Clarence P. Murray, Head Instructor of Murray’s Okinawan Karate, currently holds the rank of 10th Degree Black Belt (Judan) in the Okinawan Shorin-Ryu style of Karate. GM Murray has taught the martial arts to students of all ages for over forty-five years in the Washington Metro area.

GM Clarence Murray began studying martial arts in 1964 under the late John Osaka (8th Dan KodokanJudo) at the famous Detroit Judo Club. He began studying Karate under Master Willie Adams at the Dexter/Davidson Dojo in 1968. In the fall of 1970, Clarence Murray relocated to the state of Maryland and became a student of James H. Coffman, a 4thDegree Black belt and 1st generation student of Master Fise Kise and Grand Master Hohan Soken. He received his Shodan in 1971 and Nidan in 1974 in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate.

GM Clarence Murray is a highly accomplished martial artist with over fifty years of experience in instructing Okinawan Karate. Holding a 10th degree black belt, which was awarded in July 2022. GM Clarence Murray has dedicated his life to mastering the art of Okinawan Karate, which has earned him a reputation for excellence as a Master Instructor.

Currently, GM Clarence Murray serves as the Maryland State Director of the United States Martial Artist Association (USMAA), where he oversee the development of martial arts programs and the promotion of traditional martial arts values across the state of Maryland. In this role, GM Clarence Murray is committed to fostering a strong martial arts community and supporting the growth of both new and experienced martial artists.

Clarence Murray competed in Karate tournaments from 1970 to 1993. He won over 300 trophies and awards competing in kata, Kobudo (Weapons) and Kumite (Sparring). Clarence Murray is nationally known for his expertise in Okinawan weapons, specializing in the Sai.

GM Murray has received numerous awards for his contributions to martial arts, including the Everhart’s Nippon Kenpo Karate-Do Living Legend Award and being inducted into the North American Black Belt Hall of Fame and the United States Naval Academy Hall of Fame in 2011. The Martial Arts Practitioners named Clarence Murray Outstanding Weapons Competitor in 1982. He was inducted into the US Capitol Classics Hall of Fame in 2014. GM Murray also received the prestigious Classic Award from the famed US Capitol Classics in 2016 and was inducted into the AMAA Who’ s Who in the Martial Arts and the Masters and Pioneers Autobiography Book.

GM Murray is constantly increasing his knowledge of the Okinawan/Chinese Martial Arts by traveling to Okinawa Japan every 2 – 3 years for advance training and attending seminars from 1st generation students of the Okinawan Masters who introduced the art to the United States in the early 1960’s & 1970’s.

GM Murray has been featured in the Washington Times, Official Karate, Karate Illustrated and Black Belt magazines, the Grandmaster Council, the AMAA Who’s Who in the Martial Arts Vol.2 2016 – 2017 Edition and in local broadcast, television and cable media. Clarence Murray and his weapons demo team were featured on ABC Wide World of Sports in 1975.