Manny Saavedra is the founder of the World Sansei Goju-Ryu
Karate Organization. Mr. Saavedra began his Martial Arts training in 1966, and
continued studying in Chinatown, New York City under the instruction of
Grandmaster Peter Urban in what later became one of the most famous martial arts
academies in the United States (Chinatown Dojo).
In 1970 he opened his first school of karate in New York City, where he
continued to study and develop his teaching and practical skills. In 1975 Mr.
Saavedra moved to the state of Florida, at which time he brought with him the
ideas of the Sansei Goju-Ryu Organization. In 1980 the Organization was founded
and since then has grown to encompass schools in the U.S., Jamaica, Venezuela,
Spain, Israel, Germany, Chile, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Dominican Republic,
and Mexico.
Mr. Saavedra has been an instructor at the university level for the past 16
years in both Florida and New York. He has developed many new techniques and
ideas in the art of self defense and has expanded his method of training to
cover the present day American form of living, thinking, and training.
Additionally, Mr. Saavedra holds an honorary PhD. from the University of Canton
and has also written extensively about the art.
