Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate is a comprehensive, scientific and analytical system of self defense that consists of basics(stances, blocks, parries, punches, strikes, finger techniques, kicks, and foot manuevers), techniques(againsts grabs and tackles, pushes, punches, kicks, holds and hugs, locks and chokes, weapons, and multiple attackers), combinations of the above(sets and forms and freestyle[sparring] techniques), and the theories, concepts, and principles formulated by Senior Grand Master Ed Parker.
Students will test for the various ranks and become members of the I. K. K. A.(International Kenpo Karate Association).
Joseph Rebelo started in the art of Kenpo Karate in 1975, under Mr.Fred "Ed" E. Hosmer. He(Hosmer) was the Chief Instructor at the Fairhaven Branch of United Studios of Self Defense[NOTE:not to be confused with Charles"Charlie" Mattera's later chain of the same name]. He,being a ignorant lad of 14 years old,erroniously thought that the system he was studying was close to Mr. Parker's system. He later found out that the "style" that was taught at USSD was a decended from karazenpo {for more info:see our "hawaiian kenpo" history page..coming soon!}
Mr. Rebelo's first meeting with Mr. Parker was at a karate tournament in New England in 1983. Mr. Rebelo presented Mr. Parker with two books to autograph. A shocked expression crossed Mr. Parker's face when he saw that they were a Ed Parker Basic Booklet and a first edition hard cover of Kenpo Karate: law of the fist and the empty hand! Mr. Parker asked how he(Rebelo) had come in possession of the texts and took a photo with Mr. Rebelo.They also spoke of Mr. Leo Lacerte, Who had contacted Mr. Parker concerning the system, and had introduced Mr. Rebelo to American Kenpo.
So began Joe Rebelo's passion (and sometimes obsession) with Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate! Over the next seven years, Mr. Rebelo would travel all over New England to train with Mr. Parker whenever and where ever possible! He was also fortunate to train and work with such kenpo figures as Richard "Huk" Planas, Frank Trejo, Lee Wedlake, Joe Palanzo,and many others.Mr. Rebelo also trained in New England with Leo Lacerte,Tony Cogliandro,Steven White,and others in Mr. Parker's system.
Whenever Mr. Parker was in New England, Mr. Rebelo would always on several occasions during his seminars would act as Mr. Parker's "Kenpo Dummy", the person that Mr. Parker use to demonstrate techniques. It was a great source of honor and pride to be chosen and as the man said "To hear; is to doubt, to see; is to be deceived, but to FEEL; is to BELIEVE!".
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