Scottsdale Martial Arts Center has Classes in Scottsdale, Perfect for Kids, Teens, and Adults.
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Scottsdale Martial Arts Center proudly serving Scottsdale since 1986
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CONTENTS
- Who We Are
- Safe Sport-Background Checked
- Instructors
- Our Facility
- School History
- Martial Art Style
- USA Karate Arizona
Who we Are And why You Should Train Here
Since our opening in 1986, we have dedicated ourselves to changing people’s lives one person at a time through martial art training, education, and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable, and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members. We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop and succeed in their personal goals.
We strongly believe martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or experience level. Throughout our programs, behind our realistic and practical approach, students will learn the necessary skill sets to protect themselves and develop the mental and philosophical mindset to engage our complex world successfully.
Safe Sport Certified/Background Check
All adult staff members are background checked.
What is SafeSport?
SafeSport is the Olympic community’s initiative to recognize, reduce and respond to misconduct in sport. The six primary types of misconduct are
- Bullying
- Harassment
- Hazing
- Emotional Misconduct
- Physical Misconduct
- Sexual Misconduct, including Child Sexual Abuse
Why SafeSport?
Sport provides athletes with an opportunity to perform – on and off the field. Unfortunately, sport can also be a high-risk environment for misconduct and abuse. For example, studies indicate that as many as one in eight athletes will be sexually abused within their sport. Misconduct is a critical issue in sport, and one which we all need a game plan to prevent.
Who is SafeSport for?
We all play a role in reducing misconduct and abuse and sport. SafeSport provides resources for all members of the sports community – organizations, coaches, parents, and athletes – to understand what misconduct is, implement ways to reduce it, and identify plans to respond to it.
Instructors
Ray Hughes
President: USA Karate Arizona
President: Arizona Wado Karate Association
Board Member: USA Karate Governance Board (2017 to current)
Pan American Karate Federation Referee
Ray Hughes is the owner of Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, Inc. (SMAC) with a membership of around 300 members. SMAC is the oldest and largest martial arts school in Scottsdale, Arizona which he started in 1986. He is the President of both USA Karate Arizona ASO and Arizona Wado, and a member of the Governance Board of USA Karate.
Mr. Hughes started training in Wado karate in 1976 under the instruction of Sensei Marlon Moore in Mesa, Arizona. He went full-time karate in 1986 and built his own dojo in 2002.
Ray Hughes holds dan (black belt) ranks in Wado Ryu (4th), JKF Wado Kai (5th), USNKF (6th), 6th dan awarded by the late Dan Ivan, 7th dan from USA Karate-do KyoKai with Sensei Chuck Merriman and Sensei Lee Gray on the testing board and USA Wado Federation (7th).
Mr. Hughes had an extensive competition career that covered the 70’s through the 2000s. In addition to numerous local and regional competition championships, Ray competed on 5 USA Karate Teams, two that won gold and one that won silver. His highlight year was 1986 where he was voted outstanding competitor at the Osawa Traditional Karate Championships in Las Vegas and awarded a trip to Japan, voted outstanding competitor at the USA Wado Ryu Karate Championships in Utah, and voted school and competitor of the year by USA Wado.
Though Mr. Hughes teaches all age groups and skill levels, his passion is the positive development of youth through the instruction of traditional martial arts. Ray has formed two nonprofit corporations, USA Karate Arizona ASO and Champions Foundation of Arizona, to further this cause. His mission is to give every child in Arizona the opportunity to learn life skills through the teachings of traditional martial arts. His goal is to drive students who have an interest in martial arts to a quality school in their area, regardless of style or art.
Career Accomplishments
1998
National Champion Gold Medal – USNKF (United States National Karate Federation); Over 40 Kumite (Sparring).
1997
National Champion Gold Medal – USNKF (United States National Karate Federation); Over 40 Kumite (Sparring).
1986
Outstanding Competitor – Traditional Karate Championships, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Awarded trip to Japan;
Grand Champion – USA Wado Karate Championships (Utah Open);
defeated three-time grand champion;
Competitor of the Year – USA Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Federation;
School of the Year – USA Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Federation.
USA Team Competition
1989
World Wado Championships; London, England.
1988
All Japan Wado-Ryu Championships; Yokohama, Japan; Team USA wins the silver medal.
1985
The USA vs. Canada National Team; Vancouver, Canada; Team USA wins the gold medal.
1984
All Japan Wado-Ryu Karate Championships; Tokyo, Japan;
USA vs. Canadian National Team; Orange County, California; Team USA wins the gold medal.
Black Belt Competitions
Year Tournament Event Place
2005 Food Raising Tournament Team Competition 1st
Central Arizona Karate Championships Kumite Grand Champion
2004 Central Arizona Karate Championships Kumite Grand Champion
Ozawa Cup – Las Vegas, Nevada Team Competition; 40 & Over 1st
2003 Central Arizona Karate Championships Kumite Grand Champion
USA Open Karate Championship Team Team Competition 1st
2002 City of Commerce – California Kata; 35 & Over 1st
City of Commerce – California Kumite; 35 & Over 1st
City of Commerce – California Grand Championship Lost by half a point.
1999 USA Wado-Ryu Championships – California Kumite; 35 & Over 1st
USA Wado-Ryu Championships – California Kata; 35 & Over 1st
1998 USA-NKF Nationals – Louisiana Kumite; 40 & Over 1st
Glendale Karate Championships – Arizona Team Kumite 1st
1997 USA-NKF Nationals – Colorado Kumite; 40 & Over 1st
Shiai ’97 – Arizona Kumite 1st
1996 USA Wado-Ryu Championships – California Kumite; 35 & Over 1st
USA Wado-Ryu Championships Kata; 35 & Over 2nd
1993 Itosu-Kai/Jundokan Invitational – Arizona Kata 2nd
1989 19th Annual Utah Open Kumite; Heavyweight 2nd
7th Annual Southwest Karate Invitational – Arizona Kumite 1st
7th Annual Southwest Karate Invitational – Arizona Kata 3rd
7th Annual Southwest Karate Invitational – Arizona Outstanding Competitor
18th Annual Friendship Karate Championships – California Kumite 2nd
City of Commerce 14th Annual Karate Championships – California Kumite 2nd
1988 18th Annual Utah Open Kumite; Lightweight 2nd
15th Annual Riverside National Invitational – California Kumite 2nd
Mesa Karate Invitational – Arizona Team Kumite 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational – Arizona Kata 2nd
Mesa Karate Invitational – Arizona Kumite 1st
All Japan Wado-Ryu International Karate Championships – Yokohama, Japan Team Kumite 2nd
Japan Karate Federation 17th Annual Karate Championships – California Kumite 3rd
1987 6th Annual Glendale Invitational Karate Championships – Arizona Kumite 1st
International Martial Arts Federation Karate Championships – Las Vegas, Nevada Kumite 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational – Arizona Kumite 1st
16th Annual Friendship Karate Championships – California Kumite 1st
Southwest Karate Invitational – Arizona Kumite 2nd
1986 5th Annual Glendale Invitational Karate Championships – Arizona Kumite 1st
Southeast Utah Karate Championships Kumite 1st
Southeast Utah Karate Championships Kata 1st
16th Annual Utah Open Kumite; Lightweight 1st
16th Annual Utah Open Kumite Grand Champion
15th Annual Friendship Karate Championships – California Kumite 1st
The City of Commerce 11th Annual Karate Championships – California Kumite 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational – Arizona Kumite 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational – Arizona Kata 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational – Arizona Team Kumite 1st
1985 Southeast Utah Karate Championships Kumite 1st
15th Annual Utah Open Kumite; Heavyweight 1st
National Karate Association of Canada Karate Championships – Canada Team Kumite 1st
The City of Commerce 10th Annual Karate Championships – California Kumite 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational – Arizona Kumite 1st
1984 14th Annual Utah Open Kumite; Lightweight 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational – Arizona Team Kumite 2nd
Japan Karate Federation 13th Annual Karate Championships – California Kumite 2nd
Japan Karate Federation 13th Annual Karate Championships – California Team Kumite; the USA vs. Canada 1st
1983 13th Annual Utah Open – Utah Kumite; Lightweight 2nd
W.K.O. Full Contact Karate – Arizona Winner by Unanimous Decision
2nd Annual Mesa Karate Championships – Arizona Kumite 1st
1982 11th Annual Friendship Karate Championships – California Kumite 1st
Glendale Open Karate Championships – Arizona Kumite 2nd
Mesa Karate Championships – Arizona Kumite 1st
1981 National GKFA Friendship Karate Championships – California Kumite 3rd
11th Annual Utah Open – Utah Kumite 2rd
1980 Great Western Classic – Arizona Kumite 1st
9th Annual Friendship Karate Championships – California Kumite 2nd
Christian-Stienstra
- Elite Instructor
- Began Wado Training in November of 2009
- Began Training Kobudo in 2010
- Received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in December of 2016
- Received Nidan (2nd degree black belt) December 2020
- Achieved Brown Belt in Kobudo (Weapons) in 2015
- Received his Shotokan Black Belt in 2018
- Elite Athlete since 2015
- Two time Junior US Team Member
- ISKF National Team Member
- 7 time US Open Medalist
- 5 Time National Kumite Medalist
- Two 1st Place Kumite Medals
- One 2nd Place Kumite Medals
- Two 3rd Place Kumite Medals
- 3 time Wado Specific Finalist
- USANKF Certified Kata and Kumite Coach since 2016
- Competed in local, regional and international tournaments
- Taught at SMAC since 2014
- Elite Instructor since 2020
- Head of the SMAC Elite Competition Team
Duane Abbajay
- Elite Instructor
- Received Shodan (first degree black belt) in 2013
- Received Nidan (second degree black belt) in 2018
- Has Competed In Both US Open & US Nationals (Winning Gold & Silver Medals 2010 U.S. Nationals)
- Participates on Belt Promotion Board Testing & Tournament Referee
“I brought my son in to try SMAC in 2006 after having tried a couple different dojos. I was invited to try the adult class in 2008 by Sensei Ray Hughes. My wife Paula also began training shortly there after. We found ourselves really enjoying the many friendships with other families. (Sharing in karate training with them is to this day a cherished bonus).
A few years later, I experienced one of the proudest experiences of my life in receiving a black belt with my son Frazier in 2013.
KARATE has had so many unexpected benefits, including a much-enhanced awareness in everyday life. Even interacting with customers in my work. The gift of a great life coping tool-from dealing with the loss of a loved ones to my own life-threatening illness.
Today, having the opportunity to teach others is a great honor. Assisting them in their personal journey means to me not so much suggesting just what to see, but more as importantly where to look.”
Kyle Harder
- Elite Instructor
Kyle started training January of 1989 at 5 years of age. He achieved the rank of Junior Black Belt in Wado at age 11 in 1995. Kyle also trained in Judo for 3 years from ages 13-15 to further his Martial Arts experience, primarily focused on ground techniques and throws. Additionally, he also achieved his 1st degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate in 2008 at the age 25. At age 27 in 2009, Kyle tested and achieved 2nd degree black belt in Wado. In 2012, he tested in the WKF Referee Standards and was given a Category C Judges Certification for Kumite. Since his start in 1989, Kyle has competed over 500 tournaments – Including competing at the WKF/AAU Nationals, WKF US Open, and competing on Team USA for the Wado World Championships in 1999 Tokyo, Japan / 2008 Vancouver, Canada / and 2010 Nagoya, Japan. Kyle has also competed across multiple Karate federations, where he was a part of the Southwest Karate Kumite Team that took Gold in Team Kumite at the US National ISKF Karate Tournament in San Francisco, California. Kyle has been teaching Private Lessons since achieving his Black Belt in Wado and continues to invest in the (up-and-coming) youth karate-ka of Wado. Last, but certainly not least, Kyle has spent 26 years of training under Ray Hughes and continues to do so, today.
Scott Harrow
- Elite Instructor
- Began training in March of 2001
- Began Kobudo/Kobujutsu (weapons) training in September of 2003
- Scott teaches all levels from 4-year-old white belts to adult black belts
- Scott had two children, niece and nephew, who participated in the karate program from 1999 to 2006
- Awarded his Shodan (1st degree) rank in December of 2005, Nidan (2nd degree) in November of 2009, Sandan (3rd degree) in December of 2014, and Yondan (4th degree) rank in December 2021, in karate
- Awarded Shodan rank in December of 2009 in Okinawan Kobudo
- USANKF Kata and Kumite certified Official since 2012
- USANKF SafeSport accredited Coach (includes both SafeSport training and NCSI background check) since 2014
- SMAC Elite Competition Team Coach since 2013
- Trained in Jujitsu from 2001 to 2002
- Trained in Shito Ryu karate since 2007
- Has been sitting on belt promotion boards since 2005
Competed and placed in both local and regional tournaments
Pamela Carrus
- Elite Instructor
- Training Since 1986
- Received her Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1996
- Current rank – Godan (5th degree)
- Teaching since 1996
- Has competed in Japan
- 1999 Western States Championship, Women’s Black Belt Kumite Individual – 2nd Place
- 1999 Western States Championship, Women’s Black Belt Kumite Team – 2nd Place
- 1999 World Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Championship Tokyo, Japan Women’s Black Belt Kumite Team – 3rd Place
- 2001 22nd Annual Sportsmanship Invitational Women’s Black Belt Individual – Grand Champion
- 2002 23rd Annual Sportsmanship Invitational Women’s Black Belt Individual – Grand Champion
Peter Wehner
- Elite Instructor
- Trained in Shito-ryu Karate from 1994 to 1997
- Began training in Wado-ryu Karate in 1998 under Sensei Ray Hughes
- Awarded Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 2001
- Awarded Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in 2006
- Awarded Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in 2011
- Awarded Yondan (4th degree black belt) in 2017
- Teaching since 2010 (children and adults)
- Peter’s two sons have also trained with his eldest achieving his Shodan (1st degree black belt) at the age 0f 15 after 10 years of training
- Peter’s wife also trains and is currently a brown belt
Mary Tatum
- Elite Instructor
- Yondan 4th Degree Black Belt-2022
- Sandan 3rd Degree Black Belt-2015
- Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt-2009
- Shodan 1st Degree Black-2005
Mary began her karate study in 1994 in a Korean style martial arts. In 1999 Mary found Scottsdale Martial Arts Center and continued her karate journey/training in Wado Kai under Sensei Ray Hughes where she continues to this day!
In 2005 Mary was awarded her Sho Dan Black Belt in Wado Kai, earned her Ni Dan in 2009 and has received an invitation to test for her San Dan Black Belt in December 2015. She continues to train four evenings a week, and also assists and instructs in weekly classes for Pee Wees, Juniors, Teens and Adults. One of her greatest passions is working with our Pee Wee group!
Mary is a member of the Belt Promotion Board at Scottsdale Martial Arts Center and this has truly been rewarding, exciting and a wonderful opportunity to know each and every student on a more personal level. She has been a member since 2004.
Mary has been training in Okinawa Kobudo and Kobujitsu since 2003 and earned her Sho Dan Black belt in 2010. She continues to train and also instructs the Kodubo class on Friday evenings. She has competed in Kobudo at numerous tournaments in the Western states since 2003.
Her martial arts journey continues with her training in Shito Ryu and Goju Ryu style under the instruction of Sensei’s Robert & Robin Hunt. She started training in this style in 2003. Further training and studies also include Hoteikan Judo/Jujitsu starting in 2005.
Mary was awarded, in the sport of Karate, the 2011 Power Play of the Year Award from the Grand Canyon State Games . This prestigious award is given to select individuals who demonstrate exceptional character and sportsmanship as a participant in the Grand Canyon States Games. Select athletes who display extraordinary character as defined by the six pillars of character – trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. The Grand State Games Tournament is a favorite and Mary has competed here in the Summer and Winter Games since 2000.
Mary received her Certification as a Judge/Referee with the USA National Karate Federation in 2011 and continues to study and upgrade her Certifications. She has been judging/referring since 2006. Her memberships include the USA National Karate Federation, USA Karate and the Japan Karate Federation. Mary is working toward her Coaching Certification with USA National Karate Federation.
Competition is no stranger to Mary. Her very first tournament was in 1999, as a white belt, where she earned her first Gold Medal – she was 60 years old! She has competed in Kumite and Kata Tournaments in Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. Her medal collection number is quite extensive (over 50)! Competing at the AAU National Karate Championship in Salt Lake City was truly exciting where she earned a Gold Medal in Kata and Silver in Kumite in her age division (55+ years and over)! Competition continues!
Susana Romo
- Elite Instructor
1992 | Started Training |
1999 | Shodan (1st degree black belt) |
2002 | Nidan (2nd degree black belt) |
200? | Sandan (3rd degree black belt) |
2015 | Yondan (4th degree black belt) |
2011 | USA – NKF Judge |
2015 | Kata Judge C |
2015 | Kumite Referee D |
2002-2015 | Experience Judging and Referee |
1999-2015 | Judging Belt Promotions |
1997-2006 | Co-taught classes |
1999-2004 | Taught private lessons |
State – National – International Competitions
1999 | World Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Championship Tokyo, Japan Women Black Belt Kumite Team – 3rd Place |
1999 | 20th Arizona Sportsmanship Invitational Women’s Black Belt Individual – Kata Grand Champion |
1999 | 20th Arizona Sportsmanship Invitational Women’s Black Belt Individual – Kumite Grand Champion |
2002 | 23rd Karate Invitational Kata – Gold – 1st Place |
2002 | 23rd Karate Invitational Kumite – Silver – 2nd Place |
2003 | 24th Karate Invitational Grand Canyon State – Kata – Bronze -3rd place |
2003 | 24th Karate Invitational Grand Canyon State – Kumite – Bronze -3rd place |
2004 | 25th Karate Invitational Grand Canyon State – Kata– Silver -2nd place |
Isabelle Kar
Gabe Williams
Instructor
Started Training in 2010
Received Shodan (1st-degree black belt) in 2020
Started teaching in 2020
Instructor
Our Facility
Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, Inc. is conveniently located on the southeast corner of 91st St. and Bell Rd.
The center was designed to maximize the potential of each student. The three separate training floors enable us to keep class sizes small and to keep similar skill levels together.
Our 6,000 square foot facility includes:
Main Training Floor
Rubberized foam mats that are ideal for martial arts training and of the type used in National and International competitions.
Large bleacher section for parents to sit and observe class.
State-of-the-Art HD projector with an 8 sq. ft. screen — the projector is linked with other media equipment so our instructors can film classes, show training tapes, DVDs or online footage.
Second training Floor
Grappling floor composed of tatami mats (the same mats used in Olympic judo competition).
Large viewing area for parents and friends.
Third training Floor
Multi-use floor used for karate, weapons training, and other martial arts.
Large viewing area for parents and friends.
Dressing Rooms
Separate dressing rooms for men and women, complete with lockers and showers.
Children’s Playroom
We also have a dedicated playroom with a padded floor with toys and movies for toddlers to enjoy while their siblings train. Please respect that this is an unsupervised playroom and it is the parent’s responsibility to supervise their child.
School History
1976
Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, Inc. had its beginning under the name of Arizona Wado Karate. The center was originally located in Mesa and was owned and operated by Sensei Marlon Moore.
1986
In the mid-80s, Sensei Marlon Moore came down with a debilitating illness and turned over the operations to his senior student, Ray Hughes. While managing the operations of the school, Ray started a second school in Scottsdale, located at the YMCA, and operated both programs under the name of Arizona Wado Karate until Sensei Moore returned. Soon after Sensei Moore’s return, Ray opened a school in the Scottsdale Airpark not far from the YMCA. Ray managed both the Scottsdale YMCA karate program and the school in Scottsdale Airpark until 2002.
1993
Ray decided to change the school from a karate only facility to a multiple art facility. This change allowed the center to expand its services, which allowed more people of every age and skill level the opportunity to explore the modern benefits of the martial arts. Though it was not uncommon to see a school host two arts, this school was unique in that it offered 10 different arts. At this time, the name of the school was changed to Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, Inc. to better represent its new direction.
1998
The center grew and it became apparent that a new facility was needed. So Ray started the process to fulfill a lifelong dream to design and build his own facility. He gathered together a group of individuals from the school that shared his vision. These individuals, fathers of children in the karate program, were experts in their fields of finance, law, and real estate. Together they came up with a plan to develop and build Scottsdale’s first and only premier martial arts center.
2002
After many ups and downs and almost four years to the date (the same amount of time it takes an adult to reach a traditional black belt) the doors of the Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, Inc. opened on September 5, 2002. That same year, Sensei Ray Hughes handed the YMCA program over to one of his students.
Today
Today, Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, Inc. is Scottsdale’s premier martial arts center. Not only is it the oldest martial arts school in Scottsdale, it is thriving as the largest and most diversified.
Wado International Karate Federation (WIKF)
We teach the martial art style of Wado Ryu karate. We are members of Wado International Karate Federation (WIKF).
Hoteikan Jujutsu
All grappling training is under the instruction of Hoteikan Jujutsu. The Chief Instructor is Sensei Dan Pensabene, 6th Degree Black Belt [Rokudan] in San Do Ichi Ryu Jujutsu. He is assisted by senior instructors Sensei Ken Wong, Sensei Kirk Householder, and Sensei Marcel Tutt.
Juniors-at the end of all kata (forms) days
Teen/Adults
The first Tuesday of the month from 6 PM to 7 PM
The third Monday of the month from 6 PM to 7 PM
Every Saturday from 10 AM to 11 AM
USA Karate Arizona ASO
Scottsdale Martial Arts Center is a member of USA Karate Arizona ASO. Ray Hughes is the current President.
The USA Karate Arizona ASO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. It is the approved sports organization of USA KARATE in the state of Arizona. USA KARATE is the national governing body for both the United States Olympic Committee and the World Karate Federation (WKF).
Vision
The vision of this organization is to give every child in the state of Arizona the opportunity to learn life skills through the training of traditional martial arts.
Mission Statement
- To give all at-risk Arizona youth the opportunity to develop life skills through our Youth Development Program
- To operate a sanctioned Arizona Karate Championship competition, which serves as a qualifier for the USA Karate Nationals
- To raise funds to help competitors, referees, and coaches attend and compete in the Jr. International Cup, USA Karate Open, and the USA Karate Nationals
- To develop great martial artists, world-class athletes, certified referees, and coaches
