Ed Parker

Senior Grandmaster

American grandmaster and founder of modern American Kenpo Karate.

Quick Facts

Date of Birth3/19/1931

Date of Death12/15/1990

Era20th century

Country of OriginUSA (Hawaii)

Rank / Title10th Dan Kenpo Karate

Active Years1950–1990

Biography

Edmund Kealoha Parker developed American Kenpo Karate by adapting traditional Hawaiian and Chinese systems for modern street self-defense, establishing Long Beach International Championships.

Associated Martial Arts

Kenpo KarateFounder→

Ed Parker's American system from the 1950s. It builds not on one strong strike but on a rapid series of hand contacts from a higher, mobile stance.