Richard Byrne, some years back a well-known New England independent wrestler and for most of his life a major martial arts figure, passed away on September 4, 2012 at the age of 62.

 

Born and raised in Malden, MA, he began his athletic career in the art of Tang Soo Do karate (an empty-handed method of self-defence) in 1969, while stationed in Korea with the U.S. Air Force.  He was schooled for the wrestling ring by Walter Kowalski, and billed as “Superstar” Richard Byrne, largely confined his career to New England.   His major wrestling venture abroad was to New Japan, where he ultimately faced Tatsumi “Dragon” Fujinami in a major match after being pushed as a martial arts outsider.

 

The claim to martial arts expertise was legitimate, and grew continually over the years.  Ultimately, Richard became a Grandmaster, 9th Dan black belt in Tang Soo Do, and also held black belts in Shotokan and Tae Kwan Do.  He owned Byrne’s Tang Soo Do Karate Studios, and in 1973 was the founder of the American Tang Soo Do Association.  He frequently competed in high-level shootfighting competitions in Japan and elsewhere, his martial arts reputation carried him into the world of movies and TV, and he authored a book and many articles over the years.

 

Richard is survived by his wife Paula, a brother and sister, and several step-brothers and sisters.

 

Thanks to the Cauliflower Alley Club for the above.