The United States Karate League

TY APONTE

Ty began his Martial Arts training (Shotokan karate) in New York City (1970-74) under Kyoshi Hector Martinez. In 1974 Ty moved to California and began training in Shorin Ryu karate under Shihan Dean Pickard-5th dan. Ty received his 1st degree black belt (1976) and in 1977 he opened the Defense Arts Center (Upland, [original] Monte Vista dojo). Upon Professor Pickard's retirement in 1994, Mr. Aponte was handed down the reigns of the organization and awarded the Shorin rank of 5^th degree black belt.

In 1994, Ty made the decision to shift the core foundation of his training and instruction from a Shorin based style to a more internationally recognized Shotokan style. To this day, Ty continues his training in Shotokan and currently holds a 3^rd degree black belt with the Venerable Master Hidetaka Nishiyama-9^th Dan; as well as a 4^th degree black belt from his original Shotokan instructor (Hector Martinez).

Ty assists at the Upland Dojo (under the proprietorship of James K. Augur) and runs the Claremont Colleges Karate Program.

Considering himself a perpetual student and having nothing less than a passion for learning and training in the martial arts, Sensei Aponte has, in over 35 years of training, broadened his scope with Black belt rankings in: Okinawan Tanzenbukan Goju-Ryu karate (2nd. deg.) & Okinawan Kobudo (weaponry 3rd deg.) - both under Kyoshi Anthony Marquez-7th dan. Sensei Aponte also has had extensive training in Motubu-Ha Shito-Ryu under O-Sensei Bayani Adlawan-6th dan, Judo & Jujitsu w/Sensei Gary Goltz-6th dan, Escrima and JKD under Tim Tackett and Ernie Franco.

Sensei Aponte has competed extensively and has been the recipient of many awards, including a small string of full-contact victories in 1975-76. Sensei Aponte is one of the select individuals to have achieved First Place in Kata at the highly competitive Ozawa International Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, prevailing over 75 other Black belts.

In the summer of '94 Ty traveled with Kyoshi Marquez and company to Okinawa to train under some of Okinawa's legendary kobudo and karate masters, and compete in Okinawa's pre-World tournament. (Ty later took a solo detour to train in Japan).

In addition to the above named masters, Sensei Aponte admires and credits the following individuals with having helped shape and inspire his martial arts ability and with whom he has had the pleasure of calling friends for the many years: Sensei Marvin Wolf (5th dan, ASKD), John Santiago 6th Deg. BB, Moo Duk Kwan-Tae Kwan Do, Sensei Steve Fisher (6th dan), 1970's/80's open tournament kata/kumite champion), Shihan Tom Serrano (6th dan Gosoku Ryu), Sensei Penny Ringwood (5th dan, International Traditional kata champion), Sensei David Blair (5th Dan), Sensei's Mike Whiteside and James V. Doiron (5th/4th dans, senior instructors/members USKL), and Sensei Ron Vance (5th dan, ITKF central dojo).

Mr. Aponte incorporates his years of training and experience into his classes. He emphasizes tradition, while remaining creative, open-minded, and progressive.

Ty can be reached by e-mail at Ty_Aponte@uskl.org