Clarence P. Murray, Head Instructor of Murray's Okinawan Karate, currently holds the rank of 7th Degree Black Belt (Nanadan) in the Okinawan Shorin-Ryu style of Karate.

Kyoshi Murray began studying martial arts in 1963.  He received his black belt in Karate in 1969 and has taught the martial arts to students of all ages for over thirty years in the Washington Metro area.

Kyoshi Murray competed in Karate tournaments from 1969 to 1993.  He won over 300 trophies and awards competing in forms, weapons and sparring.  Kyoshi Murray is nationally known for his expertise in Okinawan weapons, specializing in the Sai.

The Martial Arts Practitioners named Clarence Murray Outstanding Referee in Region 10 (1980) and Outstanding Weapons Competitor in 1982.  He received Chief Referee Awards, Outstanding Performance Awards from the famed Capitol Classics, the Everhart's Nippon Kenpo Karate-Do Living Legend Award, and was inducted into the North American Black Belt Hall of Fame.

Kyoshi Murray has been featured in the Washington Times, Official Karate, Karate Illustrated and Black Belt magazines, and in local broadcast, television and cable media.  Clarence Murray and his weapons demo team were featured on ABC Wide World of Sports in 1975.

Kyoshi Murray credits his martial arts skills and abilities to some of the best Okinawan Karate Masters of this era.  They are: James Coffman 7th Dan, Willie Adams 9th Dan, Frank Hargrove 8th Dan, Jody Paul 8^th Dan, and William Hayes 7th Dan.  Other Martial Arts Master include the late John Osaka 8th Dan (Kodokan Judo), John Nagouchi 7th Dan (Aikido) and Jiro Shiroma 8^th Dan (Shorin-Ryu).