Len Testa Renshi, Uechi-ryu Karatedo Association

Len Testa Quick Facts

Owner and Chief Instructor of the Brockton Uechi-Ryu Karate Academy, Len Testa has studied the art of Uechi-Ryu Karate Do since 1980. Beginning his karate training in January, at the Mattson Academy of Karate's Brockton Dojo, under the direction of well known Master Instructor Bob Bethoney - Hanshi (3rd degree master) Kudan (9th Degree Black Belt), a student of another well known Master Instructor Arthur Rabesa - Hanshi Kudan, who was a student of the International Uechi-ryu Karate Federation's founder and President, Master Instructor George Mattson - Hanshi Kudan, who brought the style to North America after learning from Ryuoko Tomoyose while stationed in Okinawa.

After receiving his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1983, Len began teaching an afternoon adult class at Bob Bethoney's Dojo, and two afternoon classes for the Brockton Community Schools after school program. Len has taught at the Brookfield, Ashfield, Hancock, Raymond, Huntington, Kennedy, and Downey schools in Brockton. Len has introduced Uechi-ryu Karate to over 3000 children ranging mostly in ages 7-12. His first dojo was the Uechi-ryu Garage Karate Club.

After reaching the rank of Sandan (3rd Degree) he took a leave of absence from his on-going training for 7 years to pursue a part time career in coaching college baseball. During this time he continued teaching at the Brockton Community Schools.

When Master Bethoney opened the Pembroke Police Boys Club Karate School, Len became an Instructor teaching a children and an adults class at Bob's Uechi-ryu Karate Do, Brockton Dojo.

After achieving the Rank of Yondan (4th Degree), Testa opened the Brockton Uechi-ryu Karate Academy in February of 2000 after his sensei closed the doors of his Brockton Dojo and moved to Pembroke full time.

Today, Len holds the 1st Master Rank of Renshi Rokudan (6th degree black belt) and is the Chief Instructor and President of the Brockton Uechi-ryu Karate Academy Inc. Being dedicated to the development of children's life skills he implemented the STAR in the Martial Arts Program, which is a collaboration of effort by The Jefferson Center for Education and Mike Rozumek a Uechi-ryu Sensei from Pepperell Mass, for character development. The 2nd portion of the BUKA life skills program is Children's Personal Safety Training.

Helping to provide an atmosphere for children's competition, Sensei Testa, an experienced tournament head referee, became the Director of the New England Junior Uechi-ryu Karate Championship Series, which is four events of tournaments held throughout New England to comprise a series for children to accumulate points toward a Grand Championship. Testa is also the promoter of the Mass Challenge, one of the tournaments of the series held in Brockton.

The BUKA affiliations are with Bob Bethoney and his Uechi-ryu Karate Do Bushido Group; George Mattson, President of the International Uechi-ryu Karate Federation (IUKF); and Kanmei Uechi (the grandson of the original Grand Master Kanbun Uechi, for which the style is named), President of the SOKE Uechi-ryu Karate Association in Okinawa.

Sensei Testa sits on Master Bethoney's testing panel for Black Belt Promotional.