Richard Rabago

Richard Rabago
Born	August 14, 1943 (1943-08-14) (age 68) Oahu, Hawaii, USA
Residence	Cerritos, California
Style	Kobayashi Shorin-ryu
Teacher(s)	Tadashi Yamashita, Seikichi Iha, George Terukina
Rank	7th degree black belt
Notable students	Lelagi "Butch" Togisala
Website	A Higher Standard Shorin-Ryu

Richard Rabago (born August 14, 1943) is an Japanese-American martial artist, instructor, and expert in Okinawan kobudō.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Martial Arts training 3 Dojo 4 Film and television 5 Honors 6 Published works 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

Early life

Rabago was born in Oahu, Hawaii. 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.

Martial Arts training

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 Shichidan (7th degree Black Belt) by Hanshi Tadashi Yamashita.

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.

Film and 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, Big Trouble in Little China and The Bad News Bears Go to Japan. Rabago has acted in television commercials for Adidas; and became well known for his role as Tao Chung in the VR Troopers television series.

Honors

For his public service and civic activism, Rabago has been honored with awards and acknowledgments, including:

• 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

Published works

• 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 0-89750-117-9
• Yamashita, Tadashi. (1986). Dynamic Nunchuku. Black Belt Communications. ISBN 0-89750-105-5

See also

• Chosin Chibana
• Shorin-ryu

References

• World Martial Arts Masters Association
• Masters Hall of Fame
• IMDB film website

External links

• Rabago Dojo website
• Tsutomu Oshima
• Richard Rabago demonstrates the Naihanchi Shodan kata

Persondata
Name	Rabago,Richard
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	August 14, 1943
Place of birth	Oahu, Hawaii, USA
Date of death
Place of death