Profile Of Cornell Watson, Shihan

A Japanese Goju-Ryu Federation certified instructor, Cornell Watson has over 35 years of teaching experience and is a Kyoshi grade (7th degree) black belt. He began his ascension into the world of Goju-Ryu karate as a dare from friends in 1961 and enrolled at a Goju-Ryu Dojo run by the eldest son of Master Gogen Yamaguchi, founder of Japanese Goju-Ryu. 

Shihan Gosei Yamaguchi found a promising student in Cornell. The Shihan demand of the best his students had to offer, fostered a sense of dedication in the physical, mental, and spiritual rigors of Goju-Ryu within his new pupil. Cornell’s efforts were rewarded with the rank of Sho-Dan, black belt first degree, after 14 months of continuous training. . In 1970, Cornell traveled to Japan with the U. S. Karate Team as a competitor in the first World Karate Championship. He returned home undefeated. 

Mr. Watson returned to Japan in 1973, spending the next two years studying with Grand Master Gogen Yamaguchi, and living at Goju-Ryu’s main Butokan, in Tokyo. Upon returning to the U. S. in 1975, Cornell was elevated to fourth degree black belt, and given the status of “professional,” in addition to receiving his Renshi certificate. . 

Shihan Watson was summoned to Japan in August 1996, to participate in a promotional tournament for the rank of “Kyoshi” or “Wizard,” a seventh degree black belt symbolized by a red band running the length of a black belt. A Kyoshi rank in Goju-Ryu is the equivalent of completing a Doctorate degree. Shihan Watson received his promotion to 7th Dan and Kyoshi certificate in May 1997. Such rank is rarely achieved in the lifetime of a Goju-Ryu Karateka.

Cornell Watson is a highly sought-out instructor and is open to accepting new students and guiding them in their pursuit to enhance their knowledge of Goju Ryu