Chris Becker
SANDAN (3rd Degree Black Belt)
SHOTOKAN KARATEDO
Chris started training as a youth with the International Karate Association (IKA) dojo in Pasadena under Shihan Tom Serrano, attaining a first kyu brown belt rank in Gosoku-ryu. Gosuku-ryu (the style of strength with speed) incorporates elements of Goju-ryu and Shotokan.
Chris took a break from martial arts training to pursue college, career, and family obligations. During these years he was a serious distance runner, competing in 5K to ultramarathon races, including a 2:40 marathon PR.
Insistent on training in the Shotokan style, Chris resumed his martial arts training with the Upland DAC dojo in 2011 with Shihan Ty Aponte. For many years, the DAC dojo shared a close relationship with the Pasadena IKA dojo Chris trained with in his youth. Chris was promoted to the rank of Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) in December 2013 and to Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) in December 2015.
In his "free" time, Chris is a high school chemistry teacher.
Timeline
IKA GOSOKU RYU KARATE (Pasadena)
1984 - Started
1986 - 1st Kyu (Brown Belt)
USKL SHOTOKAN KARATEDO
2011 - Started
2013 - Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt)
2015 - Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt)
2022 - Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt)
Papers
Photos
I believe the karate we study is a type of living art, and in the study of this art, we help keep it alive. As this living art changes throughout the years, new students are able to contribute to the continuum of this evolving art. As karate changes and adapts to new demands of modern societies, it ensures its relevance and utility.