Assistant Regional
Director
Northern United States District
Sensei Joe Arvidson
6th Dan
Sensei
Joe Arvidson: Mr. Arvidson is a Roku-Dan (6th degree Black Belt) in Isshinryu Karate and a first degree Black Belt in Judo. He has been active in
the martial arts for over 30 years. Sensei Arvidson was an original member of
the O.K.U. and was instrumental in the development of the O.K.U. patch.
Mr. Arvidson is a retired Police Officer and now heads the Massachusetts area Black Dragon Dojos. He is very active in his community and his church, and in 2001 was named "Black Belt of the Year" by the Okinawan Karate Do Union.
Biography of Martial Arts Experience
JUDO
1. Began Judo
in 1963 at the age of eleven at the Louisville YMCA under Richard Falls, Bill
Falls and Carl Brown
2. Student instructor for Sensei Falls at the age of 13
3. Competed in Judo local and regional from 1963 to 1973
4. Rated #1 competitor in Indiana and #3 in the Region by the age of 16
5. Began instructing students at the age of 15
6. Student Instructor at Judo Camp from 1967 to 1970
7. Instructor for Indiana State University Judo Club
8. Self Defense classes for all women’s dormitories and sororities at ISU
9. Furthered instruction experience working with Sensei’s Errol Cheatham, Yang Park, Everett Witty, Merlin Morris, Phil Porter, Kyung Sun Shin,
10. Uke for various instructors during Black Belt tests
11. Promoted to ShoDan in 1985 by Derek Johnston
TAE KWON DO
1. Began studying at the age of 16 as part of a high school promotion
2. Continued instructions in Louisville, KY under Yung Sang Kang
ISSHINRYU
1. Began studying under Dan Jones in 1984
2. Promoted to ShoDan in 1986
3. Competed in numerous tournaments
4. Assistant Instructor at Health Clubs and YMCA in Champaign, IL
5. Instructor at various health clubs/fitness centers in the Chicagoland area
6. One of the founding members of the OKU
7. Assisted in the design of the OKU patch
8. Produced the first run of OKU patches through East West Martial Arts Supplies
9. Attended numerous OKU seminars and tournaments
10. Recipient of the OKU Black Belt of the Year Award in 2001
11. Promoted nine students to ShoDan and two students to NiDan
12. Currently instructing classes at Hope Community Church with over 60 students
13. Instructed police officers in self defense
14. Self defense seminars for executives, women’s groups, youth groups and children
15. Participating instructor for the 2001 OKU Summer Seminar
16. Promoted to 6th-dan by the Okinawan Karate Do Union.
POLICE EXPERIENCE
1. Joined Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Department in 1976
2. Relocated to St. Louis and joined St. John’s Police Department
3. Relocated to Chicago and joined South Barrington Police Department
4. Defensive tactics instructor
5. Restraint control and handcuffing tactics instructor
6. ASP and baton instructor
Sensei Arvidson assist Sensei Jones with overseeing the Northern United States District.