Beginning his martial arts journey at the age of 4, Kaiso Bret Gordon has studied and attained Dan ranking in numerous martial arts disciplines. In 2007, with the opening of Trio Martial Arts Academy in Central Florida, Gordon sensei founded the system of San Budo as a collection of his previous training. The art he taught, however, was only in its beginning phase and barely resembled the complete system taught today. As Gordon sensei grew in his personal experiences, his style began to evolve by incorporating and adapting new concepts from other systems.
In 2012, Gordon sensei appeared in front of a panel of high ranking representatives from the All Japan Karate-Do Federation (through the Ryu-Sakura-Do Karate Federation) to have his style of San Budo officially recognized as an independent style of martial arts. Upon completion of his examination, Gordon sensei was awarded a probationary Founder’s license and system recognition certification from both the AJKF and RSDKF with the understanding that the system would continue to evolve over time. With this recognition, Kaiso decided to change the name of his system to San Budo Sogo Bugei to emphasize the well-rounded and complete training experience it provides. Sogo Bugei translates as "complete martial science," a term he felt best described his system's scientific approach to combat.
In 2012, Gordon sensei appeared in front of a panel of high ranking representatives from the All Japan Karate-Do Federation (through the Ryu-Sakura-Do Karate Federation) to have his style of San Budo officially recognized as an independent style of martial arts. Upon completion of his examination, Gordon sensei was awarded a probationary Founder’s license and system recognition certification from both the AJKF and RSDKF with the understanding that the system would continue to evolve over time. With this recognition, Kaiso decided to change the name of his system to San Budo Sogo Bugei to emphasize the well-rounded and complete training experience it provides. Sogo Bugei translates as "complete martial science," a term he felt best described his system's scientific approach to combat.
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Outside of San Budo Sogo Bugei, Gordon sensei primarily teaches two other martial arts systems: American Yoshinkan and Satori Ryu Kokusai Goju Kai, both of which he studied directly under Kaiso Steven Hatfield. He earned Menkyo Kaiden (License of Full Transmission) in American Yoshinkan Aiki Jujutsu and Kenjutsu in 2013 and 2016, respectively. These arts were fully inherited by Kaiso on July 24, 2019 (Satori Ryu Kokusai Goju Kai) and January 12, 2020 (American Yoshinkan Aiki Jujutsu), and Kaiso assumed the position of Headmaster of both arts. When receiving his Sokeship of American Yoshinkan, Gordon sensei was also awarded a traditional certification scroll from the AJKF to signify that San Budo Sogo Bugei was a fully licensed and recognized independent style of martial arts directly from Japan (pictured right).
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Inheriting American Yoshinkan from Kaiso Hatfield
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Strengthening his connection to Japan, on February 28, 2021 Gordon sensei was recognized by the All Japan Budo Association with the rank of 6th Dan in Aiki Budo as well as the honorific title of Shihan. As of this writing, he is the youngest person in the organization's history to be awarded this level of license. The AJBA is a multi-style organization dedicated to the promotion of Japanese martial arts, and is overseen in Japan by Hideharu Ishii and internationally by Mladen Burazerovic.
Kaiso Bret Gordon is also a Certified Defensive Tactics and Combatives Instructor through the Law Enforcement Tactical Training Institute. He's one of only a handful of instructors in the State of Florida to be certified by LETTI. Outside of the dojo, he works in private security and Executive Protection. Because of his professional occupation, he also gets routine background checks each time he renews his license. He has served on the security detail for numerous corporate executives and celebrities. Because of his real-world experience, Gordon sensei is fully committed to providing the most realistic and effective self defense training methods available.
As a competitor, Gordon sensei has competed on the sport karate circuits as both a Point Fighter and Kickboxer. Having been scouted by the US Martial Arts Team, he was invited to join and represent the USA at the 2010 World Martial Arts Games where he won three World Championship Titles: Point Fighting, Kickboxing and Team Fighting. The World Martial Arts Games is sanctioned by TAFISA, the leading "Sport for All" organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee. As open sport karate is not an official Olympic sport, this is the equivalent of Olympic level competition.
Foundership Exam Testing Panel
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Guarding Director Rian Johnson
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American Yoshinkan Menkyo Kaiden
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Gordon sensei began his journey in the grappling arts in 2007 in Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Gregg Thompson. After a year, he moved on to study under Arnaldo Lugo until 2010. It was then that he had his first exposure to Judo and studied briefly under Laurence Kingston before training with and earning rank in Kojido (a Judo offshoot) under headmaster Dell Sharpe. In 2017, he began formally studying with Hatfield sensei in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, although both had been part of what they'd worked since the beginning of their relationship. He earned his shodan in Judo a year later, and his 2nd Dan in 2020. His rank was recognized by the US Traditional Kodokan Judo Association, and he remains an active member of the USATKJ to this day. Continuing his training in sport BJJ, Gordon sensei also received his Blue Belt from Steven Hatfield, under the authority of Paul Rehbergar, in 2021. In 2022, Gordon sensei became affiliated with Reylson Gracie and was recognized as a Black Belt in the Gracie Self Defense System due to his experience in Japanese Jujutsu and Judo, and the close relationship these arts have with traditional Gracie Jiu Jitsu as taught by founder Carlos Gracie, Sr., and carried on by Reylson.
In addition to his martial arts credentials, Gordon sensei is CPR and First Aid Certified, and has taken numerous courses for continued education to ensure our training environment remains safe with the latest, up-to-date information available. These certifications include:
Stop The Bleed
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CDC Concussion Awareness
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SafeSport
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COVID Safe
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