​RENSHI CRAIG SARGENT

Renshi Craig holds the rank of rokudan (6th degree black belt) in both Shudokan Karate and Hensan Ryu Karate. His martial arts journey began in 1992 at the Waterville Area Boys and Girls Club in Maine, where he learned they style of Hensan-Ryu from Shihan Ken Walsh. In 1999, he began training in Shudokan Karate under Shihan Javier Diaz. During this period, he also trained in Kickboxing under Sensei Bob Hartley and practiced Danzan Ryu Jujitsu under Sensei Rich Charlebois from 2009 to 2012.

In addition to his impressive credentials, Renshi Craig is a proud member of the Shudokan Martial Arts Association, where he has attained full membership and holds a Shodan rank in their karate division. He is also a valued member of the International Shudokan Research Society and the Peaceful Warrior Black Belt Club.
​Renshi Craig serves as the Director of the SMART Tournament Circuit in Maine, bringing his organizational and leadership skills to the local martial arts community. He has also been featured in the book The World's Greatest.

Recently, Renshi Craig has been appointed as the President of the World Karate Society (WKS) for the USA. In this role, he will be instrumental in promoting the WKS within the United States, supporting its growth, and fostering new opportunities for martial artists and dojos across the country.

For more information about Club Naha Karate-Do USA, SMART, or the World Karate Society, please contact Renshi Craig Sargent at (207) 873-0684 or via email at [email protected].

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Renshi Craig's Karate Journey

1992    

• Started studying Hensan Ryu Karate (a style composing mostly of Shudokan Karate and Wonhwa Do) under Shihan Ken Wash at the Club Naha Dojo (named in honor of his first instructor, Shihan Javier Diaz’s dojo) at the Waterville Area Boys and Girls Club in Waterville, Maine.

1993ish

• Started studying Kickboxing under Mr. Don Harriman and then Sensei Bob Hartley until the early 2000s

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1995    

• Earned his first degree black belt in Hensan Ryu Karate

1997    

• Earned his second degree black belt in Hensan Ryu Karate

1999ish

• Studied Aikido under Sensei Wes for a short while

2008    

• Began learning more Shudokan Karate under Sensei Javier Diaz Jr. (Shihan Jaiver’s oldest son) for a short while
• Once again Hensan Ryu Karate was modified to incorporate more Shudokan Karate
• Started studying Danzan Ryu Jujitsu under Sensei Rich Charlebois until he earned his blue belt

2011    

• Shihan Javier visits Maine and he learned more Shudokan Karate
• Once again Hensan Ryu Karate was modified to incorporate more Shudokan Karate

2012    

• Shihan Javier, his daughter Sensei Osiris, and his son, Sensei Fernando visited Maine and he learned more Shudokan Karate
• Once again Hensan Ryu Karate was modified to incorporate more Shudokan Karate
• Earned his fifth degree black belt in Hensan Ryu Karate
• Due to the shift of Hensan Ryu Karate becoming more Shudokan Karate than Wonhwa Do, the name of the styles was changed to Club Naha Karate-Do in honor of Shihan Jaiver’s dojo and Shihan Ken’s dojo both being called Club Naha

2016

• Trained in boxing for about a year under Max Avila at Miracle Street Boxing​

2000    

• Began training in Shudokan Karate under Shihan Javier Diaz after Shihan Ken invites him to Maine
• Started boxing for a short while under Mark Landry

2002    

• Earned his third degree black belt in Hensan Ryu Karate
• Shihan Javier moves back to Mexico
• Renshi Craig and Sensei Shane Dutill were given the responsibility of modifying Hensan Ryu Karate to incorporate more Shudokan Karate into the style.

2006    

• Earned his fourth degree black belt in Hensan Ryu Karate and earned the title of Renshi
• Became the head instructor of Hensan Ryu Karate

2007    

• Shihan Javier visits Maine and Renshi Craig learns more Shudokan Karate
• Once again Hensan Ryu Karate was modified to incorporate more Shudokan Karate​

2019    

• Earned his sixth degree black belt in Club Naha Karate-Do (Hensan Ryu Karate)
• Trained at Toyama Karate-Do in Santa Ana California
• Trained in Kobudo under Renshi Kayla Provencher​

​​​2022

• Participated in a five week course on the kata Shinpa Tan and Shinpa Cho taught by Hanshi Christian Bellina​
• Traveled to Mexico and trained at the Club Naha Karate-Do Headquarters Dojo
  

​​​2023

• Started learning the kata Kyoku Nanadan from Hanshi Christian Bellina

2024

• Became a full member of the Shudokan Martial Arts Association and was awarded Shodan (first degree black belt) in their karate division.
• Became a member of the Peaceful Warrior Black Belt Club.
• Appointed President of the USA for the World Karate Society
  

2020    

• Become a member of the International Shudokan Research Society
• ​Trained at the Toyama Karate-Do headquarters dojo in Mexico City, Mexico and learned the older versions of the Pinan kata
• Trained at Club De Karate-Do “NAHA” Mexico in Iguala, Mexico
• Earned his sixth degree black belt in Shudokan Karate​​

​​​2021

• Featured in the 37th Edition of the book "The World's Greatest Martial Artists"​
  
• Trained at the IKKF Karate/Kobudo Summer Training. 
• Participated in a seven week intensive course on the "inner techniques" of Toyama Kanken under Hanshi Christian Bellina
• Traveled to Mexico to train at both the Toyama Karate-Do headquarters dojo and the Club Naha Karate-Do headquarters dojo

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He has also had the opportunity to learn different aspects of martial arts from the following martial arts instructors over the years at camps, seminars, trainings, and/or discussions:

• Blaise Loong (JKD trapping)
• Hanshi Bill Hayes (Kata application)
• Hanshi Bruce Heilman (Kata application)
• Hanshi Christian Bellina (Info about several Kyoku kata, the inner techniques of Toyama Kanken, the Shinpa Tan, and that kata Shinpa Cho)
• Hanshi Larry Isaac (Kata application)
• Hanshi Ron Martin (Sparring tactics)
• Kwan Ja Nim Richard Smith (JKD and Kali)
• Kyoshi Andy Campbell (Shotokan Sparring Techniques
• Kyoshi Brent Crisci (Hatchi No Raiden and more)
• Kyoshi Skip Varney (Knife and Stick Fighting Drills)
• Mr. Tristan Creeley (Sparring Techniques)
• Renshi Dan Rupert (Kobudo)
• Renshi Lisa Magiera (Sparring Drills)
• Sa Bum Nim Steve Day (TKD Kicking)
• Sensei Bob Grubert (Enpi)
• Sensei DJ Okeski (Shotokan Gojushiho Sho)
• Sensei Ray Lindsey (Heian Shodan & Nidan)
• Shihan Bob Dupuis (Tao Karate version of Naifanshin)
• Shihan Tobey Stansbury (Info about Kyoku Rokudan
• Shihan Wayne Carter (Shushi No Kon Sho)
• Shihan Wayne Mello (Meikyo and more)
• Sigong Banks (Some Five Animal Kung Fu)
• Sifu Dumont (Tai Chi Pushing Hands)

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