About

Kancho John “Kuma” Farrell Judan O-Sensei

 Kancho Farrell describes his youthful self as a “thin and gangly child who got beat-up a lot”… Diagnosed at an early age with Scoliosis, a Chinese Doctor recommended that he train in the Martial Arts, to strengthen his malformed back.

The once sickly child, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania joined the High School track team, and became an AAU Track Champion, setting the Pennsylvania State Record for the 440.

In 1966, the speedster was picked-up by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a wide receiver, but his pro career was cut short when he was drafted in 1967.  Sgt. John "Tony" Farrell served in the Special Forces while in Viet Nam, earning the Army Commendation Medal, and performed “Dust-off” operations… evacuating & rescuing wounded soldiers while suspended under a medivac helicopter

Kancho Farrell began training in Jujitsu in 1950 under Shihan Theodore Flewellen, and later earned his 2^nd Nidan from Shihan Theodore Mitchell.  While in Jr. High School, Kancho Farrell began Karate training in Koseido, and earned his 2^nd Nidan from Hanshi Joseph Hedderman. This system is one of the oldest systems in the USA. Then Isshin-Ryu Sensei Joseph Pennywelll began working with the young prodigy, introducing him to 10^th Dan O-Sensei Tatsuo Shimabuku, from Okinawa, Kancho Farrell earned his Shodan, and continued to study the Isshin-Ryu system under O-Sensei Ted Vollrath (10^th Dan), and even appeared in the documentary film Let Me Live in Your World, with Master Vollrath.   

 Many years earlier, Shihan Charles Gruzanski introduced Kancho Farrell to Kyokushinkai Karate… The Japanese themselves refer to Kyokushinkai as “Kenka Karate,” or knock-down “Fighting Karate,” differentiating it from other styles currently being practiced in Japan. Shihan Farrell eventually earned his 9^th Degree in this style, having trained under or with such Kyokushin Shihan’s as Bobby Lowe, S. Oyama, Y. Oyama, Tadashi Nakamora, Andre Coulombe, and of course, the great Sosai Mas Oyama O-Sensei founder of Kyokushin KaiKan (until his passing in 1994).     

   Kancho Farrell was considered, by many, to have been Sosai Oyama’s “top American born student,” and is featured in Black Belt Magazine, Who’s Who in the Martial Arts, and was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame as “Master Instructor of the Year” (1996).  He has instructed many law enforcement officers & agencies including Central Intelligence Personnel and earned the Department of Justice, U.S. Marshall Service Citation of Appreciation.

   Kancho Farrell has also had the opportunity to study Shorin-Ryu Karate under four of the greatest Shihan Instructors that the art has ever know, Hanshi Ronald Lindsey 9^th Dan, Sam D. Pearson Sensei 9^th, John Hamilton Sensei 9^th Dan, and O-Sensei Glenn R. Premru 10^th Dan.  While still in Viet Nam, Kancho Farrell was introduced to the Korean Martial Arts and trained with General K.C.Park in Mu Duk Kwan, continuing his training with the famous Ki Wang Kim (10^th Dan) upon his return to the U.S. Also during this time, Kancho Farrell earned his Shodan in Judo under Yu Kim, trained in Shito-Ryu Karate with the legendary Fumio Demura, studied Shorei-Ryu Karate with Robert Trias 10^th Dan (founder of the USKA), and has trained in Gyaku-Nami-Do Karate with Shihan Gene Thorner, Head of the ASMA.  Kancho Farrell also holds a Shodan in Aikido and has trained with Ruriko Masutani Sensei, Larry Salazar Sensei, and Steven Segal.   

   On October 1^st 2006 Kancho Farrell formed an association for all Martial Artist to learn as well train and teach. He calls this group Kuma Dojo Association Karate-Do International and also formed his on style called Kyokushin-Ha. July 29, 2007 on the eve of his 65^th birthday, the Kuma Dojo Association’s Karate-Do International senior board members awarded Kancho Farrell with the rank of Judan, 10^th degree, for his 57  years with-in the Martial Arts and holding 8 different Dan.

Kancho continues to teach every week, he welcomes all to join him for classes or have him join you at your dojo for a seminar.

Please contact Sensei Mark

mark@kumadojoassoc.org for further details.