Hanshi Dr. Mario Arthur PhD
Chairman and Founder of
United Federation of Martial Arts (UFMA)
Hanshi Dr. Mario Arthur is a highly respected martial artist, leader, and educator with over six decades of dedication to the martial arts. His journey began in 1963 with the study of Judo under Master Alexander Hamilton. He continued to expand his knowledge across a wide range of disciplines, including Aikido under Sensei Rod, Kyokushinkai Karate under Sensei Kanamura, Shotokan Karate under Sensei Stephen Oliver and instructors from the Japan Karate Association (JKA), Kendo under Sensei Tomita in Saitama, Japan, Tai Chi under Master Min-Pai, and Tae Kwon Do under Tai Sik Kim. His extensive training reflects a lifelong commitment to mastering both traditional and modern martial arts systems.
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Dr. Arthur immigrated to the United States at the age of eight and was raised in Brooklyn, New York. His interest in martial arts began at the age of six, initially as a means of physical activity and self-defense. His passion quickly evolved into a lifelong pursuit of excellence. Demonstrating exceptional skill and discipline at a young age, he earned his Black Belt at just 12 years old.
In 1973, Hanshi Arthur opened his first dojo in the East New York section of Brooklyn, marking the beginning of a long and impactful teaching career. Over the years, he has trained and mentored countless students, many of whom have gone on to achieve Black Belt rank and excel in martial arts both nationally and internationally. Several of his students have earned the honor of representing the United States on official national karate teams.
Throughout his career, Hanshi Arthur has had the privilege of training and collaborating with some of the world’s most distinguished martial artists. Among them is his friend and mentor, Master Thomas “Lapuppet” Carroll, with whom he traveled extensively, attending seminars, competitions, and advanced training programs. He has also worked alongside notable martial artists such as Major Leon Wallace, Fred Hamilton, Stephen Oliver, Malachi Lee, Victor Vega, and Corinthian Guy.
Hanshi Arthur has represented the United States as an official at numerous state, national, and international championships, further solidifying his reputation as a leader in the global martial arts community. His travels to multiple countries have allowed him to share his knowledge and promote the values of discipline, respect, and excellence worldwide.
As the Chairman and Founder of the United Federation of Martial Arts (UFMA), Hanshi Dr. Mario Arthur continues to shape the future of martial arts by fostering unity, leadership, and high standards of training across the organization. His legacy is defined not only by his personal achievements but by the generations of martial artists he has inspired and developed.
Martial Arts Timeline
1973: Created Golden Dragon Shotokan Club
Joined American Athletic Union (AAU)
1976: AAU Metropolitan / Membership / Referee training under Thomas “LaPuppet” Carrol .
1976: Karate Instructor Police Athletic League 103Pct. Center, Queens, NY.
1977: Opened the Salvation Army Karate Club in Brooklyn, NY. Promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt, Tae- Kwon-Do.
1978: Tai-Chi Chuan and Chinese Philosophy under Master Min Pai. Started teaching at The Pink House Center in Brooklyn.
Assigned as AAU Class E Official
1979: Promoted to Godan 5th Degree Black Belt. Trained in Kingston, Jamaica (Jamaica JKA).
Joined USA Karate Federation
1980: Joined A.F.M.A. received 5th Dan recognition. Joined US-Butoku-kai under Richard Kim.
Assigned as AAU Class D Official and Class B Judge
1981: Trained in Saitama, Japan Kendo – Iaido, Kubudo/ Same year Spent time in England, Finland, Germany, and Spain.
Assigned as AAU Class B Referee
Member of USA Shotokan Karate-Do
1982: Awarded 6th Dan. Trained in Kobudo under Ramon Ramos, Manila, Philippine.
1983: Received Class A-Referee (AAU) Certification. I studied Jujutsu from various Instructors. Partnered with Shihan Dennis Palumbo Hakkoryu Jujutsu.
1984: Pan-American Referee Council A-Rated (AAU).
Assigned as AAU Class A Referee
1985: Appointed Rocky Mountain AAU Karate Chairman by P. Hickey/ Master George Anderson.
1986: Awarded 7th Dan, Shihan Menkyo Kaiden and Appointed Regional Director USA- Karate Federation, Region 9 by Mater George Anderson. Traveled to Haiti with Shihan Seiji Kanamura Kyokushinkai Seminar.
1987: Appointed AAU Region 10 Regional Director, Member of AAU National Committee.
Second Dojo Opened in Aurora, Colorado. World United Karate Organization (Wuko Referee License.
1988: Received Official Certification Class A-Referee from AAU (Bob Allen). (Wuko Referee Member)
1990: Studying, Lecturing, and Teaching, Japan / Thailand / Hong Kong and other parts of Asia.
1999: Traveled to Africa to begin Research study of Indigenous Tribes- Studied with several instructors in Senegal, Ghana South Africa.
2001: Technical Director American Federation of Martial Arts
2005: Vice President Haitian Karate federation PKF-WKF Representative
2006: Created HMMA – Haitian Mix Martial Arts (After various historical research on Haitian Revolution based on Toussaint Louverture and Bookman System.
2006: Haitian Karate Federation PKF/WKF Vice president
2007: Confederation Centro Americana Y del Caribe De Karate (CCCK-Voted as The Caribbean Vice President Under (PKF-WKF) (Mexico City)
2010: January promoted to 9th Dan Karate by the San-Ten Organization- American Federation of Martial Arts.
2013: Created Hanshi Arthur Shotokan Institute
2014: Registered with World United Karate Organization (WUKO): President of Haiti Karate Federation. Traveled to Kenya and Madagascar presenting Seminars in my system of Martial Arts.
2014: Executive Director American Federation of Martial Arts
2015: Promoted to 9th Dan – World United Karate Organization
2016: WUKO Continental Referee and named Chairman for Wuko Representing the Caribbean Region. Traveled to Central America under Wuko. Introduced HMMA to Ethiopia. (Haitian Mix Martial Arts)
2017: Created the United Federation of Martial Arts (Traveled to Japan and China to promote my System. The same year I traveled to Africa and Central America.
2018: Promoted to World Judge under Wuko. Developed an International training program in the Caribbean and set up representatives for HMAS and Wuko. In Panama, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Honduras, Dominican Republic and Canada, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Belize, and Nicaragua.
2019: Promoted to World Chief Referee under WKMO (World Karate Martial Arts Organization.
Toured West Africa and developed my system in Nigeria and continued to Ghana. Set up Representative in Burkina Faso, Niger and Central African Republic, Senegal.
WKMO-World Chief Referee
Honored with the title of Soke by the Ethiopia Integrated Martial Arts Federation and the World Karate Organization.
2020: Promoted my system HMAS and Introduced HMMA (Haitian Mix Martial Arts to Nigeria. Held a nationally televised Tournament. HMMA and Traditional Karate.
Executive Board Member (WKMO) World Karate Martial Arts Organization.
Presently:
Traveling throughout the World promoting Martial Arts, and Cultural Awareness. My focus is promoting the technical aspects of Karate. I have been working with various Martial Arts Organizations on Technical Development… Also sharing my system of Martial Arts Promoting HMMA and UFMA. Bringing all Martial Arts together and providing an opportunity for development.