Steve Sanders (karate)

Sijo Saabir Quwi Muhammad (born Steve Sanders; July 2, 1939) is an American martial artist and police officer.

Early life

Sanders was born in Indianola, Mississippi on July 2, 1939. He was the youngest of several siblings.[1] As a youth, he learned tai chi.[2] He attended Kansas State University on a Football Scholarship.[3] Sanders joined the Marines, where he was exposed to Gōjū-ryū karate.[3] He served in the Vietnam War while in the Marines.[2] Afterwards, he worked as a security officer for Los Angeles County, California.[4]

Career

Despite racism during the era, Sanders became a champion fighter.[3] He won many state and national titles.[5] Sanders is said to have had the fastest hands in karate.[6] Sanders earned his black belt from Dan Inosanto and Chuck Sullivan.[7] Sanders faced Chuck Norris[8] and holds wins in Ed Parkers Long Beach Internationals .[9] Sanders developed the five speed theory and the 12 basic moves of kenpō.[5] Sanders founded the Black Karate Federation.[3]

In 1982, Sanders joined the Nation of Islam and changed his last name to Muhammad.[3] He would as a result convert to Islam.[10] Sanders played the instructor of Jim Kelly in Enter the Dragon.[3][6] Sanders received the Battle of Atlanta Hall of Fame award in 2012.[11] Sanders was nominated to the Black Belt magazine hall of fame.[12] Sanders holds a 10th degree black belt.[13] He is the author of Bkf Kenpo: History and Advanced Strategic Principles.[14] Sanders appeared in the 1982 training video World Of Martial Arts with Benny Urquidez, Chuck Norris and John Saxon.[15] His student Ray Wizard fought in UFC 2.[16]

See also

References
  1. "Black Karate Federation International". dojos.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02.
  2. "Who's Who in Kenpo: Steve Muhammad". The KenpoNet. Retrieved 2018-12-30.
  3. "Founder of The BKF". TheBKF.org. Archived from the original on 2017-03-02.
  4. Baker, Timothy (September 1985). "Tonny Tulleners: The Fighter Chuck Norris Couldn't Beat!". Black Belt. Vol. 23, no. 9. p. 23. ISSN 0277-3066.
  5. Sanders & Williams 1994, p. 35.
  6. Sanders & Williams 1994, p. 5.
  7. Sanders & Williams 1994, p. 29.
  8. Sanders & Williams 1994, p. 22.
  9. Sanders & Williams 1994, p. 11.
  10. Sanders & Williams 1994, p. 31.
  11. "BKF founder Sijo Steve Muhammad receives Hall of Fame Award at Battle of Atlanta 2012". FilmFetish.com. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 2018-12-30.
  12. "Steve Muhammad: Black Karate Federation". USAdojo.com. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 2018-12-30.
  13. Karriem ABdAllah Productions LLC
  14. Bkf Kenpo: History and Advanced Strategic Principles: Steve Muhammad, Donnie Williams, Bkf (Organization): 9780865682184: Amazon.com: Books
  15. "Benny Urquidez : Traditional Based – World Wide Dojo". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-11.
  16. Simon, Zane (28 May 2013). "UFC 2: The fighter redux (part 1)". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2016-05-16.

Sources
  • Sanders, Steve; Williams, Donnie (November 1994). "Black Belt". Black Belt. Buyer's Guide. Active Interest Media, Inc. ISSN 0277-3066.
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