Sensei Ken Atchison
3rd Degree Black Belt (saN-Dan)

Atchison was born October 6, 1958 in Ilion, New York. He is the father of two children, both of
whom trained with Hanshi Wendell.  He was introduced to martial arts at the age of 10, in 1969 by
a neighbor who studied Hapkido at Fort Dietrich, Maryland.  Unfortunately, his family moved
constantly and training was interrupted until 1991, when he was introduced to Hanshi Wendell.  
His son Aaron had seen Hanshi’s Bushido Karate Club do a demonstration at his summer camp and
asked to join.  After meeting and seeing Hanshi demonstrate some basic techniques Atchison was
sure that this was an instructor who had knowledge that went beyond the norm.  He has diligently
pursued the teachings of Hanshi and in October of 1999 received his Sho-Dan. He also began
Aikido under Sensei Ralph Singer in 2000. He was also inducted into the E.U.S.A.I.M.A.A. Hall of
Fame, honored as the Man of  the Year 2001 and recieved the Pinnacle Award in 2002. He served on
the IMAA rules committee and is the Broward rep for the MAF, as well as serving on several
committees also.  In 2003 Atchison became the State Representative for the Martial Arts
Foundation. He was also given his Ni-Dan by Hanshi Wendell. In 2004 he received his teaching
certificate in the Inayan Systems of Eskrima, Kadena de Mano under Suro Jason Inay and Soke Marty
Ferrick, and is currently ranked a Green sash in the Inayan System. In 2006 he was presented an
award at the Gold Coast Hall of Fame banquet.  Sensei Atchison has 2 children Jessica and
Aaron, Aaron is currently serving in Iraq in the 82nd Airborne. Aaron and his wife Melanie gave
birth to a beautiful daughter Guiliana Isabella Atchison Feb. 10, 2007. Jessica and her husband Jim
gave birth to a beautiful daughter Kaylin Marie Diasio Oct. 13, 2007. In 2008 he received his
San-dan in mushin goju ryu.

"I urge all students to be patient and open to experiences while training.  In my opinion, the most
common reasons students quit are, they become impatient for results and get frustrated with the
tedium of repeating basic technique over and over again.  Just be aware that all of us have been
there and we all still continue to practice the basics and will forever.  Good luck to you all and
may your time in the martial arts be as rewarding for you as it has been for me."

A Few Words About Hanshi Wendell
As one of the many students of Hanshi Wendell, I can certainly testify to his overall ability and
character.  I can wholeheartedly say that they are few that can demonstrate their beliefs of
martial arts as honestly and  effectively as Hanshi Wendell.  I started later in life than most of
his students and therefore have much less physical equipment for him to work with. So many
classes I would spend trying to learn the most basic techniques, ones that most beginners seem
able to do well in a few weeks.  Luckily for me Hanshi took that as a challenge.  I was also
fortunate, because at that time I was his primary student, for nearly four years, others they would
come and go, but I always stayed and to his credit he never stopped teaching.  

During this period Hanshi began a journey and started exploring not only his martial arts but his
meditation as well.  I can almost remember the day when his philosophy on both started  to
intersect and grow together.  He continues on that path today. Even greater than the role of
teacher has been that of friend.  It was during some of the most trying times of my life that I found
out how loyal Hanshi is to his students and friends.  I am sure that as you progress in the art you
will find the same for yourselves.

Kenneth Atchison
Instructor, Mushin Goju Ryu
3rd Degree Black Belt
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GUILIANA       &              KAYLIN
MY GRANDDAUGHTERS