Kevin Potgieter
Assistant Instructor- American Kenpo Karate -
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In Kevin’s infant years in South Africa, he was put in Shotokan Karate and Judo, to follow his fathers footsteps. After moving to Canada, he trained in Tracy’s Kenpo in Campbell River, which is an offspring of Ed Parkers American Kenpo system, the moment he joined, he was hooked. During this time, he also had the opportunity to train under a famous Pioneer in MMA, World Combat Champion Bart Vale. With Kevin’s addiction to his new found love, he achieved the rank of Rokkyu (Purple) within 1 year, before having to move back to the Vancouver area.
During his time in the lower mainland, he discovered Aikido and trained under 8th Degree Sensei Keith Taylor while at the same time he also expanded out to Golden Ears Judo Club and trained under Ron Wright. He then studied Aiki Ju-Jitsu in Maple Ridge and then joining Golden Ears Taekwondo and studied under Sa-Boum Nim Errol Richie and took some sessions in Bujinkan Ninjutsu. After this, he found a “sword” art like school called Iaido and trained under Rokudan (6th dan) Sensei Bruce Campbell, which Kevin had the opportunity to perform a successful Iaido demonstration for the Japanese Community Festival in Richmond.
Since 2011 Kevin discovered and began traing with Sensei Carlos Cuyun in both the Hawwiian Kenpo Karate as well as the American Kenpo Karate disciplines which has also given him the opportunity to train under martial arts pioneer/founder and martial arts hall-of-fame inductee Great Grand Master Bill Ryusaki, whlo was a close associate to American Kenpo founder GGM Ed Parker, and was awarded his blue belt under him in the Hawiian Kenpo style, and since has been awarded his Green belt under Grand Master Denny Mortensen, who is GGM Bill’s senior student in Hawaiian Kenpo. Kevin also studied Doce Pares/Kamot Mindanoa (Arnes stick fighting) under Guru Mike Sanchez, who is a close associate to Sensei Carlos Cuyun. Kevin is currently Sensei Carlos’ lead assistant instructor in American Kenpo and trains in Ed Parkers American Kenpo under Sensei Carlos Cuyun and -KIF- American Kenpo 8th Dan Sensei Jorge Calvillo in Los Angeles.
Since 2011 Kevin discovered and began traing with Sensei Carlos Cuyun in both the Hawwiian Kenpo Karate as well as the American Kenpo Karate disciplines which has also given him the opportunity to train under martial arts pioneer/founder and martial arts hall-of-fame inductee Great Grand Master Bill Ryusaki, whlo was a close associate to American Kenpo founder GGM Ed Parker, and was awarded his blue belt under him in the Hawiian Kenpo style, and since has been awarded his Green belt under Grand Master Denny Mortensen, who is GGM Bill’s senior student in Hawaiian Kenpo. Kevin also studied Doce Pares/Kamot Mindanoa (Arnes stick fighting) under Guru Mike Sanchez, who is a close associate to Sensei Carlos Cuyun. Kevin is currently Sensei Carlos’ lead assistant instructor in American Kenpo and trains in Ed Parkers American Kenpo under Sensei Carlos Cuyun and -KIF- American Kenpo 8th Dan Sensei Jorge Calvillo in Los Angeles.