Bendell Karate

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When taught and studied correctly, the martial arts are a multi-dimensional, multi-faceted path toward positive development of character.

Students learn to face and overcome many self-limiting fears and inner weaknesses in the training process because it offers gradually progressive challenges both mentally and physically.

As students learn—and as martial artists know—the greatest battles are not against external enemies, but within each of us. Correct martial arts training teaches us how to face both battles honorably.

Thank you for visiting our Web site, and we invite you to visit our Caon City and Pueblo West studios.
Grand Master Don Bendell and Master Shirley Bendell

5thdegree black belt Master Shirley Bendell of Florence, Colorado, was shocked and surprised at a banquet at the Pueblo Shrine Club Hall at Pueblo West, Colorado, when she was inducted into the International Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame, joining her husband Grandmaster Don Bendell, a 1995 inductee, to become the first husband and wife ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Former World Champion and 1988 inductee Grandmaster Bob Chaney flew in from Temecula, California, to make the surprise induction. Public about being a former victim of gang and acquaintance rape, Master Bendell was cited for her renowned Sexual Assault Prevention clinics for women and girls which have saved many females from rape and domestic assault; her innovative Mini-Ninja program for 3, 4, and 5 year olds which was the first of its kind in southern Colorado and is now copied by every major school in the state; and it was brought out that Master Shirley Bendell when competing in tournament competition not only won first place every time she fought, she has never had one single point scored against her by another woman in sparring competition.
With tears flowing before the audience of several hundred, Master Bendell was first surprised with a “This is Your Life- Shirley Bendell” ceremony with one of her 2 Green Beret sons on his way to Afghanistan walking out in his dress greens, as well as her oldest son and his family, her 2 best friends from high school in Youngstown, Ohio, in the late sixties, and other family members and friends who flew in from all over the country. Messages of congratulations were read from friends Bo Derek , H. Ross Perot, and other celebrities.
A grandmother of 7, mother of 3, and step-mother of 3; Master Bendell owns and operates Bendell Karate in Pueblo West and Canon City with her husband and is a 5th degree black belt master instructor in Song Moo Kwan Tae Kwon Do, Freestyle Karate, Shita Jujitsu, and Judo.

Husband Don applauds while sons Don Bendell, Jr. and Josh bring in her Hall of Fame plaque and Shirley Bendell cries while being inducted by Grandmaster Bob Chaney.
Don and Shirley Bendell goof around while posing for pictures in front of their twin Hall of Fame plaques.