Ron Tyree began his training at 9-years-old in 1979 in the Order of Isshin-Ryu. He started under Sensei Allen Blackburn but became a student of Grand Master Toby Cooling in 1980. Sensei Tyree was the only kid in the dojo at the time. He recalls spending most of his first few years of training getting up off the dojo floor from being knocked down by the adult students. He achieved his Sho-Dan (1st degree black belt) at the age of 16 in 1987. He was the first student in the Hombu Dojo to receive a black belt under the age of 18. In 2000, Sensei Tyree was recognized by the World Head of Family Sokeship for the Most Innovative Training Program of the Year. Master Cooling promoted Sensei Tyree to the rank of Ku-Dan (9th degree black belt) in April of 2022. Sensei Tyree is currently a student of Master Bud Ewing and has trained in his dojo for over 40 years.
Sensei Tyree competed across the U.S. in kata and kumite for many years. He consistently placed in both categories, winning several grand championships. He has been teaching classes at the Hombu Dojo for the past 30 years.
Encouraged by Master Cooling to add to his martial arts skills, Sensei Tyree studied kickboxing, Muay Thai, and no gi jiu jitsu. Master Tyree’s experiences led to the development of his fighting method called Shikyori Budo, which means “the art of four distances.” He teaches his art as well as Isshin-Ryu in Elkton, MD, and Wilmington, DE.
Sensei Tyree holds a B.S. in Public Policy, a Bachelor’s of Nursing, and a Master’s of Advanced Practice Nursing with a specialty in Psychiatry. He is the owner and Chief Medical Officer of Sozo Wellness Centers of America in Newark, DE.