The roots of MKS were sparked by an interest in Isshinryu Karate, which was the first style that Shihan Martin was exposed to. In 1964, Shihan Raymond W. Martin started Isshinryu Karate under Mr. Edmund Alexander. He continued under Mr. Don Nagle , from whom he received his black belt.
Soon after Mr. Martin opened two Schools in the Bayshore area; one School was in Red Bank and the other was on Hightway 35 in Holmdel.
At that time, other martial arts were being introduced to this country, in particular Tae Kwon Do, which is of Korean origin and placed heavy emphasis on kicking techniques. One of the most respected instructors in this style was Master Chung Koo Kim, whom Shihan Martin continued his martial arts education.
At that time Master C.K. Kim was one of the highest Korean Masters teaching in the United States. Master Kim taught a style of Tae Kwon Do called Ji Do Kwan. One of the nine founding schools of Tae Kwon Do.
In order to expand the scope of the MKS system, classical boxing and kick boxing were introduced in the early 1970's.
Two of the most notable fighters at that time were Mr. Chuck Norris and Mr. Joe Lewis (the Karate Champion, not the boxer), both of whom had a distinct influence on Shihan's thinking. These men did a great deal of cross training, which Shihan felt was beneficial to the MKS system.
Other notable fighters who influence Shihan and the M.K.S. System were Kickboxing Champion Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and World Karate Champion Mike Stone, who taught Priscilla Presley.
In fact, those whom Shihan competed with, were taught by, has taught and were friends with, would fill a book of who's who in American Martial Arts.
To further round out the system Shihan has continued his martial arts education with the study of Judo under Olympic Coach, Mr. Yoshisada Yonezuka and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu under Mr. David Adiv and Mr. Royler Gracie.
Shihan Martin continued his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training with Mr. Renzo Gracie who Shihan received his Black Belt in BJJ. Through his training Mr. Martin has became a good friend of Mr. Renzo Gracie
