John Sepulveda

10th Degree Black Belt

Senior Master of the Arts

Founder of the Advanced Kenpo Training System™

With more than 50 years deeply immersed in American Kenpo, Senior Master John Sepulveda stands as one of the most respected figures in the art. He was one of the few direct students of Senior Founding Grandmaster Ed Parker before his passing — a rare and exceptional honor.

Mr. Sepulveda is prominently featured in Tom Bleecker’s acclaimed books The Journey and The International Journey, as well as Michael Miller’s Kenpo Perspectives: The Diversity of American Kenpo. These inclusions highlight his significant place in modern Kenpo history.

A highly successful competitor, he excelled in numerous Open, National, and International tournaments. His students have followed in his footsteps, earning strong reputations for their speed, explosive power, and outstanding character. Many have achieved success at the highest levels of competition. Mr. Sepulveda himself has appeared on television and in national and international martial arts magazines, and he has authored numerous insightful articles on the art.

He is the founder of the Advanced Kenpo Training System™ (AKTS), an organization that includes member schools across the United States. He is also proudly affiliated with the European Kenpo Karate Association, founded by Ed Downey.
 

A founding member of the prestigious Senior Council — which brings together some of the world’s most esteemed Kenpo practitioners — Mr. Sepulveda has received many prestigious honors for his dedication to the art, including:

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• California Karate League’s “Official of the Year Award”

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• Associated Teachers Association of the Martial Artists (ATAMA) “Hall of Fame Award”

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• Charter Member, Kenpo Hall of Fame (2007)

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• World Martial Arts Masters Association Hall of Fame (2008)

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• World Master’s Hall of Fame (2009)

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• Master’s Hall of Fame (2015)

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• Mike Stone Leadership Award (2015)

Today, Senior Master Sepulveda’s influence reaches across more than 50 affiliated schools in the United States, Europe, South America, and Mexico.

~ Last Updated 5/21/2026