Dr. Rodney Graham

 When did Dr. Rodney begin the martial arts?     

Dr. Rodney E. Graham began his martial arts training in 1974, by studying Isshin-Ryu Karate-Do under the late Grandmaster Rick Boyer.  Later on, Rodney changed his discipline to a combination Wado-Ryu and Shotokan Karate-Do.  He studied under the leadership of the Japan National Champion Grandmaster Kiyohishia Hirano (Founder of the Japan International Karate Center system of schools), and the direct leadership of the JIKC National Champion Dale Coker. 

Sensei Rodney received his Black Belt on February 26, 1988. Rodney was the Charleston-Area JIKC Karate Tournament Champion at that time.  He won a Bronze Medal in Traditional Forms, as well as served as a Head Referee in the Charleston Classic Open Martial Arts Championships.  In 1996, Dr. Graham won the SC AAU State Karate Championship in Forms Competition.  He followed that in 1999 with a Silver Medal in Sparring Competition (placing under the eventual National AAU Champion), and a Silver Medal in Forms Competition, both at the SC AAU State Karate Championships. 

In 2000, Rodney received a Gold Medal as Coach of the SC State Championship Competition Karate Team.  He also received a Bronze Medal in Weapons Competition at the SC State Championships.  Rodney’s final competition was in June of 2004.  At the TSD United States South Region Championships, Rodney won a Gold Medal in Forms, a silver medal in Sparring, and a Bronze Medal in Board-Breaking Competition.