Hanshi Don Kennedy

Hanshi Kennedy was intrigued by Martial Arts starting in 1964.

A friend told him about a karate class that was being held in a local church basement and he decided to see what it was all about. After watching what the instructor was demonstrating to his students, he was amazed at his ability to defend himself with limited effort and total self confidence in his ability to control any adversity that he would encounter.  Even though he seemed to move effortlessly, the power he generated was amazing, and Hanshi Kennedy was hooked!

After getting his wife’s approval to follow this passion, Hanshi Kennedy asked the instructor if he could join his class and he was accepted on a trial basis. That was in the winter of 1968.

For the next five years Hanshi Kennedy trained under Sensei Walter Daily, Yodan of the Shorin Ji Ryu Karate System.  During this time period Hanshi Kennedy competed almost every weekend, thinking that IF he competed long and hard enough, he too would be able to acquire the skills that his Sensei possessed.

It was during this period that he and five other high belts pooled their money and opened a commercial school. At this point, Hanshi Kennedy was still competing and looking for answers to reach the next level in his martial arts efforts.  In April of 1973 he was awarded his Shodan, 1st degree Black Belt, and he thought that this would allow him to find that “kye” that all marital artists hope to acquire.  Hanshi Kennedy was training in the Shorin Ryu style

In 1975 he was awarded his Nidan 2nd degree Black Belt and he found myself still looking for the answer to what is physical and what is mental and how do they coexist or how do they bond or merge?

In October of 1978 he was awarded his Sandan 3rd degree Black Belt by the head of the Shorin Ji Ryu karate system,  Master Zenpo Shimabukuro, who at that time was the supreme instructor of Seibu Kan Karate Dojo in Okinawa, Japan.

Master Zenpo Shimabukuro was one of Hanshi Kennedy’s favorite instructors.  When Hanshi Kennedy started a Martial Arts School, he brought Master Zenpo Shimabuku to America to teach at his schools.  When Hanshi Kennedy taught Martial Arts at Villanova University (he taught their club sport collegiate teams, competing around the US) Master Shimabukuro taught with him.

In 1984 Hanshi Kennedy was awarded his Yodan 4th degree at the Seibukan International Convention, hosted by his Dojo in Downingtown Pa.  In the 80’s, he went from competing to promoting the Martial Arts.

In 1987, he was awarded his 6th degree black belt by the All Okinawa Karate Kobudo.  In the 1990’s, due to increasing business pressures, he passed his schools in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio and West Virginia on to his head students.  Some schools still exist, others have been passed on.

Hanshi Kennedy came to The Villages as a 7th Degree Black Belt.  In the 2000 years, Hanshi Kennedy’s training was and is now more of a personal nature, as he feels that he is still a beginner as far as the martial arts are concerned.  Hanshi Kennedy feels that Hanshi Aiello deserves the utmost credit for providing an activity that allows one to pursue a healthier mind and body, as one ages. Hanshi Kennedy suggests that all the students take advantage of it as long as we are able.

In 2018, Hanshi Kennedy was awarded his 8th Degree Black Belt by the Yin Yang Do Karate Association, in accordance with the documentation provided by The Villages Karate for Life class.   Further, Hanshi Kennedy earned his 9th  Degree Black Belt on 11/14/18 – awarded by Hanshi Lee Aiello, to much cheering and “well done” from our Karate for Life group!

Hanshi Aiello has said many times that he enjoys the relationship he shares with Hanshi Kennedy, as they continue to teach us the katas and moves from their styles, learned through their years in the martial arts.

The students in our Karate for Life group are EXTREMELY fortunate to have two instructors of the caliber of Hanshi Aiello and Hanshi Kennedy.  We hope we can make them proud!