Allen Steen: The Man Who Put Texas on the Map of American Karate
Before Chuck Norris, There Was Allen Steen
When martial arts fans think about the golden age of American karate, names like Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis, and Mike Stone usually come to mind.
Yet before many of these champions became famous, another fighter was already helping shape the future of martial arts in the United States.
Allen Steen is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of American karate and one of the most influential figures in the development of martial arts in Texas.
Training Under Jhoon Rhee
Allen Steen was born in 1940.
His martial arts journey changed dramatically when he became a student of Jhoon Rhee.
Rhee would later become known as the man who introduced Taekwondo to mainstream America.
Steen became one of his earliest American students and is often recognized as the first American student of Jhoon Rhee to earn a black belt.
At a time when martial arts were still relatively unknown in the United States, this was a significant achievement.
The Birth of Texas Karate
After completing his training, Steen began teaching in Texas.
His schools quickly became successful and attracted large numbers of students.
The fighters produced by his schools became known for their aggressive, competitive style and outstanding tournament performances.
Their success became so well known that many martial artists began referring to the movement simply as "Texas Karate."
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| Source: Black Belt Magazine – Allen Steen: A Giant Among Warriors |
Training Future Legends
Perhaps Steen's greatest achievement was not his own success, but the success of his students.
Among those who trained under him was:
- Skipper Mullins
who would later become one of the most celebrated kickers in American martial arts history.
Steen's influence extended far beyond a single generation of competitors.
The 1966 Long Beach Championship
One of the defining moments of Steen's competitive career came at the famous Long Beach International Karate Championships.
Organized by Ed Parker, the tournament became one of the most important events in martial arts history.
In 1966, Allen Steen captured the Grand Champion title.
Historical accounts indicate that his path to victory included wins over elite competitors such as Chuck Norris and Joe Lewis.
The achievement established him as one of the top competitors of his era.
Founding the AKBBA
Steen's contributions were not limited to competition.
He founded the American Karate Black Belt Association (AKBBA), one of the earliest martial arts organizations in the United States.
Through the AKBBA, he helped promote tournaments, instructor development, and the growth of martial arts across the country.
The Teacher Who Built Champions
While many fighters became famous for their own victories, Allen Steen became legendary for his ability to create champions.
Numerous successful competitors of the 1960s and 1970s were either direct students or heavily influenced by the training methods he developed.
His impact on American karate can still be seen today through the generations of instructors and practitioners who trace their lineage back to him.
The Legacy of Allen Steen
Allen Steen passed away in 2025 after dedicating more than sixty years to martial arts.
His influence remains enormous.
Without Allen Steen, the history of American karate might have unfolded very differently.
He was a champion.
He was a teacher.
He was an organizer.
And above all, he was one of the architects of American karate's golden age.
Allen Steen βιογραφικά αρχεία
American Karate Black Belt Association Archives
Black Belt Magazine Archives
Jhoon Rhee historical records
Long Beach International Karate Championships Archives
Martial Arts History Museum Archives
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