Sensei Greg Smith has been training at Champion Eyes for almost 9 years now.  It all started with a random visit to our dojo while looking for a place for his young daughter Kaylee to train.  He had visited a few other schools but fortunately, as fate would have it, found a home at Champion Eyes!  It was his young daughter, after taking a free class, that told her father “Dad, I think I need this!”.  Very insightful for such a young student.  After witnessing the teaching style at Champion Eyes, it didn’t take long for Greg to start training under Sensei Armando.  He had taken Shorin-ryu for a couple of years back in high school and always wanted to train again.   He dedicated himself to train hard and ultimately achieved his first degree black belt in 2019 at the ripe age of 50!  He is committed to continuing his journey testing for his first degree in Kobudo (weapons) the summer of 2021.  He is now teaching classes for Champion Eyes and is continuing his journey in martial arts.  It has also become a family affair, his wife Karla is a Sempai brown belt on her way to black belt!

An important part of this journey for Greg was the direct linage and relationship that Champion Eyes has with our Shorin-ryu Grand-Master Sensei Tadashi Yamashita.  Sensei Yamishita is a legend in the martial arts world and has a very close relationship with Champion Eyes and our students. Everyone has their own journey and the reasons they want to learn karate.  Self-defense, getting in shape, discipline, commitment, dedication, respect, confidence, etc.  Sensei Greg has a passion for all of these things and has become a family member here at Champion Eyes.