Sensei Polly Melick

Birthdate: July 22, 1952
Belt rank: Hachidan (8th degree black belt) awarded June 2020 from Kaicho Frank Williams UMAA
Martial arts style over 35 years of training Matsumura Shorin Ryu, previous training was informal.
UMAA New Jersey State representative &member of the advisory board of directors
As a youth my family couldn’t afford karate lesson for me so I would simply watch classes through the
window at the local dojo, and I would try to use the techniques I learned from watching them, which I
found useful when a boy attacked me when I was a teenager, I did fend off my attacker and he never
bothered me again. This was the only time I ever had to use my karate to defend.
Previous training was with Shihan Al Smith Red Dragon Karate School until 2002
I started my formal training with Shihan Smith, when our daughter was a young teen and was bullied at
school, we wanted her to know how to defend herself if necessary. We joined as a family.
Ju-Jitsu training with Soke Michael DePasquale 2005-06
Okinawa Matsumura Shorin Ryu with Yoshimatsu Akamine started in 2009-2019, not able to return to
Okinawa since because of Covid 19.
We offer training for children from age 5 to adults of all ages.
I teach the two kid’s classes and Gary teaches the teens & adults class, we feel it is important for all ages
to learn the way of karate, they learn respect, discipline much more.
Opened Golden Dragon Karate LLC with my husband Gary in 2002 in Alpha, NJ
UMAA Life member as of 2002
2011 Kyoshi title presented by Yoshimatsu Akamine,
2014 Shihan title presented by Kaicho Matthew Molineux

2016 Life membership l.O.B.K.A. presented by Kaicho Matthew Molineux
2017 inducted into the Society of Black Belts Association Presented by Dr. Christopher Viggiano
2021 Order of Emerald Dragon for exceptional perseverance, determination and tenacious drive to train
and learn. I am the only women so far to be honored with this award presented by UMAA
I have been honored with recognition awards in various organizations such as Action Martial Arts
Magazine, AMAA, IFOJJ, IAMA, WKU, Legends of the Martial Arts, GJ Torres & more.
I competed in tournaments from North Carolina to NJ, until my mid 60’s, having earned many trophies,
you are never too old to train, martial arts are not just for the young.
As of date I have had 48 surgeries & various procedures, I never stopped training or teaching karate, my
doctor told me the karate saved my life. I even taught classes wearing a cast, surgical boot & more over
the years. Karate is a way of life for me, I have no plans to stop. I do have limitations, but I find a way to
work around that, which I can also share with others that have limitations.