Lee Wedlake

10th Degree Black Belt

Senior Master of the Arts

Founder of Progressive Kenpo Systems

​Senior Master Lee Wedlake’s remarkable journey in the martial arts spans more than five decades of dedication, continuous learning, and leadership.

He began his training in 1967 studying Judo at the Shindo Kan school in Chicago under Blaise Joseph Zorich, eventually earning his Brown Belt. In November 1972, he transitioned to Chinese Kenpo in Evergreen Park, Illinois. On June 2, 1975, he was promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt by Michael John Sanders (5th Dan) in Sterling, Illinois, followed by his 2nd Degree in 1978.

After the passing of Mr.  Sanders in July 1979, Mr. Wedlake sought out the very source of the art. He traveled to Pasadena, California, to train directly under Senior Founding Grandmaster Ed Parker and Frank Trejo. He was promoted to 3rd Degree in 1981. In 1982, he was introduced to Richard “Huk” Planas at the International Karate Championships. In September 1986, the SFGM, Mr. Trejo, Mr. Planas, and Joe Palanzo promoted him to 5th Degree.

Ed Parker personally promoted him to 6th Degree on November 19, 1990 — just one month before the Grandmaster’s passing. Mr. Trejo and Mr. Planas promoted him to 7th Degree in 1993. In October 1998, Mr. Planas promoted him to 8th Degree at the annual Kenpo Camp in Fort Myers. In October 2006, Kenpo seniors and peers awarded him 9th Degree. Finally, in December 2018 at the American Institute of Kenpo’s Winter Training Camp and Awards Banquet, he was honored with the rank of 10th Degree Black Belt by a distinguished group including Stephen LaBounty, Bob White, and John Sepulveda.

A prolific author and educator, Mr. Wedlake has written and published many influential books, including the Kenpo Karate 101 through 601 series, Further Insights into Kenpo, and his tribute to Ed Parker titled Lessons with Ed Parker. In 2015, he collaborated with Blue Snake Books to release the acclaimed The Kenpo Karate Compendium. He has also written numerous articles for prestigious publications such as the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, the Mensa Bulletin, and various aviation magazines.

He created a comprehensive online Vimeo instructional series covering his complete curriculum (see Kenpo 101/201/301/401/Instructing links).

Mr. Wedlake served for many years as the Senior Founding Grandmaster’s Midwest Representative and as a board examiner for the Ed Parker Kenpo Association. He has held numerous leadership roles, including US Representative for Jeff Speakman’s AKKS, board member of the Worldwide Kenpo Karate Association (WKKA), Illinois State Representative for the American Karate Association (AKA), and board member of the World Registry of Black Belts, Organizations, and Federations (WRBBOF).

In the 1990s, while living in Florida, he co-founded the Chinese Karate Federation with Sean Kelley. Today, he serves as the senior instructor of the Progressive Kenpo Systems group, with affiliated schools around the world.

In January 2009, he was awarded the title of Shihan – Chief Grandmaster Instructor by Shidokan International. He also holds instructor certification in Russian Systema under Vladimir Vasiliev and has taught Yang Tai Chi since the early 1990s.

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~ Last Updated 5/21/2026