Kuniba-Ryu of Myrtle Beach

Kevin Watson, Shihan began his training in 1977 in the art of Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do) Moo Duk Kwan under Dennis Miller, a charter member of Tang Soo Do in the United States.  He continued training in this art for the next 17 years, eventually earning the rank of 3rd Dan in 1991.

As his training progressed, he eventually came into contact with teachers and students of other Martial Arts, particularly those involved in Japanese/Okinawan Karate. This motivated him to study deeper into the methods and techniques of Traditional Budo.

In 1992, he was fortunate enough to meet William H. Price, Soke at a clinic on Hilton Head Island, S.C.  From that point forward, he became a direct student of Price, Soke and remains so to this day.  Shortly after this meeting, he was able to meet and begin training with Jimmy Revell, Shihan as well, eventually expanding the dojo into its current location in 1996 with Revell, Shihan and Revell, Shihan's senior student, Nelson Bartlett.

Over the years, Watson, Shihan has been able to meet and train with many different teachers in a variety of Martial Arts, such as Grandmaster(s) Hyun Chul Hwang, Andy Ah Po, and Master(s) Sung Duk Cho and Darnell Leak (Tang Soo Do) as well as Dan Inosanto, Francis Fong, and Larry Hartsell (Jeet Kune Do/Wing Chun/Grappling Arts), however, he remains committed to Traditional Martial Arts.

In June, 2007, he was promoted to 6th Dan in Kuniba-Ha Shito-Ryu, and in February of 2008 appointed to Shihan (Senior Teacher/Practitioner) by William H. Price, Soke.  In February of 2010, he was promoted to 5th Dan in Kuniba-Ryu Goshin-Do.

In 2007, he was also able to continue his training in Tang Soo Do after reconnecting with Grandmaster Andy Ah Po, a direct student of the founder of Tang Soo Do, Grandmaster Hwang Kee.  In April of 2010, Watson, Shihan was promoted to 6th Dan and Sa Bom (Shihan) in the art of Tang Soo Do by Grandmaster Andy Ah Po after successfully completing the Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa (Senior Black Belt Testing and Clinic).  This type of testing is a tradition in the art of Tang Soo Do (as well as other styles of Karate), conducted over a several day period, and evaluates each candidate's ability to demonstrate and teach the entire range of the curriculum.

Watson, Shihan enjoyed success participating in Karate tournaments at the State and National level, winning several competitions in both Kata and Kumite during the 1980's and early 1990's, and recently won 1st Place in the Master's Division at the 2011 International Tang Soo Do Championships, with competitors from all over the world.  His main focus, however, is on the practice and training of the Traditional Martial Arts as they were originally intended,and he seeks this ideal in both his personal training and in teaching students here at the Myrtle Beach Dojo.