Bio-Sibok Clay Micheau

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​Clay Micheau's Martial Arts Background

Clay Micheau stands as one of the most enduring figures in Washington State’s Kenpo community, with a career shaped by early mentorship, competitive success, and decades of teaching. His martial arts journey began in 1978 under Sibok Maria Warwick, one of the foundational instructors of Aberdeen Kenpo Karate. Warwick’s influence on the region was profound, and Micheau’s early development under her guidance placed him within a lineage that would later define much of Washington’s Shaolin Kenpo identity. Micheau earned his initial rank in 1982, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to the art.

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By the early 1980s, Micheau had already become a key contributor to the Aberdeen Kenpo Karate school. He served as one of the final instructors at the historic H Street location before its closure in 1983, a moment that symbolized the end of an era for the original school. When Warwick retired from teaching due to medical reasons that same year, Micheau stepped forward to help preserve her legacy. In 1984, he opened his own school on E. Wishkah Street, continuing the tradition of Shaolin Kenpo instruction in the Aberdeen area. His school operated from 1984 to 1986, during which time he balanced teaching with intensive personal training and tournament preparation.

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Tournament competition played a major role in Micheau’s martial arts identity during the 1980s. He was known for his disciplined training regimen, often practicing with heavy bags to refine power and body mechanics. His competitive mindset was shaped in part by training with Steve Curran, a prominent figure in International Freestyle Karate. Micheau’s dedication paid off: he earned a National Forms Title, adding a significant accolade to his martial arts résumé. His tournament preparation emphasized adaptability—changing an opponent’s height, width, and depth to disrupt counterattacks—a principle consistent with Shaolin Kenpo’s structural manipulation strategies.

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Beyond competition, Micheau’s martial arts experience extended into the entertainment industry. He worked in film and even appeared in an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger, demonstrating the versatility of his skill set and his ability to translate martial arts performance into media contexts. He also trained with legendary martial artists Joe Lewis and Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, both icons in American kickboxing and karate. These experiences broadened his technical perspective and connected him to national‑level martial arts networks.

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Micheau’s formal rank achievements reflect both breadth and depth across multiple systems. He currently holds a 6th Degree Black Belt in Shaolin Kenpo within the International Shaolin Kenpo Association (ISKA) and a 7th Degree Black Belt in International Freestyle Karate under Steve Curran. These ranks place him among the highest‑ranking Kenpo practitioners in Washington State and demonstrate mastery across both traditional and freestyle approaches.

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His teaching career is equally distinguished. Micheau has taught Shaolin Kenpo uninterrupted for more than eleven years, contributing to the continuity of the art in Washington State. He is a central figure in Shaolin Kenpo Martial Arts of Olympia (SKMAO), a club‑based organization that emphasizes community, lineage, and non‑commercial instruction. SKMAO operates on a donation‑only model, reflecting Micheau’s belief that martial arts should remain accessible and grounded in tradition rather than commercial pressures.

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His influence extends beyond regular instruction. Micheau plays a major role in the annual Washington State Shaolin Kenpo reunions, events that bring together practitioners from across decades of training. These reunions celebrate lineage, respect, and the shared journey of martial artists who have trained together over the years. Micheau is frequently pictured among senior instructors at these gatherings, reinforcing his status as a pillar of the community.

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Historically, Micheau’s contributions helped bridge the gap between the original Aberdeen Kenpo Karate era and the modern Shaolin Kenpo community. After Warwick’s retirement, he and Mike Skinner Sr. became the primary carriers of her lineage. Micheau’s school in the mid‑1980s kept the art alive during a transitional period, while Skinner later reopened Aberdeen Kenpo Karate in 1992 with Warwick’s blessing. Together, their efforts ensured that Warwick’s teachings continued into the 21st century.

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Photographic archives from 1984–2001 show Micheau actively training, teaching, and competing. These images depict him practicing tournament techniques, refining heavy‑bag striking, and working with fellow martial artists such as Keith Bowers. They illustrate a practitioner deeply committed to technical excellence and continuous improvement.

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Today, Micheau’s legacy is defined not only by rank or accolades but by the community he has helped cultivate. SKMAO emphasizes respect, self‑defense, and physical fitness—values Micheau has embodied throughout his career. His leadership helps maintain a culture where practitioners of all ages and backgrounds can train without commercial barriers, focusing instead on skill, discipline, and camaraderie.

 

In summary, Clay Micheau’s Kenpo Karate background is a tapestry woven from decades of training, teaching, competition, and mentorship. Beginning under Maria Warwick in 1978, he rose to become one of Washington State’s most senior Shaolin Kenpo practitioners. His achievements include high‑level black belt ranks, national tournament success, film industry experience, and a central role in preserving and advancing Shaolin Kenpo in the Pacific Northwest. Through SKMAO and his ongoing instruction, Micheau continues to shape the next generation of martial artists, ensuring that the lineage he inherited remains vibrant, accessible, and rooted in tradition.