VERNON MASON
Vernon Mason
7th Degree Black Belt
1st World PKA Bantamweight Champion
Vernon E. Mason, well-known in the sport of Karate is recognized as being one of the best kickers in the world. Later being named “Thunder Kick”, he as born and raised in the City of Hampton under the discipline and interest in karate after viewing many movies of the well-known Bruce Lee. Renshi Mason started studying Karate in 1973 at the age of 11 under the supervision of Sensei Emory Turner.
Sensei Turner taught Renshi Mason, under the supervision of Kyoshi Frank Hargrove, in a dojo so small that there was no room to do a kata. While studying at Sensei Turner's dojo for two months, Renshi Mason heard about a big dojo located in Hampton. The instructor there was from Okinawa and Vernon really wanted to train with, but the cost of $35.00 a month was just too expensive. After visiting the school and talking to the instructor, Frank Hargrove, who was a 6th degree black belt at that time and was the highest ranked black belt in the United States, and spoke Japanese fluently, Vernon was impresses. As you can imagine, at age 11, this was very impressive. It wasn't until months later after working car washes and cutting grass that Vernon was able to save enough money for a down payment.
In 1973 after meeting and studying under the leadership of Frank Hargrove, he began to live his life in the way of Karate-do. He devoted himself completely to karate day and night. After rigorous training under Hargrove's supervision, Vernon became a fighting machine and took great interest in karate tournaments, Vernon was able to win over 200 trophies and medals and was well known for his ability to hit his opponents very fast and direct.
In 1975, Renshi Mason had surpassed his fellow classmates and began teaching youths at Kyoshi Hargrove's Dojo. In 1976, Vernon was able to travel to Japan with Kyoshi Hargrove and six other adults to study the ways of Karate-do. Vernon was nicknamed “Thunder kick” after knocking out the majority of his opponents within a one minute period with kicks to the head. After returning from Japan and Okinawa and studying the ways of Karate-do, Vernon received his Shodan (Black Belt). He discovered the love for full contact, better known as PKA (Professional Karate Association), because of his ability to hit his opponent with ease.
In 1976, Vernon began his full contact career. He lost his first fight held at the Hampton Coliseum which filled him with great determination to improve. Renshi Mason was determined to be the best in his field and with the help of friends like Larry Doggett and Diana Greman he was able to continue travelling from state to state winning many bouts. Vernon found his greatest abilities to be a fighter and the determination to go all the way under the direction of Dan Wilson, who later became his legal guardian. He, also, learned that champions are not made by just winning fights. Many other characteristics help to make a champion. He felt that going to live with Dan Wilson at the age of 17 was a major turning point in his life. He moved from an all black environment to a predominantly all white community. It was a culture shock for him living with Dan and his family for two and one-half years. Vernon learned a great deal about life from Dan, and Dan was a big inspiration in Vernon's life.
By 1979, Vernon had worked his way to the top as the #2 contender in the world. Sonny Onowa from Okinawa was the #1 contender. There was talk of a world Bantamweight fight to be held somewhere but the PKA needed a promoter. At that time, Renshi Mason was still studying and training out of Richmond. One day, Dan and Vernon received a call from Frank Hargrove, who trained VERNON from the age of 11 to his 3rd Dan. Kyoshi Hargrove proposed to promote the World Title bout in Virginia Beach if Vernon would move back to Hampton and train under his leadership. He did move back to Hampton, and Dan came back to help him train for the World Title bout. On August 25, 1979, at the age of 19 and after years of hard work, Vernon's dream came true by knocking out Sonny Onowa 54 seconds into the 9th round, becoming the 1st World PKA Bantamweight Champion. In 1981, he defended his title and lost for the second time in his professional career, leaving him with 19 wins (5 by knockout) and 2 loss. However, he came back by winning the East Cost and West Cost Titles. Also, in 1981 he fought Felipe Garcia to regain the World Title. Vernon Retired in 1985. Between 1985 and 1986, he took a rest from Kickboxing and Traditional Karate. In August, 1986, he opened the doors of Okinawa USA Karate-do, Inc. in Hampton. He moved his dojo in 1990 to Shady Bank S/C Yorktown, VA, and later moved to his present location at 5312 George Washington Highway, Yorktown, VA 23692.
Karate has been good to Vernon and has taught him not only how to win and loose, but how to deal with everyday life situations