About Us
Our Story
We are a traditional martial arts school that teaches
Okinawan Shuri-ryu Karatedo along with Kobudo (Okinawan weapons).
Our school features an instructional staff of five with more than 120 years of combined experience in the martial arts. Our staff includes both males as well as one female teacher. Two of our instructors are in law enforcement while another is a medical doctor; another is a high school teacher who is also a former long-time journalist.
Shuri-ryu is a traditional karate system founded by Grandmaster Robert A. Trias, who opened the first documented karate school in America in 1946 in Phoenix, Ariz. Among Mr. Trias’ students was Hanshi Ridgely Abele, who would go on to become a chief instructor and ninth-degree black belt before passing away in 2009. All of our instructors are direct students of Mr. Abele.
Today, our school operates within the framework of the International Shuriryu Association, which is overseen by the head of the style, O’Sensei Robert Bowles, in Fort Wayne, Ind.
We are at 821-C East Main Street in Lexington, S.C., (on the left just before the Old Mill as you head into the city) where we share a dojo with the Academy of Shotokan Karate.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email at … midlandsmartialarts@gmail.com – or come by the school to talk with our staff or for a free lesson. We look forward to seeing you.
Ridgely Abele
- Aug 9, 1950 - Dec 10, 2009
- 9th dan, Shuri-Ryu Karatedo
- 7th dan, Shuri-Te Ju-Jutsu
- 7th dan, World Karatedo Federation
- 7th Dan, US Ju-Jitsu Federation
- Chief Instructor Shuri-Ryu Karatedo
- Animal Form: Leopard
Our Team
Rick Scoppe
- Assistant Chief Instructor Shuri-Ryu Karatedo
- Shihan, Shuri-Ryu Karatedo
- Renshi, Shuri-Ryu Kobudo
- 7th Dan, Shuri-Ryu Karatedo
- 1st Dan, Goju-Ryu
- Animal Form: Dragon
Thomas Seastrunk
- 5th Dan, Shuri-Ryu Karatedo
- Taichi, Shuri-Ryu Kubudo
- 2nd Dan, Shintoyoshin-Ryu
- Animal form: Tiger
Charlotte Bryant
- 4th Dan, Shuri-Ryu Karatedo
- Taichi, Shuri-Ryu Kubudo