Sensei Maria Whittemore
Sensei Trey Bland
Black Belts in West Texas Kyokushin
Sensei Charlie Russell
Sensei Russell started his martial arts training as a child in Los Angeles Ca.
Having a child's fleeting interest his training lasted only a short time. In 1992 he
began training in Gojuryu when the Air Force stationed him in Kansas. In time he
was transferred to Abilene, Texas and began searching for a teacher. Purely by
chance he happened to go to the Redbud YMCA at the end of a promotion. He
has been involved ever since, earning his Shodan rank in May 2000. His Nidan in
2001. He has also trained in Akido, Wing-Chun, Taekwondo and Acupressure
Healing. Sensei Russell currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada where he teaches
private lessons.
Sensei Russell started his martial arts training as a child in Los Angeles Ca.
Having a child's fleeting interest his training lasted only a short time. In 1992 he
began training in Gojuryu when the Air Force stationed him in Kansas. In time he
was transferred to Abilene, Texas and began searching for a teacher. Purely by
chance he happened to go to the Redbud YMCA at the end of a promotion. He
has been involved ever since, earning his Shodan rank in May 2000. His Nidan in
2001. He has also trained in Akido, Wing-Chun, Taekwondo and Acupressure
Healing. Sensei Russell currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada where he teaches
private lessons.
Sensei Trey began his martial arts training as a U.S. Marine. He has trained in Tae Kwon
Do, Jungyae Moosul and Kyokushin Karate. He has trained U.S. Special Operations
troops in unarmed combatives and served two tours in Iraq. In addition to his Shodan in
Kyokushin he has earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal
for Valor. Sensei Trey currently is teaches at Redbud YMCA in Abilene Texas. He has
three sons all of whom are Brown Belts in Kyokushin.
Do, Jungyae Moosul and Kyokushin Karate. He has trained U.S. Special Operations
troops in unarmed combatives and served two tours in Iraq. In addition to his Shodan in
Kyokushin he has earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal
for Valor. Sensei Trey currently is teaches at Redbud YMCA in Abilene Texas. He has
three sons all of whom are Brown Belts in Kyokushin.
Sensei Maria was born in Rantoul, Ill in August 1958. Eventually, the family settled in
Adams, Ma. In the spring of her freshman year, Maria joined the newly formed girls track
team and fostered a love of running. Over the years, she has competed in a number of
sports including rugby (playing wing mostly, but was the hooker in a 7’s tournament) and
powerlifting (winning trophies for best squat and deadlift). Looking for a supplement to
running, at the age of 42, Maria joined the Kyokushin Karate class at the Red Bud
YMCA. In January 2005, Maria thought her karate career might be over when she was
diagnoses with breast cancer. However, after a lumpectomy and a few weeks off for
recovery, Maria was back in the Dojo. She says it took about a year to feel comfortable
with sparring again. Maria received her black belt on July 31, 2006. Maria has a BS in
Athletic Training from Northeastern University and is a Licensed Massage Therapist in
the state of Texas.She currently teaches the Young Tigers class at Redbud Y.M.C.A.
Adams, Ma. In the spring of her freshman year, Maria joined the newly formed girls track
team and fostered a love of running. Over the years, she has competed in a number of
sports including rugby (playing wing mostly, but was the hooker in a 7’s tournament) and
powerlifting (winning trophies for best squat and deadlift). Looking for a supplement to
running, at the age of 42, Maria joined the Kyokushin Karate class at the Red Bud
YMCA. In January 2005, Maria thought her karate career might be over when she was
diagnoses with breast cancer. However, after a lumpectomy and a few weeks off for
recovery, Maria was back in the Dojo. She says it took about a year to feel comfortable
with sparring again. Maria received her black belt on July 31, 2006. Maria has a BS in
Athletic Training from Northeastern University and is a Licensed Massage Therapist in
the state of Texas.She currently teaches the Young Tigers class at Redbud Y.M.C.A.