1991 – July 1994              Master Orange (Sho-dan)
San Diego Ca

Tai Chi                                            August 1992                               Sifu Leroy
San Diego Ca

Akijutsu/Jujutsu                                  July 1992                      Sensei Williams (Sho-dan)
San Diego Ca

Sumo (Sho-dan)                       July 1994 – August 1997                  Maeta Sensei

Aikido                                                 July 1996                         Sawagshira Sensei
(Aikido Ippaimori Dojo, Misawa, Japan)

ATA Taekwondo                               August 1994 – 1997                                   
(Instructed Weapons – Misawa Japan)