Sensei Brian West

     Sensei Brian West began his lifelong training in the art of Isshin-Ryu Karate in 1979 with Sensei Joe Jennings, founder of Jennings Karate Academy.  Sensei Jennings, who trained under Isshin-Ryu founder Tatsuo Shimabuku and Sensei Angi Uezu instilled a deep sense of respect for the art in Sensei West.

 

     West joined the United States Marine Corps in 1982 and served a tour of duty in Okinawa, Japan.  Shortly after his honorable discharged in 1986 he became the instructor/operator of one of the Jennings’ dojos, owned by Master Kim Murray.

 

     In 1996 Sensei West opened West Martial Arts in Webster, NY (a suburb of Rochester, NY).  West Martial Arts currently shares the facility with Empire Martial Arts (Shotokan) located at 1270 Creek Street, Webster, NY.

 

     Sensei Brian West, January 2005,  became an associate student of Master Wayne Wayland,  joinimg forces with Bohan's Isshin-Ryu and the Isshin-Ryu Network.  

 

     At the Isshin-Ryu Network's Annual Seminar and Workout Weekend, January 11-14, 2007, Sensei West went in front of the promotion board and after a long and grueling belt test was promoted to the rank of Roku-Dan (6th degree black belt).  

 

(Master Brian West and Isshin-Ryu Network's promotion board - Grandmaster Chester Holubecki, Master Clay Robbins, Master Wayne Wayland, and first generation student Grand Master Tom Lewis) 

 

 

Winning Titles Include:

1986    P.I.K.F. Kumite and Kata Champion

1989    Jennings Karate Kumite, Kata and Weapons Champion

1990    Isshin-Ryu Karate Kumite, Kata and Weapons Champion

1992    Angi Uezu Isshin-Ryu Karate Kumite, Kata and Weapons Champion

1994    IWKA World Kumite Grand Champion

1995    Isshin-Ryu Karate Invitational Kumite, Kata and Weapons Champion

2005    IWKA World Kumite Grand Champion, Kata and Bo-Sai Kumite Team Champion

2005    Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame (IHOF) World Kumite and Kata Champion

2005    West Chester Classic Kata and Weapons Grand Champion 

2006    King George Open Karate Kumite Grand Champion and Kata, Weapons and  Kumite Champion 

2006    AOKA World Kata and Weapons Champion

(Brian West - 2006 AOKA World Championships)

 

West Martial Arts

1270 Creek Street

Rochester, New York

(585) 216-1038

www.westmartialarts.com

 

Mission:  To instruct all students in the art of Isshin-Ryu Karate, including terminology, technique and traditions while increasing their level of mental and physical capability.

 

(West Martial Arts, Rochester, New York)

 

     Sensei West teaches Isshin-Ryu with a passion.  He treats and teaches all of his students with respect.  His students must earn their belts, not buy them.  He provides individual and superior training and keeps his tuition rate at half of that of other local karate schools.

 

     With 27 years of martial arts, Sensei West is dedicated to self improvement.  He teaches students of all ages, and one of his main goals is to instill the core values and traditions in the art of Isshin-Ryu Karate.  Improved self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment have been two outcomes common among his students.

 

     Two of Master West's prize students Michael and Richard Nguyen have represented the dojo in competitions throughout the United States and Canada.  They have won numerous National and International Grand Championships and awards.   These students have been recognized for their achievements, both as outstanding citizens and martial artists to include: A proclamation for Citizenship by the New York Legislature (District 8),  Michael Nguyen - Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame's Karate-Ka Of The Year 2006,  Richard Nguyen - Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame's Competitor Of The Year 2005,  Richard Nguyen - AOKA Hall Of Fame's Junior Black Belt Of The Year 2005,  Michael Nguyen - Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame's Competitor Of The Year 2004,  Michael Nguyen - AOKA Hall Of Fame's Junior Black Belt Of The Year 2004,  Michael & Richard Nguyen - The Presidential Sport Award 2003,  Richard Nguyen - Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame's Karate-ka 2003. 

 

 

Karate DVD Series West Martial Arts is very pleased to sponsor The Complete Works of Isshin-Ryu Karate & Kobudo DVD Series authored by two of it's talented black belt instructors, Michael and Richard Nguyen.  Click here to watch the 3-minute highlights of the DVD series.

 

(Sensei Richard Nguyen/ Master Brian West / Sensei Michael Nguyen - this picture was taken at Master Karl Hovey's Annual King George Karate Grand Championships, King George, VA -2006 )