THE MASTERS

The Masters of Chayon-Ryu are those black belts who have shown dedication for more than 25 years.
They are the leaders of Yudanja-Whey (Chayon-Ryu Black Belt Association) and mentors to the rest of the Chayon-Ryu students.

Featured

Grandmaster Sean Kim
9th Dan Black Belt, Promoted December, 2017
Chief Instructor, Chayon-Ryu World Headquarters
Promoted Second Chonjaenim of Chayon-Ryu, October 2026

Master Santiago Rangel
9th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2017
Chief Instructor, Rosenberg Chayon-Ryu

Master Kim Geary
9th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2017
One of the highest ranked American woman in USA.
Co-founder: Austin Chayon-Ryu

Master David Mitchell
9th Dan Black Belt
Promoted June, 2011
Chief Instructor, Kim Soo Karate of North Carolina

Master John Stephens
9th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2025

Master Rick Fine
8th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2017
Co-founder: Kim Soo Martial Arts, Austin

Master Lawrence Robinson
8th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2025
Chief Instructor, Galveston Chayon-Ryu

Master Raymond Nelson
8th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2025

Master David Reed
8th Dan Black Belt
Promoted February, 2026

Master Yang-Il Kim
7th Dan Black Belt

Master Yang Moon
7th Dan Black Belt

Master Charlotte Hwang
7th Dan Black Belt
Promoted April, 2004
Kim Soo Karate of Tucson

Master Conrad Pickens
7th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2006

Master Benjamin Lew
7th Dan Black Belt (Honor)
Promoted December, 2017
Chief Instructor, Clear Lake Chayon-Ryu

Master Scott Baker
7th Dan Black Belt
Promoted November, 2019

Master Robert McLain
7th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2022
Chief Instructor, Okinawa Chayon-Ryu
Co-Founder, Arlington Chayon-Ryu

Master Darrell Rochte
7th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2024
Austin Chayon-Ryu

Master Larry Lawyer
7th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2025

Master Joseph Sullins
7th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2025

Master Don Martin
6th Dan Black Belt
Promoted April, 2010
Kim Soo Karate of Tucson

Master Kit Van Cleave
6th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2010
Kingwood Karate Chayon-Ryu

Master Travis Willis
6th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2011
Central Florida Chayon-Ryu

Master Richard Crose
6th Dan Black Belt
Promoted April, 2018

Master Anthony Segura
6th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2018
Austin Chayon-Ryu

Master Brian Hammer
6th Dan Black Belt
Promoted August, 2020

Master Matt Keith
6th Dan Black Belt
Promoted August, 2021
Chief Instructor
Chugiak, Alaska Chayon Ryu

Master Miguel Salomon
6th Dan Black Belt
Promoted August, 2021

Master Jeff Young
6th Dan Black Belt
Promoted August, 2021

Master Moises Diaz
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 1987

Master Henry “Jack” Jackson
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 1987

Featured

Master Kenneth Young
6th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2024

Master Alberto Borjas
6th Dan Black Belt
Promoted June, 2025

Master Robert Henriksen
6th Dan Black Belt
Promoted June, 2025

Master Gary Schroller
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2006

Master Uyen Le Pham
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted June, 2007

Master Reginald Hughes
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted October, 2009

Master Mark Newkirk
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2009

Master Rick Crose
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted September, 2010

Master Michael Dugas
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2014

Master John Rogers
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2014

Master Alex Adams
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted June, 2017

Master Darlene Saunders
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2017

Master Jason Saunders
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2017

Master Phuoc Nguyen
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted April, 2018

Master Scott Pitney
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted June, 2021

Master Angel Ochoa
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2022

Master Kimberly Ochoa
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2022

Master Bruce Ochoa
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2022

Master David Eastwood
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2024

Master Sydney Moen
5th Dan Black Belt
Promoted December, 2025

Master Doug Keney
5th Dan Black Belt
Deceased

Master David Akahane
5th Dan Black Belt
Deceased: One of Grandmaster’s first Masters
He studied with (then) Master Kim
Received his first black belt in Korea

Master Rosalio Menchaca
Honorary 5th Dan Black Belt
September, 2020
Deceased: Cherished Chayon-Ryu family member and instructor.

Master Ray Slomer
Honorary 5th Dan Black Belt
Deceased: One of our most endeared Chayon-Ryu family members and veteran instructor.

Master Frank Jaubert
Honorary 5th Dan Black Belt
Deceased: One of Grandmaster's first students here in America. He contributed a tremendous amount to the CYR System including the creation of the first website.