Findlay grandmaster and dojo bring home awards

FINDLAY — A Findlay martial arts instructor again received high accolades during an international Hall of Honors event in New Jersey. Grandmaster Kevin Cullen, owner of the Academy of Martial Arts Studies, was awarded the G.O.A.T. award (Greatest of All Time) from the Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors late January. Cullen and his instructors joined other international attendees and inductees for an annual weekend of seminars, tournaments and exhibitions. Organized by Sifu Alan Goldberg, the convention regularly draws the largest names in the industry, including Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Cynthia Rothrock, Michael Jai White, Demetrius "Oaktree" Edwards, and Samuel Kwok. The award recognizes Cullen's contributions to the martial arts as well as his dedication to the global martial arts community. This year, several of his instructors who attended the event also received awards and recognition for excellence in practicing and teaching the martial arts. "We're the best kept secret in Findlay," Cullen said. Cullen began his martial arts training in 1973 and has taught locally at his dojo, while also teaching free defense seminars to boy and girl scouts, church organizations, and the TRIAD group at 50 North. Nationally, he's held seminars for S.W.A.T. teams, Army RANGERS, Navy S.E.A.L. team members, and G.W. Bush's Secret Service team. He's even shared his Five Hands system of combat with Shaolin monks in China, and has trained with masters in Europe, the Caribbean, Okinawa and Japan. He holds black belts in numerous martial arts systems, but his primary style–and the one taught at his dojo in Findlay–is Goju Ryu, a traditional Okinawan style. Cullen received his 10th Degree Black Belt and Soke in 2012 by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council, the highest authority worldwide for Soke rank recognition and verification. Previously, Cullen was the head wrestling coach for Glenwood Middle School and a member of the 1995 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Roughneck Wrestling National Championship team at the University of Findlay. This past November, Cullen was elected to Findlay City Council, serving the 5th Ward and sitting on the City's Planning & Zoning Committee, helping shape local development policy. The Academy of Martial Arts Studies, which Cullen started in 1979, teaches students of all ages and has won Best of Findlay the past four years. He oversees training for all levels and abilities, and trains his black belts to teach the same traditional style. "No one gets a black belt from me until they have taught every class–Tiny Tigers, Karate Kids, adult beginners, and advanced. That's just part of the training," Cullen said. Teaching isn't just part of the training; it's his passion. Fluent in Japanese, Cullen also teaches English to international students in the Intensive English Language Program at the University of Findlay.