Bio. of Ron Hagelganz


5th Dan Black Belt - Shiho Karano Karate

2nd Dan Black Belt - Shiho Karano Iaido

2nd Dan Black Belt - Tae Kwon Do

1st Dan Black Belt - Shiho Karano Ju-Jitsu

For lineage chart click here

Passionate about sharing the truth of God's Word through the martial arts, Ron Hagelganz is one of the devotional writers featured in the new Martial Arts Bible called "Wisdom for the Warrior". For more information on this great resource click here.


Ron Hagelganz began his martial arts training in 1980 under the instruction of Sansen Jerry Jensen, a 3rd Degree Black Belt and #7 World Ranked Karate/Kickboxing fighter. Training in an Americanized version of Song Moo Kwan Tae Kwon Do and Karate, he successfully tested for his 1st Degree Black Belt in 1984.

A few months later, when his instructor was injured in a sparring accident and retired, he continued teaching the class on his own and began developing the curriculum for what would become Whole Armor Martial Arts, the school he still has to this day.


Ron Hagelganz "captured" by his teacher Soke Reidner - 6/5/97

In 1987 he became a student of Dr. Clement G. Reidner, Soke (Head founder), of the Shiho Karano Ryu and the Christian Black Belt Association. By then a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, he shifted his study to Karate-do and Ju Jitsu in the Shiho Karano Ryu style.

Over the last 25 years as a student of Dr. Riedner he has earned a 1st Degree Black Belt in Ju-Jitsu, a 2nd in Iaido and a 5th Degree Black Belt in Karate-do.

He has also been appointed by Dr. Riedner as the Pacific Northwest Representative for the CBBA and SKKI.

But ranks and titles aside, it is teaching martial arts as a means of sharing Christ that keeps Ron Hagelganz going. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17


Ron is married with 2 grown daughters, and besides martial arts enjoys Hot Rods, Harleys and playing drums/percussion. He is also on staff at Crossroads Community Church in Vancouver WA.


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. " Proverbs 3:5-6