History of Kenpo International | Kenpo International

Kenpo International is recognized as one of the largest Kenpo Karate organizations globally, operating in over 20 countries across four continents. The organization is committed to providing standardized, high-quality American Kenpo Karate training worldwide and establishing international criteria for rank advancement. Kenpo International (KI) traces its origins to the American Kenpo Karate system developed by Senior Grandmaster Edmund K. Parker, whose legacy the organization upholds internationally. Established as a non-profit entity in 2015, Kenpo International, Ltd. (KI) was co-founded by Grandmasters Gilbert Velez (President), Doreen DiRienzo (Vice President), and Norman Sandler.

Kenpo International Founders

Lineage

The founders of Kenpo International maintain direct connections to the originator of American Kenpo. Grandmaster Gilbert Velez personally trained with Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker for over 17 years and holds the distinction of being the only Black Belt recipient of 1st through 9th Degree IKKA Certificates from Grandmaster Parker and Leilani Parker. Grandmasters Doreen DiRienzo and Norman Sandler also received direct instruction from Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker.

Grandmaster: Gilbert Velez

President & Co-Founder

International Karate Championships (IKCs)

Kenpo International continues to uphold the tradition of the International Karate Championships, an event inaugurated in 1964 in Long Beach, California, by Grandmaster Edmund K. Parker. KI has formally sanctioned IKC events internationally, including locations such as the Channel Islands, Greece, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Macedonia, Mexico, Chile, and several cities within the United States, including Las Vegas, Long Beach, New York, and Boston, maintaining this legacy for the past 63 years.

IKC History Timeline

Chronological host cities of the International Karate Championships.