Sigung Alan Christopher Reyes
(1969-present)
Christopher Reyes 1974 ©Reyes/Kajukenbo Archive
2011 Sifu Christopher Reyes and SGM Alan Reyes
©Reyes/Kajukenbo Archive
NAME: Alan Christopher Reyes
TITLE: Sigung
RANK: 7TH DEGREE
SYSTEM: KAJUKENBO
METHOD: EMPERADO METHOD
STYLE: HARD STYLE
SCHOOL: Reyes Kenpo Karate Club
LIVED: 1969-Present
TRAINED: 1974-Present
INSTRUCTOR: GGM ALEJU C. REYES / SGM ALAN M. REYES
LINEAGE: EMPERADO > GGM REYES > SGM REYES > SIGUNG REYES
AFFILIATIONS: RKK / KSDI
Sigung Alan Christopher Reyes began training in 1974 at the age of 5 under his Grandfather GGM Aleju Reyes at the Vacaville Three Oaks Community Center. After his grandfather passed in 1977 he began training with his father SGM Reyes. In 2003 Sigung Reyes opened RKK Memphis and continues to honor his family’s legacy by protecting the original Kajukenbo Hardstyle, Emperado Method. Sigung Reyes has hosted the Kajukenbo Cafe for many years and is heading up Kajukenbo.com which will be launching soon. He maintains the Reyes/Kajukenbo Archives and is currently working on completing his father’s book and other historical documents.
Since his father’s passing Sigung Reyes is now the successor to the Reyes Kenpo Karate legacy. Together with Grandmaster Ed Zickowski they work to preserve the original teachings of Sijo Adriano D. Emperado and the integrity and traditions set by both GGM Aleju Reyes and SGM Alan Reyes.
2020 SGM Reyes Celebration of life. (Left) Ed Zickowski, Christopher Reyes, Clyde Mandac, Albert Sy
2016 Reyes Kajukenbo Memphis ©Reyes/Kajukenbo Archive.
Christopher Reyes, Sijo Emperado 1985
©Reyes/Kajukenbo Archive
Reyes Kenpo Karate 2003 ©Reyes/Kajukenbo Archive
Christopher Reyes 1988©Reyes/Kajukenbo Archive
Christopher Reyes 1977 ©Reyes/Kajukenbo Archive
Sifu Alan Christopher Reyes and SGM Reyes 2003
©Reyes/Kajukenbo Archive
Sigung Albert Sy and Sigung Christopher Reyes 2003
©Reyes/Kajukenbo Archive
Reyes Kenpo Karate Memphis - Sifu Philip LeTard, Sigung Reyes, SGM Reyes, Sifu Price, Sifu Harris ©Reyes/Kajukenbo Archive. 2014
HISTORY
In 1969 Christopher Reyes was born into the rich legacy of Reyes Kenpo Karate and Kajukenbo. Even before he started training, the dojo holds some of his earliest memories. “My mom who also trained, said that I would sleep on the corner of the mat during class even through all the kiais. I remember playing with my cousins and Auntie Te on actual tatami mats. Grandpa would have us kids fill up the coke machine and sweep up after class. The dojo itself was split down the middle and had grandpa’s karate guys on one side and grandma’s hula girls on the other. As a kid, it was magical. There was always something special going on.”
In 1974 Christopher began his training under Grandfather GGM Aleju Reyes at the Vacaville Three Oaks Community Center. Eventually he was training with both his father and grandfather in Suisun, Fairfield, Vacaville, and Napa.
As a teenager, Christopher helped to teach the junior classes and was training in several of the Dojos, 3 classes a night, 5 nights a week. “training was my life. I don’t think I knew anyone outside of Karate or Hula.” Like his father, Christopher also performed Hula, fire knife, and drumming. “My grandmother’s annual Luau was always a super fun.”
“Between Karate and Hula it was like a big family that did everything together. We trained, we did demos, we went on the annual camping trips to Gualala. The tournaments were always crazy. Not only did we put on the tournaments, we made the trophies, the programs, grandma and the girls made the food, and the hula dancers provided the entertainment.”
In the late 80’ Christopher moved to Memphis. He attended Memphis College of Art and started training a small group of friends. Living in Memphis made it difficult to test but eventually he earned his 1st Degree Black in 2003.
Sigung Christopher and daughter Josephine Reyes
(Front) SGM Dela Cruz, SGM Sixto Romas, Sigung Reyes, SGM Al Dacascos. (Back left) unknown, Eric Lee.
In 2019 Senior Grandmaster Alan Reyes passed away and Sigung Alan Christopher Reyes became the successor to Reyes Kenpo Karate and the Reyes legacy. “I hope to live up to the legacy of Sijo Emperado, my grandfather Aleju Reyes, and my father Alan Reyes.” - Christopher Reyes at SGM Alan Reyes’ Celebration of life.
2020 SGM Alan Reyes Celebration of Life ©Reyes/Kajukenbo Archive
Sigung Reyes, SGM Forbach, GM Rhonda Armenta, GM Zickowski
HIGHLIGHTS
1974 Christopher began training with his grandfather Aleju Reyes.
2003 Christopher received his 1st degree Black Belt from his father, SGM Reyes.
2014 Christopher received his 5th degree from his father, SGM Reyes.
2019 Christopher becomes the successor to Reyes Kenpo Karate.
2020 Christopher received his 6th degree from Grandmaster Ed Zickowski.
2022 Christopher accepts the Kenpo Hall of Fame award on behalf of his grandfather Aleju Reyes.
BLACKBELTS
1. Greg Price 2. Philip LeTard 3. Joanna Harris