Roosevelt Garland

Shogun Karate Club

 
     
                  Sensei Roosesvelt Garland was born in July 1943 in South Carolina.  He has 5 sons, all who have Black Belts in Shorin-Ryu Karate.  At the age of 17, Roosesvelt Garland joined the United States Air Force, serving from 1961-1964.  "Grump" as he was known to most people, was a member of the United States Air Force Strategic Command team of Martial Arts.  "Grump" received his Black Belt in Judo and Jujitsu in 1964.  Roosesvelt Garland was employed at Bethlehem Steel as a Certified Electronics Technician from 1965 until he retired in February 2001.

 
                As a young man in the U.S.A.F., "Grump" developed an interest in the Martial Arts.  Because of the discipline and self control that he learned in the military, he was able to earn a Black Belt in three styles of Karate.  After leaving the U.S.A.F. in 1964, he pursued his interest in Martial Arts as a member of the Shogun Karate Club.  "Grump" trained with numerous martial artist such as; Riley Hawkins, Kenny Hall, Teddy Hall, Gregory Gilmore, Michael Peacock, Speedo Brown, Harold (Rap) Nichols, the late Clarence Johnson, the late Clarence (Big) Ham, Bill Clark, Master Teddy Gwen, Nate Sanders, Pernell Jones, Jesse Brown, James Jubilee, Thruman Teel, and Lisa Scott to name a few.  Roosevelt Garland received his Black Belt in Shorin-Ryu in 1975 under the Master Henry Wilson.

 
            Sensei "Grump" was Head Instructor of the Shogun Karate Club from 1989 until he resigned in spring of 2001.  He is still an active member of the Shogun Karate Club.  "Grump" has competed in over 600 tournaments, received over 1500 trophies - 100 of which were Grand Champions.  He has received numerous awards for outstanding recognition for services and dedication over the past 40 years in the Martial Arts.  After taking a short break from competitions he has come back to become the 2001-2002 Promoters Plus 50 and over Maryland State Champion in Kata and Kumite, 2002 nominee for the International Black Belt Hall of Fame, and the Action Magazine Hall of Fame and the Karate World Hall of Fame. "Grump" is a prime example of longevity in the Martial Arts.
                
 

 

Hall of Fame Sept '05

 

 

Sensei Garland & Soke Grosscup