O'Sensei Peter G. Urban 1934 - 2004
U.S.A.G.A.®
U.S.A.G.A.®
THE USA GOJU KARATE ASSOC. HALL OF FAME
Is dedicated to Grand Master Peter G. Urban Founder of American GoJu Karate
The USA GOJU KARATE ASSOC.
HALL OF FAME
Copyright ©
Peter Urban (1934 - 2004)
Peter Urban was born on August 14, 1934 , in Jersey
City, New Jersey. In 1952, he enlisted in the Navy where he became a
decoder. In 1953, while serving in Yokohama, Japan, he started his
apprenticeship under the late Master Richard Kim. He became Master Kim's
"Uchi-deshi" house student. In 1954, Master Kim introduced Urban to Master
Gogen Yamaguchi of Tokyo Japan.
In 1955, he was introduced to Master Masatatsu Oyama, also in Tokyo, Japan,
and becomes a full time student of Master Oyama. In 1956, Young Sensei Urban
teaches the 212th "MP" Military Police Corps in Tokyo Japan. In 1957, Sensei
Urban was chosen by the Late Master Yamaguchi to compete in the first all
Japan Collegiate Championships in Tokyo. In 1958, Sensei Urban was again
chosen to participate by Master Yamaguchi; this time at Chuo University
where he fights the captain of the Chuo University Karate team. In 1959, he
departs from Japan and establishes his first Goju-Ryu Dojo- school at 14th
St. Union City, New Jersey. At the time, he also had a dojo at the Hoboken
YMCA, where he would teach on week-ends. At the end of 1960, he taught
Goju-Ryu at a dojo that belonged to the Judo twins. He then establishes his
first Goju-Ryu Dojo in New York at 20 East 17th St. This is where Master
Urban founded The American Goju-Ryu Karate Assoc.
Peter G. Urban, a Greek-American, was truly a pioneer of the martial arts. He is widely regarded as the father of American Karate. While training in Japan, he learned from three of karate’s greatest masters—Gogen Yamaguchi, Masutatsu Oyama, and Richard Kim, respectively. In late1958 he opened his first karate academy at 14th St. and Summit Av.. Union City, New Jersey. on weekends he would teach at the Hoboken YMCA later, in late 1959 he established himself in New York City
He was responsible for the development of some of the great Goju-Ryu stylists of the era. These individuals include: Edward Verycken, Frank Ruiz, Johnny Kuhl, Gerald Orange, Al Gotay, Edward Doyle, Edward Ulysses, Robert Jones, Aaron Banks, Jay Maisel, Sekwii Sha, Frank Paradise Ron VanClief, Leon Wallace, Khemfoia Tol Padu and many others. Furthermore, he had a hand in the development of many organizations. O'Sensei Urban also published many books the most famous and world known is the KARATE DOJO
In addition, he allowed the formation of different entities within American Goju. Thus, it is the opinion of many martial artists, that American Goju-Ryu is truly "America’s indigenous style." Although there are many such styles in the United States, "American Goju is America’s system." Along with his vision, he was instrumental in revolutionizing Karate. He is America’s first 10th Dan, in addition to introducing the black uniform—gi, the iron-wall defense, and the famous grab and punch attack. Moreover, he introduced the American Taikyoku, the American Empi-Ha--the most beautiful form ever created, and the Urban Kururunfa to the Goju-Ryu curriculum. We are all indebted to the vision of this great pioneer.
