This is the administrative arm of the Golden Leopard Kempo-jutsu style. Headmaster Bagnas (mudan) and his top black belts (the Kudansha) help run, administer and promote the school through this organization. It was formed in the late 1990s to help those instructors of the Golden Leopard Kempo lineage to prosper as instructors and provide guidelines for development. In this way, the entire Golden Leopard Kempo family can present themselves with honor and pride to the martial arts community.
According to our rules, Black Belts must pass a Certified Instructor test before they are authorized to teach our curriculum. Only Certified Testers can promote students to kyu ranks (Yellow through Brown Belt). Instructors and student Black Belts are not authorized to promote students on their own. Certified Masters are the only individuals licensed to promote students to Black Belt and higher ranks. All Black Belt promotions before 2001 are grandfathered in for approval. All unauthorized testing after 2000 will be rejected.
The Golden Leopard Kempo Organization (GLKO) has strict rules for advanced Black Belt testing -- quality and adherence to the curriculum are required. All testing is done in person with a Certified Tester and Master. The score sheet will be sent to and stored at the GLKO Headquarters. The Headmaster has the option of reviewing all score sheets at his leisure. Certified Instructors and Testers must renew their certification every two years or loose their ability to teach and test, respectively. Special renewal seminars will occur each year under a GLKO Master Instructor -- most likely the Headmaster.
In November 2005, the GLKO released the Yudansha Point System in that month's Black Belt Club newsletter. It provides a way for Black Belt level students to continue their training while following several tracks or programs. By attending seminars or joining sub-art classes, these advanced students can earn credit towards their advancement. All Black Belt level promotions now require Yudansha Points in addition to time-in-grade.
If you're a student at a GLK school, you are a member. For more information about the rules and benefits, please contact the nearest authorized school.
Certified Instructors (Mokuroku):
Certified Tester (Menkyo):
Certified Master (Menkyo Kaiden):
All former Licensing and Affiliate programs have been canceled and are no longer renewable. There are no other certified instructors, testers, or masters in the Golden Leopard Kempo-jutsu system. Please report any illegal claims to the Headmaster.
View official belt ranks.
If you answered yes to any of the above, perhaps GLKO can help you. Please contact us to explore the opportunities that may be available to you. GLKO was founded to unite Kempo artists technically and in spirit - by providing the fair and timely services that all Kempo artists require without politics, discrimination, or bias.
If you are tired of politics infecting Kempo. If you don't want constant changes and contradictions in the techniques you have labored so hard to learn. If you want to join an organization which offers strong leadership, stability and unity, then the GLKO is the organization for you.
Since 1996 the GLKO has been a leader in Hawaiian Shaolin Kempo. Under GLKO's guidance you and your students can continue learning, training and advancing in rank, without having to concern yourself with politics and petty bickering amongst instructors. The GLKO's strong central leadership ensures that the standards, quality and integrity of Hawaiian Shaolin Kempo-jutsu are maintained at all levels. If you are truly serious about dedicating yourself to teaching Hawaiian Shaolin Kempo-jutsu, now is the time to begin.
It's time you and your students received the recognition you deserve. Individuals should complete and submit the Individual Application For Membership. Instructors should also submit a Head Instructor Application and a School Membership Application along with the Fees as indicated on the forms. You can become an Instructor in one of the most respected Kempo organizations in the world. Take the first step toward becoming a member of Golden Leopard Kempo's 'Ohana (Family). Register Today!
The Golden Leopard Kempo Organization offers its members the following benefits:
The following information has been assembled to answer many of your questions about the GLKO and to help explain GLKO affiliation procedures and how membership in the Organization can benefit individuals, instructors, and dojos (schools). The process requires some initial bookkeeping and paper work. This is necessary to maintain accurate records and streamline membership benefits. If you have any further questions after reading the affiliation information please feel free to contact GLKO International Headquarters for additional information.
If you are teaching Hawaiian Shaolin Kempo (or any Kempo descended from the Mitose line) and you wish to join the GLKO you must register yourself as an individual and as a Head Instructor, your school for a charter, and students with the GLKO at the same time. You must hold the rank of at least 1st degree black belt in Kempo and have a minimum of 5 students in order to apply for Head Instructor certification. To register yourself, school (club or program), and Students with the GLKO submit the following:
(The following must be submitted at the same time. Click item link to download form.)
Submit Fees in the form of a Money Order or Bank Draft, in U.S. Funds, made payable to GLKO.
International Headquarters will review your group and its activities. Upon approval, notification will be sent from headquarters to your group as well as your National and Regional Director. When you receive the notification, please contact your nearest authorized Director for further information and next steps.
GLKO offers official rank certification in Hawaiian Shaolin Kempo*, as well as instructor and dojo (school) charters. Once registered with the GLKO, instructors will be able to have their students tested through the GLKO to ensure their ranks are registered and recognized. All GLKO certificates are sent directly from International Headquarters. No GLKO instructor may issue certificates or cards in the name of the GLKO.
Those who are dedicated to practicing and teaching Kempo can, perhaps for the first time, finally be able to take pride in the organization they belong to. The GLKO is a safe haven to those who wish to practice Kempo without having to concern themselves with power struggles amongst organization instructors.
Fourth Degree Black Belt or higher individuals may not apply for membership unless that individual has a school and is teaching. Any person who is teaching must register using the school process found at How do I register my school and students?.
Anyone who has attained such high rank and is not teaching should have no need to advance in rank since he or she is not training on a regular basis. Time in rank, in and of itself does not warrant rank advancement. One must have worn (or marinated) in the material and learned new material.
If you are teaching, you must register your school and students with the GLKO.
* GLKO is also authorized to promote students in affiliated arts of American Shaolin Kempo Karate, Chinese Kenpo Karate, Dragon Kenpo, and Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu.
No. In order to register your School or Club and become an GLKO Head Instructor, you must have at least 5 students (not including yourself). You do not have to have a full-time commercial school.
Many instructors teach at community centers, YMCAs, church halls, sports centers, and even in their homes or backyards. It is not as important where you teach, as it is the quality of what you teach. The true spirit of Kempo can be taught in one's backyard or home with only a few students, or in a full-time commercial school with hundreds of students. All you need is the ability and willingness to share your knowledge of Kempo with others.
To help ensure GLKO members are learning correct history, terminology, vital points, dojo class etiquette, and other necessary information, Master Bagnas has written the Hawaiian Shaolin Kempo Student Handbook. The handbook provides students and instructors with the information necessary to learn Hawaiian Shaolin Kempo properly. The Hawaiian Shaolin Kempo Student Handbook is moderately priced so members can afford to purchase a copy.
Under special conditions GLKO members who hold the rank of 5th Kyu or above may test by submitting the promotion requirements by video and written examination. Once you are a registered GLKO member you may request to be admitted to the Distance Testing Program. Once admitted into the program you will be able to test via video and written examination.
This program is available only to GLKO members who, due to financial obligations, or because they live a great distance from the testing location, are unable to attend an examination at a registered GLKO school. Those interested in this type of program should complete the Distance Testing Program Application for admission and any other necessary forms as stated on the application.
The GLKO has standardized Testing Procedures and Rank Promotion Requirements. Instructors in many other organizations are constantly confused by what they must teach for each rank. The GLKO Constitution and By-Laws contains the Rank Promotion Requirements for every rank from White Belt up to and including 3rd Degree Black Belt*. Requirements for 4th Degree Black Belt promotions or above are provided to GLKO Head Instructors or GLKO members of Masters Club programs.
The standardization of Rank Promotion Requirements helps ensure consistency in what each student learns, what the instructors are to teach at each level, and maintains the high standards of the GLKO. Though the types of techniques to be taught are outlined, specific techniques are up to school Head Instructors. The standardization of Testing Procedures insures members that promotional examinations are conducted in a uniformed manner.
* GLKO also has requirements in affiliated arts of American Shaolin Kempo Karate, Chinese Kenpo Karate, Dragon Kenpo, and Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu.
There is no need for concern if you currently do not teach the GLKO Hawaiian Shaolin Kempo forms. There are two choices. First, you and your students can make a gradual transition to the forms. GLKO teaches the original twelve kata of Kajukenbo/Karazenpo go Shinjutsu. These forms shall not be changed, modified or deleted, as some others have done, resulting in frustration and confusion amongst students and instructors alike. If you currently do not know the forms, you teach the forms to your students as you learn them.
Secondly, you can continue to teach the formal, core kata of your system. For Affiliate schools who teach a different form of Kempo, you are not required to learn these kata but must retain your styles core curriculum at minimum. This information is contained in our affiliated arts curriculum requirements.
Originally, Shaolin Kempo Karate was an offshoot art of Kajukenbo called Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu. The 1960s saw the evolution and exploration of the Kempo arts, developing into what is now commonly known as American Shaolin Kempo Karate. Master Bagnas, who studied in several lineage lines of Kenpo joined GGM Sonny Gascon's Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu to learn the original techniques and kata. He synergized this material adding his knowledge of Filipino Martial Arts, Okinawan Kobudo and Japanese Jujutsu to fill out the curriculum. Thus Hawaiian Shaolin Kempo is Master Bagnas' personal expression of the ever evolving Kempo arts, built for practical, modern self-defense.