A Lifetime of Training. A Practical Approach to Personal Safety.
Ken Morgan, Hanshi, has trained in martial arts since 1967. A ninth-degree black belt in Okinawan Shorin Ryu and a certified C.O.B.R.A. Self Defense Systems instructor, Ken brings decades of training and teaching experience to helping people protect themselves.
His goal is straightforward: help people become more aware, better prepared and more capable of responding to real-world threats.
Ken was featured on the February 2017 cover of Self-Defense Professional, the official publication of C.O.B.R.A. Self-Defense.
EXPERIENCE ROOTED IN DECADES OF TRAINING
Ken began formal training in Isshin Ryu Karate under Gunnery Sergeant Donald F. Bohan at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. His early instructors also included Karl K. Hovey and Lee Paul.
He later studied Okinawan Shorin Ryu under respected instructors including Hanshi Tadashi Yamashita, 10th Dan and Hanshi Seifuku Nitta, 10th Dan. His background also includes black-belt rank in Okinawan Kobudo (weapons) and Goshin Jitsu (joint manipulation and pain compliance), along with tournament awards in kata and kumite and is recognized worldwide for his development of 2 person hands on training drills to develop and maintain competence in close quarter/quick response self defense scenarios.
His ranks and certifications include:
- 9th Dan, Hanshi — Okinawan Shorin Ryu, UMAA / Hanshi Seifuku Nitta
- 5th Dan — Yamashita International Shorin Ryu, Hanshi Tadashi Yamashita
- Certified Instructor — C.O.B.R.A. Self Defense Systems
RECOGNIZED ACHIEVEMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
- World Karate Union Hall of Fame: Martial Arts Achievement Award 2001
- Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame: Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008
- Universal Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame: Golden Lifetime Achievement Award, 2009
- World Karate Union Hall of Fame: Platinum Lifetime Achievement Award 2026
The City of Virginia Beach also named Ken Volunteer of the Year for his work co-developing and organizing a volunteer martial arts program for at-risk children. He coordinated the annual Naihanchi Cup Karate Tournament to benefit those children; this commitment to community safety remains central to his teaching.
Ken has also worked to raise awareness of missing and exploited children, including developing the first martial arts website that linked visitors directly to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Beyond martial arts, Ken is a NAUI-certified scuba instructor. He shares his interests in water sports and martial arts with his two sons, Matthew and Ryan.
PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR REAL PEOPLE
Traditional martial arts can be a rewarding lifelong pursuit. Someone seeking personal-safety training may have a more immediate goal: knowing how to recognize danger, make decisions under pressure and take action to protect themselves their associates and their loved ones.
That goal shapes Ken’s approach to C.O.B.R.A. training. Instruction considers the participant’s age, size, physical abilities, surroundings and concerns.
The goal isn’t to make everyone a martial artist. The goal is to help people become safer and better prepared.
LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR TRAINING GOALS
Whether you’re seeking training for yourself, your family, your employees or an organization, Ken can help you identify a program suited to your needs.