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Hanshi Jerry Piddington competed on the national and international karate circuit in the late
60's and early 70's when the competition consisted of some of the legends of American
Karate. Not only did Mr. Piddington continually win sparring titles competing
against some of the top competitors in the country, he also maintained a lead in kata
competitions as well. Mr. Piddington held a long list of titles over the years
and in 1973 he was rated #9 in the U.S.A., and # 1 in the southeast by the "Black
Belt Yearbook", and #12 in the U.S.A. by "Professional Karate
Magazine." In the early 70's, Grandmaster Robert A. Trias
took notice of Jerry Piddington and invited him to create his own
style. On May 2, 1972, Mr. Piddington was declared the Headmaster and creator of
American Open Style Karate under the U.S.K.A. sanctified charter, established by Master
Trias, which was internationally ratified on May 30th, 1975. After 1974
Hanshi Piddington retired from the world of sport karate for some ten years. In 1988
however, he began teaching again in Ashland, Oregon and opened a new commercial school
under American Open Style Karate in February of 1993. Out of
his national headquarters in Medford, Oregon, he has reestablished himself as headmaster
of his style for schools throughout the U.S.A. In February
2000, Mr. Piddington was declared Headmaster of American Shorei/Shorin
Karate by Hanshi
John Pachivas, Grandmaster
of Shuri-ryu Karatedo, and was awarded his 9th degree black
belt. This was the last certificate that Mr. Pachivas signed
before he passed away.
Hanshi
Piddington, hosted a
live radio show which booked guests such as Joe Lewis, Jhoon Rhee, Joe Corley, Tom White
and Pat Johnson. Shihan Piddington is an actor in live theatre and television, with
several movie credits. The Film "Night Realm"
premiered at the Los Angeles Film Mart in 1994 and he also appeared in both "The
Quest" and "Bloodsport II".
Mr. Piddington's previous
promotions included the Four Seasons National Tournaments during the 1970's. As
founder of the National Karate Association, he promoted the First World
Light Heavy Weight Kickboxing Title held in North America, with Jeff Smith winning a
decision over Keith Haflick. Also under the NKA sanction, Piddington promoted the
First World Tag Team Kickboxing Championship, with The Gold Dust Twins, Ricky and Randy Smith defeating Dale
Cook's team, out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, considered by many as some of the best kickboxing
action to this date.
First
World Light Heavy Weight Championship
Keith
Haflick scoring a kick on Jeff Smith
Charlotte, NC 1977
In August 2002, Hanshi Piddington received the
Living Legends Tiger Award in Burbank, California, being recognized as
one of the Living Legends of Sport Karate, along with such
company as Chuck Norris, Bob Wall, Joe Lewis, etc.
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