Masters Hall of Fame Press Release

For Immediate Release

Costa Mesa, CA April 4, 2009 - It is the Masters Hall of Fame distinct honor to announce the Legend Don “The Dragon” Wilson has accepted the Masters Hall of Fame’s invitation to be the guest speaker for the 10th Annual Masters Hall of Fame Awards banquet held in conjunction with the Steve Cooper’s IKC Long Beach International Karate Tournament on August 8th, 2009. Don will join Sheriff Sniff as guest speakers at the 2009 Masters Hall of Fame extravaganza.

Don "the Dragon" Wilson's humble beginnings started in Cocoa Beach, Florida where his father worked as an engineer for NASA. Don was an honors student and a standout high school athlete. After high school Don attended the Coast Guard Academy where he studied engineering just as his father did.

Don was to me a military officer; until he discovered martial arts, specifically the world of kickboxing. Don started his professional kickboxing career in 1974, and by 1979 he was the PKA U.S. middleweight champion. Don began working with PKA World Champion, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and in 1980; so after he won the WKA Light-Heavyweight World Championship, his first World title.

Later in 1980, he won his second World title, the STAR Light-Heavyweight Championship; and in 1982, he won the WKO World Light-Heavyweight title. In 1983, he took the KICK World Light-Heavyweight title, and later in the year added the WKA World Cruiserweight title to his collection of Kick Boxing Championships.
In 1984, Don won Super Light-Heavyweight World titles in both the WKA and STAR organizations, and culminated with STAR Career Champion; Don was considered The Highest rated Kickboxer of all time. By the time Don hung up the gloves, he had won 2 more World titles under the sanctions of ISKA, and the PKO. "The Dragon" is considered to be the greatest champion in the history of professional kick boxing with 11 World titles in 3 different weight classes under 6 different sanctioning organizations.

Don "The Dragon" Wilson held the title of World Champion for 11 straight years, defeating 12 other world champions, 12 number-one contenders and 15 National Champions on four continents. No other professional athlete has ever come close to matching the Dragons accomplishments.

As a Champions Champion, Don completely dominated kickboxing world as the Undisputed World Kickboxing Champion, fighting anyone, under any rules. Don's impressive career record consists of 71 wins, 47 by knockout, and 6 by kick-knockout, and he was also the first kung-fu practitioner to become a World Kickboxing Champion.
In 1996, Don was named the Greatest Competitor of All Time by Kickside magazine in Europe.

After Don beat every Champion that would fight him, he hung up his gloves and started a new career as a Hollywood Action Star, where he has starred in 29 films since his film career began in 1989.
The lessons taken from his martial arts training prepared Don for his many Hollywood opportunities; his dedication and work ethic made him a one of the hardest working Action Stars in Hollywood with five films released within a fourteen month period.
Today you can see Don on the intense Sci-Fi Action film called "The Last Sentinel", which he considers one of his best. Don shares the screen along side two other co-stars, Katee Sackhoff, you may remember her as Starbuck from Battlestar Galactica and Bokeem Woodbine from Blade: The Series.

“Grandmaster Don “The Dragon” Wilson has been an active leader in the Martial Arts Community for over 35 years; he is an excellent example to today’s warriors. ” said Daniel Hect, Chairman and CEO of the Masters Hall of Fame. "I was extremely happy when Don agreed to be the Guest Speaker for the Masters Hall of Fame’s 10th Anniversary;" Hect added.

The Masters Hall of Fame mission is to Recognize Excellence in the Martial Arts, both Grandmaster Don “The Dragon” Wilson and Sensei Stanley Sniff who is the Riverside County Sheriff are exceptional example of the outstanding leadership in today’s Warrior Community.
For more information on the 2009 Masters Hall of Fame Awards Banquet, contact Daniel Hect at 951-538-9357 or visit the Masters Hall of Fame Website.