Richard Rabago

Richard Rabago (August 14, 1943 - May 18, 2012) was a Japanese-American martial artist, instructor, and expert in .
Early life
Rabago was born in Oahu, Hawaii. Growing up in the Hawaiian Islands, Rabago had the opportunity to experience and study many different forms of martial arts. Rabago's martial studies included: Judo, Aikido, Kempo and Boxing. After completing high school, Rabago moved to California in 1961.
Martial Arts training
He began his training in Shotokan Karate under the instruction of Tsutomu Oshima and Hidetaka Nishiyama. Rabago trained and studied the principles of Shotokan until 1968. In 1969, he began his study of Karate under George Terukina, and Seikichi Iha. He progressed through the years and was promoted to the rank Shichidan (7th degree Black Belt) by Tadashi Yamashita.
Dojo
Rabago opened his own dojo, and for over 30 years has taught Kobayashi Shorin-ru and Okinawan Kobudo in Torrance, California. The sign outside the dojo simply reads "SHORIN RYU". It is a traditional Okinawan dojo where Karateka soon learn that THE BASICS ARE EVERYTHING. Respect is earned through demonstrated skill and dedication under Rabago's tutelage.
Film and television
Rabago also embarked on the dual careers of engineering design and acting while teaching Shorin-ryu. He has appeared in more than twenty-five film and television roles, while holding down a job as a digital chip designer. Some of Rabago's film involvements include: The Sand Pebbles, Big Trouble in Little China and The Bad News Bears Go to Japan. Rabago has acted in television commercials for Adidas and became well known for his role as Tao Chong on Haim Saban's television series, VR Troopers. He also appeared in "Plague of the Mantis", a 1994 episode of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (another Saban series).
Honors
For his public service and civic activism, Rabago has been honored with awards and acknowledgments, including:
*World Martial Arts Masters Hall of Fame
*Golden Master's Instructors Award
*Masters Hall of Fame
*Commendation from the County of Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
*Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Lawndale, California, USA
*Serving as a Reserve Sheriff in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department teaching use of force techniques
Published works
*Rabago, Richard. (June 2003). Advanced Weaponry. Martial Arts Magazine, pp. 58-63
*Jeffrey, Doug. (February 2003). Don't Think Twice. Martial Arts Magazine, pp. 77-83
*Hestor, Todd. (March 2001). A Higher Standard. Martial Arts & Combat Sports Magazine, pp. 58-63
*Fraquas, Jose M. (2001). The Masters Speak. Unique Publications. ISBN 0-8656-195-3.
*Yamashita, Tadashi. (1987). Advanded Tonfa: Japanese Weapons of Self Defense. Black Belt Communications. ISBN 0-89750-117-9
*Yamashita, Tadashi. (1986). Dynamic Nunchuku. Black Belt Communications. ISBN 0-89750-105-5

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