Ulysses “Uly” Navarrete, or Mr. Uly as his students affectionately call him, began his martial arts career nearly 30 years ago in 1991 at Robinson’s Taekwondo in Sacramento, California under the tutelage of Grandmaster Clinton Robinson.
Over the years Mr. Uly has studied and trained in ATF and ITF styles of Taekwondo, Ed Parker’s American Kenpo, Jeff Speakman Kenpo 5.0 – a system derived from Ed Parker’s teachings which also incorporates Jiujitsu and Hapkido, and finally Okinawan Kenpo Karate Kobudo which includes open hand and traditional Okinawan weapons forms.
As a student of Okinawan Karate Kenpo Kobudo under Renshi Robyn Rush, Mr. Uly achieved the rank of Sandan, 3rd Degree Black Belt, in February 2018.
Mr. Uly continues to broaden his mind, body and spirit by also cross training in Muay Thai and participating in boot camp, core and fitness classes.
His proudest achievement has been watching his daughter and son on their own martial arts journeys proving his mantra that “The family that kicks together, sticks together!” They too are students in the Kenpo program at CMMA.
Outside of martial arts Mr. Uly works with school districts all over the country providing online literacy solutions aimed at helping kids become better readers. He is a firm believer that literacy is the cure for poverty and provides the opportunity for every child to change their stars.