PLIMSHOF Inductee #9
Professor Bill Solano
SokeGrand Master 10th Dan. Was born in 1942 in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. He lived and was raised in the U.S. since the age of 5. His first experience in the martial arts was in 1958 in New York City in the art of Jujutsu. In 1969 he started practicing Kung Fu (Wing Chun) in lower Manhattan, N.Y. (China Town). At the end of the year (1969) he moved to Puerto Rico. In 1970 he started practicing a Japanese Karate system (Garyu Rico Do) with Master Gilberto Rodriguez, Soke. In 1972 he return back to the U.S. to N.Y. for six months in which he return to the practice of Wing Chun Kung Fu with Sifu Chow Chun in downtown Manhattan an then in the same year decided to move to Daytona Beach, Florida where he started practicing Yoshukai Karate.
At the end of 1975 he return to Puerto Rico. He establish his first Dojo in the garage of his home. He tested and got his Shodan (1st Dan) on July 4, 1977 at the Yoshukai yearly camp in St. Leo College, Tampa Florida. His Nidan on July 1978 and Sandan on February 1980. He represented the Yoshukai Karate style until 1981. During those years he promoted a few of his students to Shodan level. On December 1981 he decided to establish his own organization. With the support of Grand Master Peter Urban better known as the Father of American Karate and the College of Dans, he was promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt on December 29th, 1981 this promotion took place at GM Urban's home in New York. On August 23, 1982 he was promoted by GM Urban to 6 Degree Black Belt and founder of his own system and organization known as the Yoshu Ryu Karate-Do.
On January of 1986 upon his return from Okinawa, Japan he was promoted by GM Urban to the Judan (10th Dan), and founder of the Yoshu Ryu International. Grand Master Urban was living in Puerto Rico during 1985 to 1987. A few martial artists from Puerto Rico were recognize and promoted to 10th Dan during 1986-87. The reason Mr. Solano did not use the 10th Dan giving by GM Urban was because at that time he was representing an okinawan master.
Throughout his dedication and research of the traditional Okinawan Martial Arts he developed a great desire to learn a traditional Okinawan system. In 1985 he travel to Okinawa the birth place of Karate where he had the honor to meet and practice with Grand Master Fusei Kise of the Kenshinkan Karate system and later with Grand Master Yuichi Kuda of the Matsumura Kenpo Karate and Kobudo style.
On January 1986, upon his return from Okinawa Mr. Solano was representing Grand Master Fusei Kise. In June, 1988 Grand Master Fusei Kise visited Puerto Rico in which he tested and promoted Mr. Solano to the grade of Nanadan (7th Dan) in Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate & Kobudo.
In 1992, Mr. Solano was also tested and promoted to 7th Dan (Nanadan), in Okinawan Shorin Ryu Matsumura Kenpo Karate & Kobudo by Grand Master Yuichi Kuda of Okinawa and Hanshi George W. Alexander the USA representative for the Matsumura Kenpo Karate & Kobudo at that time.
In 1994 Mr. Solano had establish his own organization, the Okinawan Shorin Ryu Kokusai Kempo Karate Do & Kobudo Federation, Inc. an non profit organization dedicated to the preservation and teaching of the Traditional Okinawan Martial Arts (Kenpo Karate & Kobudo). In 1994 Mr. Solano was promoted to 8th Dan by Dr. Bernie Weiss, Hanshi and the American Teachers Association of Martial Arts (ATAMA) and in 1997 he was also promoted to 8th Dan by Hanshi Weiss, and the ISOK organization. Dr. Weiss was the co-founder and was president of this two organization at that time.
On April, 2000 Mr. Solano was recognized and certify as Hanshi, 10th Dan by the International Matsumura Seito Society and its Supreme Grand Master Tom Hunnicutt, Soke and Supreme Grand Master Dave Shelton, Soke/Kaicho. Hanshi Bill Solano is very proud and honor to have the support and recognition from Grand Master Tom Hunnicutt, Soke and Hanshi Dave Shelton, Soke/Kaicho and the International Matsumura Seito Society in which he has become lifetime Member. On September 2001 Hanshi Solano was recognize by and was also elected President of the Latin America Martial Arts Grandmaster & Soke Council, Inc. a non profit organization dedicated to the recognition and unification of all Martial Artist that are Founders and Grandmasters of their own independent system, school or organization.
Hanshi Bill Solano has been Inducted into the following Halls of Fame: "International Karate Hall of Fame", "Eastern USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame", "The Florida Brotherhood Martial Arts Hall of Fame" and the "Latin-American Martial Arts Hall of Fame". He was nominated as "Grand Master of the year by the "USA Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame". On June 9th, 2001 he was inducted into the World Wide Martial arts Hall of Fame as Grand Master of the Year.
On September 1st, 2001 Hanshi Solano was accepted and certify as a lifetime member and was also certify as Hanshi 10th Dan by Supreme Grand Master William A. Rankin, Soke and the United State Martial Artist Association. On September 4th, 2001 he was also accepted as a lifetime member by the World Budo Alliance in which he was also certify as Hanshi, 10th Dan by the WBA Grading Board.
As a competitor Mr. Solano distinguished himself during the 80's winning various awards in Kata, Kobudo and Kumite Championships.
At the present he is better known as an excellent Teacher, Seminarist, Counselor and Tournament Promoter.
Hanshi Bill Solano is a lifetime member of the following international organization:
- International Matsumura Seito Society
- United States Martial Artist Association
- World Budo Alliance
- Latin America Martial Arts Grandmaster & Soke Council, Inc.
Hanshi Bill Solano is the Founder and President of the following organization:
- Okinawan Shorin Ryu Kokusai Kempo-Karate-Do & Kobudo Federation, Inc.
- Federación Puertorriqueña de Kempo Kenpo (FE.PU.KEN.), Inc.
- Puerto Rico International Martial Arts Sports Committee, Inc. (PRIMASC)
- Puerto Rico International Black Belt Karate Hall of Fame
- Latin-American Martial Arts Hall of Fame
- International Black Belt Society
- Latin America Martial Arts Grandmaster & Soke Council, Inc
- Ki-Buki-Tai Ryu Kobu-Jutsu
The Okinawan Shorin Ryu Kokusai Hombu Dojo is located in Puerto Rico With branches in the following place:
-Centro Comunal Residencial Covadonga,Trujillo Alto
- Area Recreativa de la picina de Urb. Round Hill,Trujillo .Alto
- Centro Comunal Venus Gardens Sur, Rio Piedras
- Centro Comunal Villa Lomas Verde Apts. Cupey
- Centro Comunal Toa Alta Heights #2, Toa Alta
- Centro Comunal Urb. Santa Ana , Vega Alta
- Centro Comunal Bda. Olimpo, Guayama
- Also with others branch in the USA , Dominican Republic and Panama.
This organization is credited by the Department of Sport and Recreation of P.R.
Hanshi Solano is available for seminars, clinics and chats relating to the Okinawan Martial ArtsPuerto Rican Kempo-Kenpo Federation (FE.PU.KEN.), Inc. & P.R.I.M.A.S.C.
For more information please contact: Hanshi Bill Solano P.O. BOX 646ST. JUST, PR 00978
TEL: (787)758-7941 / (787)748-5108
