Master Instructor – Covert Blackledge

THE EARLY YEARS

Covert Blackledge has been involved in martial arts since 1971. He started lessons under Dr. David Jordan at Texas A&M University. Covert has trained directly under three world renowned martial artists; Master Gwon Pugil of Chung Do Kwan, Master Kichiro Shimabuku of Isshin Ryu and Master Edmund Parker of American Kenpo.

While in the U.S. Marine Corps, he trained under Master Kichiro Shimabuku of IshShin-Ryu and Kobudo (weapons) while serving on the island of Okinawa.  The Marine Corps sent him to 29 Palms California where he traveled to San Bernadino and earned his Black Belt under Master Gwon Pugil of Chung Do Kwan in May of 1978.

THE COMPETITIONS YEARS

Returning to Texas in December of 1978, Covert threw himself into competition and quickly became one of the top three in Forms, and number one in Weapons. By 1983, he won the Triple Crown Award from Karate Illustrated Magazine for the first of three times ('83, '85, '86).  Between '83 and '87,  Mr. Blackledge was ranked number one in Weapons, Sparring and Specialty Forms and in the top three in Empty Hand Forms. During his career, Mr. Blackledge has won every major event in Texas including; Roy Kurban’s Fort Worth Pro-Am  Grand Champion Forms, Master J.Pat Burleson’s Texas State Karate Championships – first place in all four Black Belt Divisions and George Minshew's Karate Olympiks – first place in all four Black Belt Divisions. As the new millennium approached, Covert weened from competition to concentrate more on sharing his vast martial arts knowledge and experience with others. He still competed occasionally though, winning the Black Belt Sparring division at the United States Karate Alliance National Championships in 2008.

A PASSION FOR TEACHING

Currently, Mr. Blackledge holds a 7th degree black belt rank in American Karate, and a 7th degree black belt rank in Chung Do Kwan (Korean martial art).  He also holds a 8th degree Black Belt in Okinawan Kobudo (weapons).  Throughout his years in the martial arts, Covert has taught and trained many elite martial arts students.  He has owned and operated martial arts academies and training programs. By combining all the best aspects of each martial arts that he has learned throughout the world, Covert can customize the best program for any adult or children's program. His greatest teaching talent lies in the ability to identify each student's talents or inabilities and develop them in the way that they reach their full potential. 

In addition to being nationally recognized as a top martial arts instructor, competitor, author and innovator, Covert holds a teaching certification with the State of Texas as a Teachers Aid.  He has coached swim teams in Huntsville, Texas and Garland Texas. He has performed on ESPN, the BET Channel, and at the AstroWorld in Houston, Texas. Mr. Blackledge is a member of the United States Karate Alliance. He has produced and directed several martial arts tournaments and events. He is founder of the American Youth Sport Martial Arts Association, a 501(c) non-profit that has awarded educational scholarships to children for the their competition in Sport Martial Arts.