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Welcome to Carl Stone's Self Defense Unlimited, One of Florida's Premiere
Martial Arts Schools!
Our Mission
Our School was developed to give people the chance to learn Kyu Shin Ryu
Karate, Kickboxing, Kyu-Shin Jitsu, and Self defense in a Fun family oriented
atmosphere. Our classes will teach you what you need to know to improve
your mindset, health and give you the confidence to deal with any defense
situation, at any time, in complete control. Please feel free to browse our
website or come by to observe our classes and meet our instructors.
Founder's Profile:
Soke Carl R. Stone
10th Dan Kyu Shin Ryu
8th Dan U.S.A. Goju Ryu
8th Dan Okinawan Goju Ryu
8th Dan Goshin Ryu
6th Dan Samurai Jui Jitsu
6th Dan Shotokan
6th Dan Hoshin Jitsu Ryu
5th Dan Kobudo
5th Dan Shuri Ryu
Guru Katibayan Pambuan Arnis
American & Muay Thai kickboxer trainer
Carl Stone began his training in 1960 while stationed
in Okinawa with the 173rd Airbourne Brigade (paratroopers). He trained in Uechi
Ryu with Kanei Uechi and Isshinryu with its founder Tatsuo Shimabuku. He also
trained in Judo. Returning to the U.S.A. in 1965 as a brown belt he trained at
The Chicago Judo And Karate Center. He was fortunate that the center had some of
the greatest martial artist in the country. These great instructors took him
under their tutelage and influence him to this present day. All of these
instuctors became legends in the industry. They were Jim Koncevic, Al Gene
Caraulia (the first official world champion), Patrick Wyatt, and Ken Knudson.
Visiting instructors and fighters Bill Wallace, Jimmy Jones and Phil Koeppel
also influenced him during this phase of his career. In 1968 he was awarded his
1st Dan in Shotokan, Kajukenbo, Shuri (called Shorei at that time) and Judo from
the Center.
Shortly after recieving his first black belt he
relocated to the Tampa Bay area to be close to his family who had moved there in
1964. He continued his studies there and then moved to Orlando to take a job
with his brother-in-law as an assistant manager of a shoe store. This is where
he met William Liquori and consequently the great Peter Urban. He continued his
studies with Sensei Liquori for several years and credits him with his love of
competitions as well as Mike Foster whom he met through Sensei Liquori.
In 1970 after being promoted to manager of a Kinney
shoe store in West Palm Beach, Fl. he met Mark Herman and they opened a school.
By 1973 they had one of the largest schools in the country with 750 students.
"The Dojo" was the name of the school and they became known as one of the best
fighting schools in the nation. They traveled all across the country competing
in every major tournament there was. Sometimes they would take their buses with
100 or more students to compete in these tournaments. In these light contact
years of competing Sensei Stone met and trained with martial arts legends Joe
Lewis and Wally Slocki (they would come to his school and train), Stone
considers himself lucky to still call them friends to this day. He also met and
trained with Herbie Thompson, Rich Alford,, Ulysses "Pop " Wynn, Joe Hess, John
Pachivas and Ken Ogawa.
Sensei Stone has always been a realist and even when
training in light contact he always used techniques that would work in the
street if needed. His training sessions are hard and he teaches his students
techniques that work. In 1973 he began training his advanced students in full
contact martial arts (Sensei Stone fought the first full-contact karate match in
the state of Florida, he fought lightweight, Don "the Dragon" Wilson fought
middleweight and Herbie Thompson fought heavyweight at this event. They fought 3
three minute rounds on concrete floors with foam gear and sweeps and throws
allowed. Thankfully they changed some of the rules in fights that followed. By
1977 he had 10 black belts fighting and 6 of them were ranked in the top ten of
their divisions. Two of these later became world champions, Steve Shepherd won
his first title in 1978 and won world titles in the welterweight, super
welterweight, middleweight, super middleweight and in 1985 won the heavyweight
crown (as a middleweight) from "Oaktree Edwards". His titles were from the PKA
and WKA and he was one of the few to beat Don "The Dragon" Wilson. Gary Sproule
another student of Sensei Stone won the WAKO world light heavyweight
championship. Jeff Podgurski was ranked in the top three of the light
heavyweight division in kickboxing and ranked in the top ten in professional
boxing. By 1977 Sensei Stone had 7 schools across the state but became
disenchanted by the direction the martial arts were taking so he closed his
schools down in 1978.
He continued to teach privately and in 1982 moved to
Largo, Fl. where he still resides. His students grew from teaching privately to
30 people working out in his back yard ,and the neighbors complaining, to
opening a school in 1986 in Largo. He has taught FBI agents, local police and
sheriffs, Hulk Hogan is one of his honorary black belts in Ju-Jitsu.
His training has continued with instructors Raffy
Pamburan, Al Gossett, Neal Hummerstone, Frank Newton, Carly Gracie and Bill
Wallace. He competed until 2003 when as the oldest black belt in history (as far
as we know) he won the Grand Championship at Bill Wallaces "Kick Off In Tampa
Bay" tournament, he was 61 years old. Stone has won several state titles and was
the Florida League of Martial Artist (which he co-founded) champion in several
categories for 3 years straight. His students have won numerous national titles
including AAU and too many state titles to count.
Sensei Stone currently is on the board of World Head
of Family and Sokeship Council, the FLMA Sokeship Council and a FLMA director.
He is a certified Police Tactics Instructor and was the Southeast U.S. director
for this organization. Stone teaches with the help of his high ranking black
belts Mike Sullivan, Rick Davy, Rob Sheehan, Dan Lentz and David Lentz. They
teach Karate, Ju-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Arnis, weapons and street tactics.
Stone also supplies fighting mats at statewide
tournaments (to assure safety) and sells equipment at these tournaments. He
promotes tournaments and this year will host The World Martial Arts Magazine and
Martial Arts Radio Hall of Fame and the "Battle of Florida" the first weekend of
June 2009 in Clearwater, Fl.
Sensei Stone says he does not want to ever stop
teaching and god permitting he will continue to teach the rest of his life. He
would like to recognize the great instructors who have influenced him and passed
on: Senseis- Peter Urban, John Pachivas, Al Gossett, Jim Koncevic, Rich Alford,
Pat Wyatt, Ken Knudson, Pop Wynn, and his devoted world champion student Gary
Sproule.
Contact Information
- Telephone
- 727-581-9600
- Postal address
- 216 West Bay Dr. Largo, FL 33770
- Electronic mail
- General Information:
Senseistone@yahoo.com
Sales:
Customer Support:
Webmaster:
dlentz5@tampabay.rr.com
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