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A Message from IUKF President on Free Virtual Classes
A healthy hello to all our IUKF members, dojos, and Uechi-Ryu students. I thank you for your dedication to the advancement of Uechi-Ryu during these trying times and your commitment to a respectable organization where we can all be proud to wear an IUKF black belt.
As a supportive organization, the IUKF has been running an online workout for all our Uechi-Ryu communities for many months now. People from all over the world are gathering twice a week to perform and practice their katas to keep them fresh in our minds. This way, when this pandemic is over, we can all return to our respective dojos without missing a step.
The IUKF is here for all Uechi-Ryu practitioners, so there are absolutely no charges nor demands. We simply meet together online to enjoy each other’s company while staying healthy and maintaining our Uechi-Ryu training. Please contact me, and I will add you on to my list of people to send workout information.
Also, be informed, the IUKF Senior Board, in recognition of the financial difficulties we now face, has determined to return all dojo contributions. After we’ve made final assessments of which contributions are from dojos and not promotion applications. I will send a check in the amount you’ve paid and mail it to you.
Thank you for being loyal IUKF members and faithful Uechi-Ryu practitioners.
Darin Yee
President – IUKF
Sensei Darin Yee – Online Workouts
Hello All,
I hope all is well with everyone and you are practicing good health habits. I thank all the support I am receiving from everyone for my promotion.
I wanted to announce that I am coming back online to teach beginning on April 11 until I need to stop again for a torn bicep operation followed by a shoulder rotator cuff operation. Hopefully, these operations will allow me an acceptable degree of normalcy.
Uechi-Ryu Online Workouts:
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Click on this tab below
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/944384045
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123
Type in the access code where asked:
Access Code: 944-384-045
Online Workout with Darin Yee IUKF Members Invited
All IUKF Members can join the online class with Darin Yee Sensei.
Workout times are Monday 1 PM and 6 PM, Wednesday 1 PM and 6 PM, Saturday 6 PM. This is Eastern Standard Time.
They are usually 1 hour long They are available to all IUKF members
Format is: Starting with Hojo and Junbi Undo Followed by all 8 katas 3 times each. Pearls of wisdom are included throughout the session.
For more info, please contact Sensei Darin Yee.
IUKF Organization Announcement Effective January 1, 2026
The International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation (IUKF) announces an important leadership transition within our organization.
After dedicated service as President, Darin Yee has stepped down from his role. Darin shared:
“Serving the IUKF has been a great honor. I have held this position since 2018, and I am grateful to all of you who have supported, assisted, and encouraged me. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and appreciative of the support and commitment shown by the membership throughout my tenure. My special thanks to Grandmaster George Mattson for his mentoring and advice over the years.
As I conclude my tenure as President of the IUKF, I am pleased to introduce our new President, Justin Testa. Justin is an accomplished martial artist who brings strong leadership, experience, and a deep commitment to the values and development of Uechi-Ryu karate. I am confident that under Justin’s guidance, the IUKF will continue to grow, strengthen its international community, and uphold the standards our members expect. Please join me in offering Justin your full support as he assumes this role. I wish him every success and look forward to seeing the IUKF continue to progress under new leadership”.
In accepting the role, Justin Testa shared:
“Join me in expressing our sincere gratitude to Darin for his time, commitment, and contributions to the IUKF. His leadership, guidance, and efforts have played a meaningful role in supporting the IUKF’s growth, and we thank him for his many years of service to our members and the broader Uechi-Ryu community.
I am honored to serve as President of the International Uechi-Ryu Karate Federation. I look forward to working with our dojos, members, and leadership to support the organization’s continued growth while honoring the traditions and values that define Uechi-Ryu Karate. Together, we will continue moving the IUKF forward in a positive and unified direction.”
The IUKF remains committed to its mission to promote Uechi-Ryu Karate, foster international cooperation, and support practitioners at all levels. We look forward to this next chapter and appreciate the continued support of our membership during this transition.
Happy New Year.