About
"NSEYET (Insight)" is a traveling motorhome video podcast born from a long-held vision of Ray Hughes—a dream over a decade in the making. With 50 years immersed in the world of martial arts, Ray’s journey has taken him through nearly every facet of the discipline: competitor, devoted instructor, tournament official, dojo owner, and nonprofit leader. Through these experiences, he’s gained profound perspectives on human nature, personal growth, and the deeper philosophies that lie at the heart of martial arts.
The journey begins in Arizona, where Ray will sit down with local martial artists to share their stories. From there, the podcast will expand across the country, capturing the voices of martial art masters from all walks of life. Traveling by motorcoach, there is no set order—guests will be chosen not by rank, fame, or notoriety, but by the richness of their experience and authenticity of their voice.
The mission of "INSIGHT" is to introduce these influential martial artists to the world—not just as practitioners and fighters, but as thinkers, teachers, and human beings. Listeners will hear stories that shaped lives, confront hard truths about today’s martial arts landscape, and explore topics often left in the shadows: the female perspective in martial arts, sport versus tradition, ego, bias, prejudice, and more.
At its core, "INSIGHT" aims to serve as a compass for others walking the martial path. Because martial arts is more than punches and throws—it’s a way of life.
Ray Hughes
Background
Senseis Moore, Jepperson, Merriman, & Ray Hughes
Senseis Moore, Jepperson, Merriman, & Ray Hughes
Ray Hughes is the retired owner of Scottsdale and Chandler Martial Arts Centers. These schools are one of the oldest and largest martial arts schools in Arizona. He is the President of Arizona Wado and was recently a member of the Technical Committee of USA Karate.
Mr. Hughes holds a USA Karate National AA referee license, PKF AA referee
Ray Hughes is the retired owner of Scottsdale and Chandler Martial Arts Centers. These schools are one of the oldest and largest martial arts schools in Arizona. He is the President of Arizona Wado and was recently a member of the Technical Committee of USA Karate.
Mr. Hughes holds a USA Karate National AA referee license, PKF AA referee license, and WKF BB judge license
Ray started training in Wado karate in 1976 under the instruction of Sensei Marlon Moore in Mesa, Arizona. He went full-time karate in 1986 and built his own dojo building in 2002.
Extended Bio
• Retired Owner and Chief Karate Instructor - Scottsdale Martial Arts Center, Inc. Established in 1986
• Started training Wado Karate in 1976 under the instruction of Marlon Moore
• 7th Dan USA Karate-Do KyoKai
• 6th Dan issued by the late Dan Ivan
• 6th Dan issued by United States National Karate-Do Federation (USNKF)
• 5th Dan issued by JKF Wado Kai
• 4th Dan issued by Wado Ryu
• 2nd Dan International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF)
• President of USAWADO
• Vice-President of Arizona Wado Karate Association
• Editor of the past international newsletter "Wado"
Career Accomplishments:
• 1998
o National Champion Gold Medal - USNKF (Untied States National Karate Federation);
o Over 40 Kumite (Sparring).
• 1997
o National Champion Gold Medal - USNKF (Untied States National Karate Federation);
o Over 40 Kumite (Sparring).
• 1986
o Outstanding Competitor - Traditional Karate Championships, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Awarded trip to Japan;
o Grand Champion - USA Wado Karate Championships (Utah Open);
defeated three-time grand champion;
o Competitor of the Year - USA Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Federation;
o School of the Year - USA Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Federation.
USA Team Competition:
• 1989
o World Wado Championships; London, England.
• 1988
o All Japan Wado-Ryu Championships; Yokohama, Japan; Team USA wins silver medal.
• 1985
o USA vs. Canada National Team; Vancouver, Canada; Team USA wins gold medal.
• 1984
o All Japan Wado-Ryu Karate Championships; Tokyo, Japan;
o USA vs. Canadian National Team; Orange County, California; Team USA wins gold medal.
Individual Black Belt Competition:
YEAR TOURNAMENT EVENT PLACE
2005 Food Raising Tournament Team Competition 1st
Central Arizona Karate Championships Kumite Grand Champion
2004 Central Arizona Karate Championships Kumite Grand Champion
Ozawa Cup - Las Vegas, Nevada Team Competition; 40 & Over 1st
2003 Central Arizona Karate Championships Kumite Grand Champion
USA Open Karate Championship Team Team Competition 1st
2002 City of Commerce - California Kata; 35 & Over 1st
City of Commerce - California Kumite; 35 & Over 1st
City of Commerce - California Grand Championship Lost by half a point.
1999 USA Wado-Ryu Championships - California Kumite; 35 & Over 1st
USA Wado-Ryu Championships - California Kata; 35 & Over 1st
1998 USA-NKF Nationals - Louisiana Kumite; 40 & Over 1st
Glendale Karate Championships - Arizona Team Kumite 1st
1997 USA-NKF Nationals - Colorado Kumite; 40 & Over 1st
Shiai '97 - Arizona Kumite 1st
1996 USA Wado-Ryu Championships - California Kumite; 35 & Over 1st
USA Wado-Ryu Championships Kata; 35 & Over
2nd
1993 Itosu-Kai/Jundokan Invitational - Arizona Kata 2nd
1989 19th Annual Utah Open Kumite; Heavyweight 2nd
7th Annual Southwest Karate Invitational - Arizona Kumite 1st
7th Annual Southwest Karate Invitational - Arizona Kata 3rd
7th Annual Southwest Karate Invitational - Arizona Outstanding Competitor
18th Annual Friendship Karate Championships - California Kumite 2nd
City of Commerce 14th Annual Karate Championships - California Kumite 2nd
1988 18th Annual Utah Open Kumite; Lightweight 2nd
15th Annual Riverside National Invitational - California Kumite 2nd
Mesa Karate Invitational - Arizona Team Kumite 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational - Arizona Kata 2nd
Mesa Karate Invitational - Arizona Kumite 1st
All Japan Wado-Ryu International Karate Championships - Yokohama, Japan Team Kumite 2nd
Japan Karate Federation 17th Annual Karate Championships - California Kumite 3rd
1987 6th Annual Glendale Invitational Karate Championships - Arizona Kumite 1st
International Martial Arts Federation Karate Championships - Las Vegas, Nevada Kumite 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational - Arizona Kumite 1st
16th Annual Friendship Karate Championships - California Kumite 1st
Southwest Karate Invitational - Arizona Kumite 2nd
1986 5th Annual Glendale Invitational Karate Championships - Arizona Kumite 1st
Southeast Utah Karate Championships Kumite 1st
Southeast Utah Karate Championships Kata 1st
16th Annual Utah Open Kumite; Lightweight 1st
16th Annual Utah Open Kumite Grand Champion
15th Annual Friendship Karate Championships - California Kumite 1st
City of Commerce 11th Annual Karate Championships - California Kumite 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational - Arizona Kumite 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational - Arizona Kata 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational - Arizona Team Kumite 1st
1985 Southeast Utah Karate Championships Kumite 1st
15th Annual Utah Open Kumite; Heavyweight 1st
National Karate Association of Canada Karate Championships - Canada Team Kumite 1st
City of Commerce 10th Annual Karate Championships - California Kumite 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational - Arizona Kumite 1st
1984 14th Annual Utah Open Kumite; Lightweight 1st
Mesa Karate Invitational - Arizona Team Kumite 2nd
Japan Karate Federation 13th Annual Karate Championships - California Kumite 2nd
Japan Karate Federation 13th Annual Karate Championships - California Team Kumite; USA vs. Canada 1st
1983 13th Annual Utah Open - Utah Kumite; Lightweight 2nd
W.K.O. Full Contact Karate - Arizona Winner by Unanimous Decision
2nd Annual Mesa Karate Championships - Arizona Kumite 1st
1982 11th Annual Friendship Karate Championships - California Kumite 1st
Glendale Open Karate Championships - Arizona Kumite 2nd
Mesa Karate Championships - Arizona Kumite 1st
1981 National GKFA Friendship Karate Championships - California Kumite 3rd
11th Annual Utah Open - Utah Kumite 2rd
1980 Great Western Classic - Arizona Kumite 1st
9th Annual Friendship Karate Championships - California Kumite 2nd
Senseis Moore, Jepperson, Merriman, & Ray Hughes
Senseis Moore, Jepperson, Merriman, & Ray Hughes
Senseis Moore, Jepperson, Merriman, & Ray Hughes
Ray Hughes holds dan (black belt) ranks in Wado Ryu (4th), JKF Wado Kai (5th), USNKF (6th), 6th dan awarded by the late Dan Ivan, 7th dan from USA Karate-do KyoKai with Sensei Chuck Merriman and Sensei Lee Gray on the testing board, and USA Wado Federation (7th).
Competition Highlights
Senseis Moore, Jepperson, Merriman, & Ray Hughes
Competition Highlights
Mr. Hughes had an extensive competition career that covered the 70s through the 2000s. In addition to numerous local and regional competition championships, Ray competed on 5 USA Karate Teams, two that won gold and one that won silver. His highlight year was 1986 when he was voted outstanding competitor at the Osawa Traditional Karate Ch
Mr. Hughes had an extensive competition career that covered the 70s through the 2000s. In addition to numerous local and regional competition championships, Ray competed on 5 USA Karate Teams, two that won gold and one that won silver. His highlight year was 1986 when he was voted outstanding competitor at the Osawa Traditional Karate Championships in Las Vegas and awarded a trip to Japan, voted outstanding competitor at the USA Wado Ryu Karate Championships in Utah, and voted school and competitor of the year by USA Wado.