Dick Gabriel,
5th Degree Black Belt
(Chiang Ching Hu/
Strong Spirit Tiger)

Email: dick599@insightbb.com

Lexington, KY: Dick Gabriel is a 5th degree Black Belt who has been studying Chung Yen Shaolin martial arts since 1977. Born in Louisville, Dick initially joined the club while attending the University of Kentucky in order to write a series of articles as Sports Editor of the Kentucky Kernel.

Dick earned his first degree Black Belt in September of 1979 and his 5th degree rank on December 17, 2005. Dick has extensive studies in Tai Chi, Pa Kua, and Chi Kung.

Currently Sports Manager for Lexington's CBS affillate WKYT, Dick also produced a TV news 6-part series on the club's trip to China and Japan in 1994. Dick also lived two years in Dallas, TX where he was an instructor.

Dick's Material List: HERE

Audrey Robinson, 5th Degree Black Belt

Lexington, KY: Originally from New York, Audrey has been studying with Masters Hiang The and David Cubine since 1992, currently with Master The. Also has been studying Zen since 1967. Teaches Tai Chi and Tai Chi Sword at High Street YMCA. Audrey received her 5th degree rank on December 14, 2008.

Audrey's partial Material List HERE

Gayle Sherrod, 5th Degree Black Belt

Lexington, KY: Received his 5th degree rank on December 14, 2008.

Tim Frances, 5th Degree Black Belt

Lexington, KY: Received 5th Degree Black Belt December 14, 2008

Roy Watts, 4th Degree Black Belt

Winchester, KY: .

Brian Runyon, 4th Degree Black Belt

Brian Runyon has been practicing Shaolin since 1996. He is originally from Inez in Eastern Ky and moved to Lexington in 2000. Brian is a former elementary school teacher who now works in the wood veneer industry. Brian, who teaches in Winchester, received his 4th Degree rank on December 17, 2005.

Email: sisuk@hotmail.com

Henry Roig, 4th Degree Black Belt

Lexington, KY: Henry Roig, a 4th degree Black Belt, with over 30 years of experience, teaches at the North Lexington Family YMCA. A long time UPS employee, Henry received his 4th degree rank on December 14, 2008.

Tom Covello, 3rd Degree Black Belt

Lexington, KY: Tom Covello studied under Master David Cubine beginning in 1993. After spending two years as an assistant instructor for Master Cubine, Tom taught classes at North Lexington and Beaumont YMCAs. A former woodworker, Tom has made many of the weapons used in his training, including a collection of nunchakus he has turned out of exotic woods. Born near New York City, Tom graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. As a regular on the jazz scene in Lexington, Kentucky, he has played and recorded with a wide variety of performers with an emphasis on progressive and fusion jazz, including the Lexington Jazz Project. Tom now lives in San Francisco, CA

Email: tom@lexjazzproject.com

Jamie West, 3rd Degree Black Belt

Lexington, KY:

Kevin Sullivan, 3rd Degree Black Belt

Cynthiana, KY: Bio pending

Kie Fallis, 3rd Degree Black Belt

Lexington, KY: Received 3rd Degree Black Belt April 1990

Cheryl Irwin , 3rd Degree Black Belt

Lexington, KY: Received 3rd Degree Black Belt December 2005.

Steve Richie, 3rd Degree Black Belt

Cynthiana, KY: Steve has been an instructor for Larry Mattox in Cynthiana. Started in 1979 and has been very active since 1997.  Weapons are a big interest.

Nicholas Richie , 3rd Degree Black Belt

Cynthiana, KY: Student of Larry Mattox in Cynthiana. Has been training from an early age with his dad, Steve Richie.

David Graves, 3rd Degree Black Belt

Lexington, KY: Received 3rd Degree Black Belt December 14, 2008

Mark Lewis, 3rd Degree Black Belt

Lexington, KY: Received 3rd Degree Black Belt December 14, 2008