Ricky


December 21, 1972 - July 15, 1998 By Sifu-Guro Joe Abueg (1998)

I first met Ricky Miyahara at College Center Karate when he was about eight years old. I still remember the bright smile on his face and the simples in his cheeks. He was the perfect child - he was filled with positive energy and loved martial arts with a deep passion. At the age of 14, Rick was the youngest person that Master Dan promoted to the rank of Black Belt at that time. He showed strength, pride, and relentless determination when he was training for his black belt. I remember when Sifu Dan would make him hold 15-pound dumbbells while he punched the heavy bag. After punching the bag, Sifu Dan would then make Rick run a few miles and do all his forms and techniques before he worked out in class. Sifu Rick was one of the most talented martial artists that I have ever known. He was one of the few people in our studio who achieved the rank of Sifu in Kenpo Karate and Maestro in Arnis De Mano. In addition to being a "natural" in the martial arts, Sifu Rick had a deep understanding of the importance of respect. He knew that respect was the foundation of martial arts and life in general. Sifu Rick had a deep respect for instructors, students, parents, and children. I can still picture him playing football and baseball with the children at our annual summer picnics as if it were yesterday. Everyone loved Sifu Rick. Sifu Rick was my protégé in Arnis and served as my other half in martial arts. Martial arts will never be the same without Sifu Rick. I will always carry the pain of losing my "little brother". Cepeda-Abueg will establish a scholarship in his memory and this will be presented at the Cepeda Bros. annual picnic. I want to personally thank everyone from the studio who showed support for the Miyahara family. To many of us, the Cepeda-Abueg studio has been our extended family. We all share a bond with the fellow students we train with over the years. Ricky will always be remembered.





By Dan Knoll

My name is Dan Knoll and I was a student of Maestro Rick Miyahara in St. Cloud, Minnesota. I was Maestro Rick's senior student in Arnis and I was, and still am, extremely saddened by his untimely death. He was both a brother and an instructor to many of us here in town and he will be sorely missed. First, I would like to tell you some of the things that Maestro did here in St. Cloud. He was very active in the Chicano movement and was a leader at St. Cloud State with M.E.C.H.A. He was also a great martial arts instructor. I was his first student in St. Cloud and having trained in a number of martial arts studios I quickly recognized in him an excellent martial artist, instructor, and person. Eventually, he was teaching about 10 or more people in both Kenpo and Arnis. He gave focus and hope to a lot of people who hadn't had it before and he also tried to give them direction. It is a testament to both him and to Sifu Dan that he touched so many lives and had a positive effect on anyone he came in contact with. What greater thing is there than trying to make the lives of our fellow man better? When Maestro left St. Cloud, he left me his vest and one of his Kris Daggas. He also left me many wonderful memories (and a few scars). As his senior student in Arnis, he asked me to keep showing and teaching what I knew of Arnis as long as there was interest. There is still about 4 - 5 people working in Arnis here including Jim Ogle - Sifu Rick's senior student in kenpo. We work out Wednesdays year round and try to keep up the traditions of what Maestro Rick taught us.

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