GRANDMASTER H. G. ROBBY ROBINSON, PhD, MA
Regional Coordinator for Development, NW Florida, United States Judo Association
Former National Program Director, United States of America
Traditional Kodokan Judo – United States Ju-Jitsu Federation
Commissioner, Southeast Asia - Martial Arts International Federation
Professor Robinson, a native Bronx, New Yorker was introduced to Judo in 1949 through the teachings of Charles Yerkow and was strongly influenced by neighborhood Chinese Tai Chi Chuan practitioners. His high school background in weight lifting, gymnastics, fencing, wrestling, and boxing with the New York City Police Athletic League, found him well prepared for a future fulfilling career in the little known field of martial arts that would take him around the world and encompassing the majority of his adult life. In 1952 GM Robinson enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) and became a member of the USAF’s Elite Strategic Air Command Combative Armed and Unarmed Cadre of Escape and Evasion Instructors.
In December 1955, GM. Robinson was assigned to the island of Hokkaido and began his formal Kodokan training with his Sensei and mentor Yasumasa Kanemoto, Kudan. In 1956, he was awarded Kodokan Shodan in Judo while training alternately with Japanese Military Self-Defense Forces in Kendo and Shorinji Kenpo. Relocating to Tokyo in 1957, he studied Shotokan Karate under Hidetaka Nishiyama and Kodokan Judo with Sadaki Nakabayashi.
A myriad of assignments throughout the United States followed as a Senior Judo Coach and Military Combative Tactics Instructor included providing Law Enforcement Arrest and Control training to officers of the Vice and Narcotics Division, Austin, Texas Police Department.
Attending advanced martial arts combative instructors training at the Kodokan, Tokyo, Japan, Sensei Kotani, promoted GM Robinson to Nidan. Mr. Risei Kano, son of the originator of Judo, Jigoro Kano, formerly presented Robby's promotion certificate to him in ceremony at the former Kodokan Judo Institute. In 1966, Kotani Sensei advanced GM Robinson to Sandan. Departing Texas in 1968 for the first of six Southeast Asia (SEA) tours of duty, GM Robinson continued his military career as a Master Sergeant. In 1971 GM Robinson was decorated for saving two Japanese youth from drowning in Hakata Bay, Fukuoka, Japan, In 1968 he was also decorated by the Royal Thai Security Forces Supreme Regiment Command Badge of Honor 2nd Class for hands-on simulated military close combat field martial arts training over 500 United States Security Police, Royal Thai Security Forces and local law enforcement.
Other awards include the coveted Regimental Badge of Honor 1st Class, Honorary Sky Diver Wings and Royal Thai Air Force Master Jump Wings, and Seven United States Air Force Commendation Medals. He has since received numerous letters of commendation from various Royal Thai governmental military and police agencies as well as a letter of commendation for sustained humanitarian services to the people of Thailand from the King of Thailand's sister Princess Galyani.
Recognized as an outstanding US Ambassador of Goodwill, he was lauded in a letters of commendation from General Montgomery C. Meigs, Commanding General, Eighth United States Forces, Europe and Air Chief Marshall Chaloey Warintrakom, Commanding General Royal Thai Security Forces, Kingdom of Thailand.
GM Robinson’s 35 years of active and reserve military duties as a martial arts instructor, civic actions officer, coupled with his Department of the Navy and Army civil service career as a Director for Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Business Operations, has garnered him numerous accolades and decorations, both foreign and domestic including four Army Commanders Medals for Civilian Services, Army Commanders Achievement Medal, and three Korean Services Medals for meritorious services. His outstanding record of voluntary international humanitarian accomplishments continues to this day.
He aspires to coordinate civic actions projects as the Southeast Asia Executive Director for Civil Welfare Projects, Air Command Association/Special Operations - McCoskrie/Threshold Foundation. His martial arts organization service encompassing over 60 years is extensive. Sensei Robinson's special achievements have been recognized by his colleagues and include many National and International Hall of Fame inductions at the highest level of recognition. GM Robinson's current major martial art ranks just to mention a few include:
- 9th Dan - Kudan, Traditional Kodokan Judo
- 9th Dan - Kudan, Kodokan Judo, USMA
- 9th Dan - Kudan, Ju-Jitsu, USJA
- 9th Dan - Kudan, Taiho Jitsu, USMA
- 8th Dan - Hachidan, Goshin Jitsu
