Shawn Knight (1973-Present) studied under the direction of Bill Packer for 15 years. With a background in wrestling, he found Kenpo to be exactly what he needed to balance his knowledge. From his very first lesson, he knew that Kenpo would become his primary focus. Mr. Knight began teaching at the age of 17 and found his life's passion therein.

​

Over the years, Mr. Knight has been involved in many schools.  He "cut his teeth" in the Pueblo Colorado school - a five year period that he looks back on fondly. Devoted to his training; he would drive from Pueblo, Colorado to Albuquerque, New Mexico every Friday to attend Mr. Packer’s Black Belt Class.

​

In 2001 Mr. Knight opened the Broadway School in Tucson Arizona. This school has continued to be his flagship operation and hosts all the Winter Training Camps and Black Belt Tests. In June of 2016 Shawn and Rebecca purchased a building within the same plaza and their school was transformed into the 4,000 square foot training center that it is today!

​

In 2006 Mr. Knight met Sigung Stephen LaBounty in a seminar class and he immediately respected his training ethic and Rough N' Tumble Drills! After seeking (many) training opportunities with Sigung over several years, Mr. Knight asked him (repeatedly) to be his personal teacher. To which Sigung always replied, "No..., but you can ask me again later." Then on September 18, 2010 Sigung finally said, Yes!

Mr. Knight would train with Sigung (at every opportunity he had) until his passing. Mr. Knight earned two ranks under Sigung Stephen LaBounty, his 6th testing before a Black Belt Board, and his 7th where Mr. Sepulveda was present. However, the highlight of Mr. Knight's career was hosting the event in 2018 where Sigung was promoted to Senior Master with Mr. Bob White, Mr. John Sepulveda and Mr. Lee Wedlake.

​

In addition to teaching across the country, Mr. and Mrs. Knight host a yearly training camp where they bring in the top instructors from various disciplines to expand their knowledge base and share with the martial arts community. All events are non-political and all are welcome who wish to learn and share.

​

Some of Mr. Knight's accolades include:

• Began Kenpo training 1990

• Certified Kenpo Instructor 1992

• Tested & Promoted to 1st Black Belt 1994

• Black Belt of the Year 1995 (AKKA)

• Tested & Promoted to 2nd Black Belt 1995

• Instructor of the Year 1996 (AKKA)

• Tested & Promoted to 3rd Black Belt 1997

• Worked for Arizona Department of Corrections 2000-2001

• Opened Broadway School September 2001

• Tested & Promoted to 4th Black Belt 2002

• Co-founded American Institute of Kenpo (AIK) 2005

• Inducted into the U.S. Martial Arts Hall Of Fame 2006

• Promoted to 5th Black by AIK’s Black Belt Board 2007

• Certified Kickboxing Instructor for Pima Community College 2007

• Presented AIK Founder Belt by Sigung and AIK’s Master Council 2009

• Accepted as a personal student of Sigung Stephen LaBounty 2010

• Tested & Promoted to 6th Black Belt by Sigung Stephen LaBounty 2015

• Completed & Released AIK's New Curriculum July 2018

• Promoted to 7th Black Belt by Sigung Stephen LaBounty 2018

• Inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame (by Senior Master Bob White) 2019

• Founded Knight Method Kenpo (KmK) 2021

• PKS Locksmith Certified 2024