He may not have gained the popularity or fame of Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee or any other famous martial artist, but he believes he has left a positive mark in the world of martial arts and made some helpful contributions.

Doctor Kent Clayborn recently traveled to Burbank, California, where he was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

“It took me by surprise,” Clayborn said. “I received a call saying I had been nominated and excepted to join the ranks of many various martial artists in the Hall of Fame. I am proud to have been inducted into the Hall of Fame along with two of my instructors.”

Kent began his martial-arts training in 1974. He was introduced to martial arts by his older brother Lewis, who studied the arts while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Kent took weekly classes from Mickey Gomez of Wichita, taking classes once a week at Butler Community College, where he was taught the discipline of Tae Kwan Do.

Clayborn received his brown belt before being introduced to Gomez’s chief instructor, Sam Price. From there, he continued studying, switching over to Price’s style of Goju Karate. Kent has competed in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, and has accompanied his own students to New Orleans and Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was an active competitor through 2005, when he won the Overall Grand Champion title in the men’s Black Belt division at the Marc Unger Tournament in California.

Clayborn currently operates his karate school in El Dorado, which he opened in 1982. He teaches kids and adults as well as private classes. He also teaches Women’s Fitness with Self-Defense classes. He has done numerous demonstrations and seminars for school functions, sports, businesses, groups and special events, as well as the State Board of Education at Kansas University.

Kent received his Ph.D/ Ma.D.Sc, Doctorates of Martial Arts Philosophy and Martial Science, provided by the University of Asian Martial Arts Study. He had to meet a certain criteria of requirements in order to receive his degree.

“You must have had over 30 years over martial-arts study and be at least 35 years of age and have contributed something positive to the martial arts,” Clayborn said. “You must also hold the ranks of sixth-degree black belt or higher. I am currently a seventh-degree black belt.”

The induction will be recorded in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.