Bio
Shihan Grant Campbell 師範, Shihan, became one of the highest ranked foreign martial artists outside of Japan and the only foreigner to be ranked in the top rankings of the Masters division at the most Prestigious Martial Arts event in the world, the World Karate Championships held in Okinawa. Campbell began his study of the martial arts with encouragement from his father, who had served in the military in Japan and studied the basics of Karate and Judo in Japan (Okinawa). Campbell has spent extensive periods of time in Japan since his youth.
Continuing on his journey of self-discovery, Campbell felt a greater and greater need to share his knowledge. He spent the next several years deconstructing and reconstructing all the techniques and methods he’d studied—every exercise, practice, and concept was reexamined and reconsidered. He had one simple goal in mind—to turn all he’d learned into an approach that would demystify Karate—and transform it into a path that can be followed by anyone who’s willing. In 2000, he founded USA Karate in Hollywood, Florida to help others develop and realize their potential.
Having achieved the distinction of World Karate Champion, Campbell is also one of the leading exponents of a small family karate system originating from China (via Okinawa), renowned for its powerful techniques and practical methods. Campbell's martial arts organization is a private non-political group that attempts to maintain the correct focus and practice methods of karate. Campbell is an authentic standard bearer of the system and in 1994 he was appointed one of only six Chief Instructors worldwide to teach the art. Associated member schools are in Canada, United Kingdom, Jamaica, Mexico, South Africa, Venezuela, and Japan. Grant Campbell is a sought after demonstrator and his seminars have been well received throughout the USA and in many countries.
Shihan Grant Campbell, an International Karate Hall of Fame inductee, studied under the guidance of some of the finest martial arts masters in the world and has achieved distinctions that few Americans have ever received. He was the youngest American to ever be awarded both the prestigious Master grade of 8th Dan from the Okinawan Karate Association in Japan and the title of Shihan from the Official Japanese governing body. In addition to being a 9 time USA National Karate Champion, 5 time North American Cup Champion and an International Karate Champion, he also holds instructor level rankings in several other martial arts, most notably a classical Bujutsu originating with the Takeda Clan of feudal Japan. Additionally, Campbell is a practitioner of traditional Kodokan Judo, and highly respected within that art.
An international competitor on various USA teams for nearly 20 years, as well as winner of hundreds of competitive awards including state, national, international and world championship titles in Karate and Full Contact Fighting, Campbell devotes his time currently to studying and teaching the martial arts in addition to continuing post graduate studies and holds a degree in Oriental Medicine. Campbell also continues to serve as an advisor to several martial arts organizations, the most renown of these being the International Okinawa Karatedo Federation.
In 2015, the senior representatives and practitioners of the art of Shotokan Karate around the world selected Shihan Campbell to the senior Masters Council of that art. That organization exists to preserve and protect the teachings of Japanese Karate around the globe.
Shihan Campbell has helped hundreds of teachers and students in their quest for martial arts knowledge and higher level training. His record for producing students and teachers of outstanding ability and skills is well known throughout the world. He is an established International Master Instructor and has coordinated well attended martial arts events since 1987.
