MKA Karate

Staff

Charles Terry, M.D., 10th Dan, Chief Instructor

Chas Terry started studying Tang Soo Do with Young H. Kwon, a student of Jae C. Shin, in 1974 at age 6. On December 18, 1977, Chas earned his first Black Belt. After achieving this goal, the focus of his training changed to include more work with the bo and nunchaku. Chas started training in Okinawan Kempo, as a white belt, in 1979. On April 8, 1983, he earned a First Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Kempo under Jonathan Shapero.

In the fall of 1986, Sensei Terry founded the University of Pennsylvania Ryukyu Kempo Club. On September 1, 1987, Chas earned his Second Dan Black Belt.

In 1988, Sensei Terry picked up his first pair of Arnis Sticks. He began incorporating Modern Arnis and Small-Circle Jujitsu into his teaching at Penn. Sensei Terry earned his Third Degree Black Belt on December 9, 1989. Sensei Terry earned his Black Belt in Modern Arnis directly under Grandmaster Remy Presas on July 28, 1991.

In medical school, Sensei Terry began to incorporate aspects of his medical knowledge into his martial arts teaching. Throughout medical school he taught self-defense classes at Hahnemann University which focused on easy-to-learn, practical techniques. Chas Terry earned his Fourth Degree Black Belt on December 9, 1992.

On June 3, 1994, Chas graduated from Medical School. Shortly after, in October of 1994, Dr. Terry sponsored the first Weekend with the Masters in Philadelphia, PA. This seminar featured Grandmasters George Dillman, Remy Presas, and Wally Jay. On October 21, 1995, he sponsored the second Weekend with the Masters at the Philadelphia airport. Following the seminar, he was promoted to Fifth Degree Black Belt by a board of grandmasters including: George Dillman, Leo Fong, Wally Jay, and Remy Presas. One week later Dr. Terry was inducted into the Martial Arts Gallery of Fame.

Dr. Terry ran the University of Pennsylvania Ryukyu Kempo Club for more than a decade. The club was featured on the front page of the Daily Pennsylvanian in November, 1996. He has been featured in Black Belt Magazine and on the television show, Good Day Philadelphia.

Dr. Terry was promoted to the rank of 6th Degree Black Belt in 2000. In 2004, Dr. Terry was promoted to the level of 7th Degree Black Belt (Grandmaster). In 2007, Dr. Terry earned the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt in Small-circle Jujitsu. On June 7, 2009, he earned the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt in Small-circle Jujitsu. On October 9, 2010 he was promoted to the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt in Ryukyu Kempo. In 2012 he was promoted to the Rank of 5th Degree Black Belt in Wei Kuen Do and 3rd Degree Black Belt in Small Circle Jujitsu. On June 22, 2013 he was promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt in Modern Arnis. In 2014 he was promoted to the rank of 7th Degree Black Belt in Wei Kuen Do. On May 1st, 2014, he was promoted to the rank of 9th Dan in Ryukyu Kempo. On October 4th, 2015 he was promoted to 4th Dan in Small Circle Jujitsu. June 2016 was another milestone as GM Leo Fong visited MKA Karate and taught classes that day along with two of his top students. This was followed by Black Belt Grading in Wei Kuen Do. Nineteen of our students were graded to levels of Black Belt and Sensei Terry was promoted to 9th Degree in Wei Kuen Do. This was followed by a great Modern Arnis Camp at Villanova June 17 & 18. Dr. Terry has been named a trustee of the Remy Presas Modern Arnis Hall of Fame Foundation. At that year's camp, he was promoted to the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt in Modern Arnis. On October 1st, 2017 he was promoted to the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt in Small-circle Jujitsu. In June, 2019, Dr. Terry was promoted to the rank of 6th Degree Black Belt in Modern Arnis. In 2019, Professor George Dillman was featured at a special international gathering in Michigan during which several of his top Black Belts (including Sensei Terry) were promoted to the level of 10th Degree Black Belt. On January 9, 2021 he was promoted to the rank of 6th degree Black Belt in Small Circle Jujitsu.

In 2004, Dr. Terry was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Physician Contributor of the Year. In 2005, Dr. Terry was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Master of the Year. In April of 2005, he was interviewed as a Martial Arts & Medical specialist for a National Geographic television special. In 2013 he was inducted into the Modern Arnis Hall of Fame.

Dr. Terry married Trish Quarmby in 2000. Trish now works as the Business Manager of MKA Karate. They have two energetic children, Quinn and Nicholas who have both earned Black Belts.

Dr. Terry is the owner and Chief Instructor of MKA Karate. He teaches classes for all levels of experience and all age groups. He also continues to sponsor seminars bringing the world's best martial artists to the Philadelphia area each year.


Ryukyu Kempo Kanji
151 S. State Rd., Springfield, Pennsylvania, USA | (610) 394-3040