Richard Rabago
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| Richard Rabago | |
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| Born | August 14, 1943  Oahu, Hawaii, USA |
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| Residence | Cerritos, California, USA |
| Martial art practiced | Kobayashi Shorin-ryu |
| Teacher(s) | Tadashi Yamashita, Seikichi Iha, George Terukina |
| Rank | Nana-dan (7th degree Black Belt) |
| Website | A Higher Standard Shorin-Ryu |
Richard Rabago was born on August 14, 1943 in Oahu on the garden island of Hawaii.
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[edit] Martial Arts Training
Growing up in the Hawaiian Islands, Rabago had the opportunity to experience and study many different forms of martial arts. Rabago's martial studies included: Judo, Aikido, Kempo and Boxing. After completing high school, Rabago moved to California in 1961. He began his training in Shotokan Karate under the instruction of Tsutomu Oshima and Hidetaka Nishiyama. Rabago trained and studied the principles of Shotokan until 1968. In 1969, he began his study of Shorin-ryu (Kobayashi) Karate under George Terukina, and Hanshi Seikichi Iha. He progressed through the years and was promoted to the rank Nana-dan (7th degree Black Belt) by Hanshi Tadashi Yamashita.
[edit] Dojo
Rabago opened his own dojo, and for over 30 years has taught Kobayashi Shorin-ru and Okinawan Kobudo in Torrance, California. The sign outside the dojo simply reads "SHORIN RYU". It is a traditional Okinawan dojo where Karateka soon learn that THE BASICS ARE EVERYTHING. Respect is earned through demonstrated skill and dedication under Rabago's tutelage.
[edit] Film & Television
Rabago also embarked on the dual careers of engineering design and acting while teaching Shorin-ryu. He has appeared in more than twenty-five film and television roles, while holding down a job as a digital chip designer. Some of Rabago's film involvements include: The Sand Pebbles (film), Big Trouble in Little China, and The Bad News Bears Go to Japan. Rabago has acted in television commercial for sports giant Adidas; and became well-known for his role as Tao Chung in the VR Troopers television series.
[edit] Honors
Rabago has been honored with many awards and acknowledgements throughout his lifetime for his public service and civic activism. Notable awards include:
- World Martial Arts Masters Hall of Fame
- Golden Master's Instructors Award
- Masters Hall of Fame
- Commendation from the County of Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
- Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Lawndale, California, USA
- Serving as a Reserve Sheriff in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department teaching use of force techniques
[edit] Published Work
- Rabago, Richard. (June 2003). Advanced Weaponry. Martial Arts Magazine, pp. 58-63
- Jeffrey, Doug. (February 2003). Don't Think Twice. Martial Arts Magazine, pp. 77-83
- Hestor, Todd. (March 2001). A Higher Standard. Martial Arts & Combat Sports Magazine, pp. 58-63
- Fraquas, Jose M. (2001). The Masters Speak. Unique Publications. ISBN: 0-8656-195-3.
- Yamashita, Tadashi. (1987). Advanded Tonfa: Japanese Weapons of Self Defense. Black Belt Communications. ISBN-10: 0897501179
- Yamashita, Tadashi. (1986). Dynamic Nunchuku. Black Belt Communications. ISBN-10: 0897501055
[edit] References
[edit] See Also
[edit] External Links
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