Lynn Aponte
Yodan
(4th degree black belt)
Lynn Aponte began her karate training in 1982, soon after her 18th birthday, at the United States Karate League in Upland under Sensei Ty Aponte. Her original style was Shorin Ryu and she reached the rank of Shodan (first degree black belt) in 1985. While going to school at Cal State University Northridge she began training in Shotokan (SKIF) under Sensei Funjishima, and later received her shodan under him as well, with special guest 9th dan Hirokazu Kanazawa overseeing the examination
During her time away at school she remained active with the USKL dojo, training and teaching both kids and adult classes, as well as several special classes on rape prevention and women's self defense.
Lynn has a love of martial arts and has dabbled in many different styles such as judo, aikido, Shito Ryu karate, kendo and escrima and holds a black belt rank in kobudo (Okinawan weaponry) under Kyoshi Anthony Marquez. She enjoys attending seminars and through them has had the opportunity to train with a variety of masters from around the world. Throughout the 1980's and early 90's Lynn has been an avid and successful competitor in both kumite (fighting) and kata (forms).
Lynn took some time off from her karate training to have kids and later to recover from an illness (Cancer survivor), but has come back with enthusiasm and is currently a Yondan (fourth Deg. BB) in Shotokan with the United States Karate League. She has been teaching the beginning and intermediate adult classes for 3 years, as well as a small group of middle school students at the California School for the Deaf where she works in Riverside.
Aside from the warm USKL dojo family, Sensei Lynn is joined by her husband Ty and their two children, Kieran and Keelan Aponte, both of whom are brown belts and have been successful athletes, as well as honor roll students, displaying excellent citizenship in and out of school.
Lynn's Black Belt Rank time line:
- Started 1982
- Shodan 1985
- Nidan 1991
- Sandan 1995
- Yondan 2008