Kempo-Goju karate is a hybrid system of karate based on two styles of karate, Kempo karate( closely tied to Mas Oyama Kyokushin Karate) and Goju ryu( from the Gogen Yamaguchi lineage). The founder of this system is Charles Warren. He earned the rank of black belt in the above mentioned styles while in the Air force. Mr. Warren started teaching both styles of karate in Wisconsin, while he was a Wisconsin State Trooper. He began to merge what he thought to be most practicle from both systems. My instructor, Mr. Muhammad Sabir, was one of the first black belts in Mr. Warren's system. I first started my study of Martail arts at The Fighting Arts Academy loctaed at 60th and W. North ave. in Milwaukee, WI. under Ben DeLeon and Tom Hall, back in 1978. When the club folded, Mr. Hall advised my Dad that I should train at Mr. Sabir's Dojo located at 46th and W. North ave. The style I was taught and exposed to at Sabir's Dojo, and other Kempo-Goju Dojo's are consistant with the following description. Kempo-Goju karate is a primarly stand up striking style. the training is drilling basics in a formation, pre-arranged self defense sets, and point style/ continuios style of fighting, Grappling is limited to a few trips and sweeps, with no ground fighting, and of course Kata. I hold a Nidan(2nd degree black belt) from Mr. Sabir. I think Mr. Sabir's approach to karate is excellent. I think Kempo-Goju karate has a pretty decent stand up game, most of the Black belts are reasonably competent in striking. The main weakness in the system , in my opinion, is a lack of a serious Grappling program in the training syllabus in the clinch and ground fighting. I also think that they should train more towards Full contact kickboxing or MMA style tournaments. Tom Hall and Jay Wilson(both Kempo- Goju black belts) have competed with some success in kickboxing in the PKA. I have been competing in Judo and Pankration(amatuer style MMA) since 2003, to round out my fighting ability, and found that Kempo-Goju gave me a good base for some of the striking, but was found wanting in some of the areas that Judo filled in. I would certianly recommend Kempo-Goju, but for me, I have been moving towards MMA style of training and competing, as a personal prefrence.
