United States Soryu Karate Federation

History of Soryu Karate

      In April of 1967, the state of karate was markedly different from what it is today.  While people had a faint idea of what judo was, most were entirely ignorant of karate.  in the city of Austin, Texas, there were only two schools of instruction; Joe Alvarado's Soryu Karate on the Eastside, and mike Usselton on the University of Texas Campus.  Alvarado, a student of Michio Koyasu of Sasebo, Japan held the rank of 2nd Dan.  he began instruction in February 1967. Usselton was a 2nd Dan in Tae-Kwon-Do and a student of the famed Allen Steen of Dallas (who in turn was taught by Master Jhoon Rhee in 1957 at South West Texas State in San Marcos, Texas).  Training with Usselton was Eric Whorton, an outstanding 1st Dan.  Tony Lasit, a 4th Dan Ka-Ju-Kenbo stylist, had started a school on Bergstrom AFB outside of Austin prior to being transferred. Brown belts were few and far between.  There were three in 1967; Ben Calvo, Freddie Hernandez, and Jack Ruckleman. Calvo and Hernandez were students of Lasit, and Ruckleman was a student of Usselton.

      Mr. Lopez first began training students in 1971 as a blue belt. It was at this time that he was assigned the duties of self defense instructor at the Austin Police Academy, taking over from Tom Graham, a 2nd Dan Judoka. In September on 1973, after a grueling exam, Lopez was promoted to 1st Dan. Chris Lopez had a class of 44 students in Austin when he first opened his school in New Braunfels on 14 January, 1974. 10 of those students had been traveling from New Braunfels to Austin before he opened the New Braunfels school.  With the assistance of his wife Ida (who was promoted to 1st Dan in 1975), Chris Lopez also opened a school in San Antonio.

      Mr. Lopez, was one of the original 30 Texas instructors who founded the Amateur Organization of Karate in 1976  At that time, Lopez was also the promoter of the Lone Star State Karate Championships for several years.  This outstanding tournament annual drew some 400 fighters from around the country and Mexico, including several world champions.  His tournament was recognized as a first rate event with outstand judging and first rate competition. It was a "clean" tournament, but fell victim to area politics. Rather than knuckle under, Lopez shut down the tournament.

(More to follow)