Lee Wedlake
10th Degree Black Belt
Senior Master of the Arts
Founder of Progressive Kenpo Systems
In 1967, Lee Wedlake commenced his judo training at the Shindo Kan school in Chicago, Illinois, under the guidance of Blaise Joseph Zorich. Through dedication, he attained the rank of Brown belt.
In November 1972, he transitioned to Chinese Kenpo at a school in Evergreen Park, Illinois. However, he left the school as a Brown belt.
On June 2, 1975, Mr. Wedlake was promoted to the first-degree Black Belt by Michael John Sanders, a Kenpo 5th Dan from Sterling, Illinois. Mr. Sanders subsequently promoted him to the second-degree Black Belt in 1978.
Following the passing of Senator Sanders in July 1979, Mr. Wedlake sought guidance from “The Father of American Karate,” Ed Parker, in Pasadena, California. He commenced training under both the Senior Founding Grandmaster (SFGM) Ed Parker and Frank Trejo, and was promoted to third degree in 1981.
In 1982, Mr. Wedlake was introduced to Richard “Huk” Planas at the International Karate Championships. The SFGM, Mr. Trejo, Mr. Planas, and Joe Palanzo collectively promoted him to fifth degree in September 1986.
The SFGM further elevated Mr. Wedlake’s rank to sixth degree on November 19, 1990, approximately one month prior to his passing.
Mr. Trejo and Mr. Planas promoted Mr. Wedlake’s to seventh degree on June 27, 1993.
In October 1998, during the annual Kenpo Camp in Fort Myers, Mr. Planas promoted him to eighth degree.
In 2002, Mr. Wedlake and Mr. Planas mutually parted ways.
In October 2006, Mr. Wedlake was recognized with the rank of 9th degree by Kenpo seniors and peers.
In December 2018, the American Institute of Kenpo’s winter training cam and annual awards banquet honored Mr. Wedlake with the rank of 10th degree by Kenpo seniors and peers, including Stephen LaBounty, Bob White, and John Sepulveda.
Mr. Wedlake has authored and published many books on Kenpo, including “Kenpo Karate 101,” “Further Insights into Kenpo,” “Kenpo Karate 201,” “Kenpo Karate 301,” “Kenpo Karate 401,” “Kenpo Karate 501,” “Kenpo Karate 601,” and his work on the SFGM entitled “Lessons with Ed Parker.”
Continuing his notable publishing endeavors, in 2015, Mr. Wedlake collaborated with Blue Snake Books to release “The Kenpo Karate Compendium.”
In addition to his extensive literary works, he has authored numerous articles published in prestigious martial arts publications, including the Journal of Asian Martial Arts and the Mensa Bulletin, as well as aviation magazines.
Mr. Wedlake has developed an online Vimeo series that comprises his instructional materials and numerous pertinent videos. (Please refer to the Kenpo 101/201/302/401/Instructing links on this page.)
Mr. Wedlake served as the representative of the SFGM in the Midwest for many years and was a board examiner for the SFGM’s Association. He was the US representative for Jeff Speakman’s AKKS, a member of the board of the Worldwide Kenpo Karate Association (WKKA), and served as the Illinois State Representative for the American Karate Association (AKA). He is also a member of the board of directors of the World Registry of Black Belts, Organizations, and Federations (WRBBOF).
In the 1990s, while residing in Florida, Mr. Wedlake co-founded the Chinese Karate Federation with Sean Kelley. Today, Mr. Wedlake serves as the senior instructor of the Progressive Kenpo Systems group, established in the late 1990s, with schools worldwide.
In January 2009, he was recognized as a Shihan “Chief Grandmaster Instructor” by Shidokan International’s 10th degree, Richie Bernard. Additionally, he holds instructor certification in Russian Systema under Vladimir Vasiliev and has been teaching Yang tai chi since the early 1990s.
~ Last Updated 3/3/2025