Jerry Piddington

Hanshi Jerry Piddington competed nationally and internationally in the 60's and 70's. Jerry won most of his sparring contests and maintained a lead in Kata competition as well. Jerry won various titles and was ranked #9 in the US in 1973, #1 in the South East by the Blackbelt Yearbook and the US's #12 by Professional Karate Magazine. In 1970 Jerry was invited by Grandmaster Trias to create his own style. On May 2, 1972 Jerry was declared the Headmaster and creator of American Open Style Karate under USKA. In 1974 Jerry retired from Karate, but only to return in 1988 when he began teaching in Ashland, Oregon. In February 2000 Jerry was declared Headmaster of American Shorei / Ahorin Karate by Hanchi Pachivas and was awarded his 9th degree black belt. Later, Jerry would work as a radio host and appeared as an actor and stuntman in various action movies. But an even greater accomplishment was in 2002 when he received The Living Legend Tiger Award in Burbank, CA.