Ralph Viggiano, Hanshi

Trained and taught under Grand Master Johnny Kuhl in New York City for 30 years.

1978-1985 Competition years:
“All American Open” at Madison Square Garden
“ Ying Yee Urban Cup Invitational”
“ Empire State Championships”

1980 - Present:
Tournament referee for New York area events:
Chief referee at the “Empire State Championships” 1985 - 1992
Chief Ring Coordinator at the “Garden States Games” 1988 - 2005
Chief Referee at the “Urban Cup Invitational” 1985 -
Others include: Playboy Invitational 1981; Ying Yee 1984 - 1986;
Big Apple Challenge 1984 - 1986; War of the Warriors 1985;
I.A.M.A. Nationals 25th year anniversary 1989
1st All Goju Ryu Invitational 25 years of kartate at John Jay College 1990
1982 Directed weekly class’es at the Ronkonkama, Long Island firehouse.
1985 presented “Johnny Kuhl Combat Karate” to the Kenbukan Goju-Ryu dojo in Plano, Texas.
1988 Gave a seminar with Florida’s Grand Master Bill Liquori of USA Goju Karate” in Texas.
1991 Opened and conducted class’es at “Dojo North” in the Bronx, New York.
1991 Performed a demo of “Johnny Kuhl Combat Karate” in London, England
Frequently performed demonstrations throughout the New York area with GM Johnny Kuhl.
Refereed tournaments, extensively over the years, along side of Grand Master Kuhl.
Press:
1980 / 1982 appeared in “Warriors Magazine”
1982 Cover shot on “Warriors”
1986 Cover shot on “official Karate’s” annual edition
1983 / 1985 “Who’s Who in Karate”
1987 “Who’a Who in American Martial Arts”
1988 & 1989 Appeared in “American Karate”

Hall of Fame:
1995 World Head of Family Soke Council
1997 Garden State Games
2003 - 2008 World Head of Family Soke Council
2005 Gold Coast, Florida
2006 Samurai Award yoshitsune Dojo
2007 - 2010 World Martial Arts League

During a ceremonial class, years before his demise, Soke Johnny Kuhl presented his red belt to Grand Master Viggiano.
This was done in case of his death, to allow for an uncontested transfer of his “Combat Karate” system.
Immediately, Peter Urban, Patriarch of USA Goju Karate, and The World Head of Family Soke Council
recognized Viggiano as Hanshi of “Combat Karate”.
Hanshi Viggiano donned that obi and proudly continues in the tradition of his Sensei.

Hanshi Viggiano trained and worked with Grandmaster Johnny Kuhl for 30 years,
developing in the Martial Arts Community as a friend to all systems, an unbiased referee, and a tenacious teacher.
Today he carries on in the tradition of his good friend and Sensei, Johnny Kuhl.