Meet the Owners
Mr. Richard Lee (Coach Rick)
Mr. Lee is the Owner and Chief Instructor of Spartanburg Martial Arts
Inc. Mr. Lee is a 4th Degree Black Belt in American Karate and has been
training in martial arts since 1986. Mr. Lee is a Spartanburg native
and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wendell J. Lee. Mr. Lee is also a graduate
of Dorman High School and Clemson University.Mr. Lee attained his martial arts instruction and Black Belt degrees from Mr. Marty Knight (8th Degree) of Anderson, South Carolina. Mr. Lee was a member of Mr. Knight’s nationally recognized competition team. Mr. Lee personally earned a national title in sport karate fighting in 1991 and a place in the Professional Karate League Hall of Fame. He also traveled with Mr. Knight to the Soviet Union and China to compete in international competitions and participate in good will exchanges with martial artists of many different styles.
Mr. Lee’s accomplishments in the realm of martial arts are notable, but he is most proud of the accomplishments of his students. He firmly believes that martial arts is the best way to gain self discipline, self confidence, and to learn to live a healthy, goal oriented life-style.
Mrs. Christin Nicole lee (Coach Nicki)
Mrs. Lee is co-owner and also Chief Instructor of Spartanburg Martial Arts Inc. She is a 5th Degree Black Belt in American Karate and has been training in martial arts since 1982. Mrs. Lee is a native of Anderson, SC. She is a graduate of T.L. Hanna High School and also attended Anderson College, and USC Upstate.
Mrs. Lee attained her martial arts instruction and Black Belt Degrees from Mr. Marty Knight. Mrs. Lee also holds advanced certification in Fitness Kickboxing instruction from the National Association of Professional Martial Artist.
Mrs. Lee moved to Spartanburg in 1992 in order to attend college at USCS. Later that year she began teaching with Mr. Lee at his first school. Spartanburg Martial Arts grew quickly and Mrs. Lee became the program director and head instructor for the children’s program in 1994.
Mrs. Lee is best known for her remarkable competitive career in sportkarate competitions. Competing as an adult Black Belt since age 13, Mrs. Lee won the women’s overall Black Belt Sparring Championship in every major sport karate event. Her domination over the women’s sparring divisions from 1990 until 2001 gained her the recognition of being the “best Overall Women’s Sport Karate Fighter of the Decade”. Some of her most impressive accomplishments are: 5 North American Sport Karate Titles, 2 NBL World Titles, 8 Diamond Nationals Grand Championships, and the 1998 United States Olympic Team Trials Heavy Wt. Gold Medal winner. Mrs. Lee was also a member of the 1998 United States Taekwondo Team, and WKA International Team. Apart from her competitive career Mrs. Lee loves the 3 & 4 year old “Little Ninjas” classes the most at SMA. Her favorite part of being a martial arts teacher is seeing the excitement and confidence in a young child’s face when he or she receives their first belt.