They Call Me Sensei

About the Book

This is the story of Sensei Reese Rigby’s journey into Isshin-ryu karate-do from beginner white belt to ninth-degree black belt grandmaster, starting with his school of fourteen students in 1973 and growing to approximately three hundred karate students and an additional one hundred combined cardio kickboxing and tai chi students in 2012. In writing this book, Sensei Rigby wanted to share his story with his students, family, and others who are interested in a martial arts journey. This book is a tribute to his Isshin-ryu instructors, Grandmaster Angi Uezu and Grandmaster Tom Lewis, and his tai chi instructor, Sifu Diane Cannon.

About the Author

Sensei Reese Rigby is a ninth-degree black belt in Isshin-ryu karate-do. He started his martial arts training in 1969 and has had his own dojo since 1973. As a result of Sensei Rigby’s dedication to Isshin-ryu and his high level of achievement in the art, he has been inducted into the Okinawa Isshinryu Karate Association Hall of Fame and the Isshin-ryu Hall of Fame. Sensei Rigby is a co-vice president of the OIKKA, an international Okinawan Karate Association founded by Grandmaster Angi Uezu, and is a board member of the Isshin-ryu Hall of Fame. Sensei Rigby’s lifelong goal has been to live and teach the art of Isshin-ryu karate-do. He and his wife, Judy Rigby, own Rigby's Karate Academy in Dover, Delaware, where they continue to teach traditional Isshin-ryu karate and tai chi.