01/26/2026
Sensei Sharkey always believed the focus should be on the students, the competitors, and the future of the sport. One of his final wishes was that his passing would not overshadow the 2026 AKA Warrior Cup, the 60th year of the event he took ownership of and built into one of the most prestigious open sport martial arts tournaments in the world.
Sensei Sharkey passed away the day following the tournament, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy—and a community of friends, family, and students who loved him deeply.
This tribute video is by one of those friends, Richard Plowden, who knew Sensei Sharkey since 1979. It is a heartfelt reflection on their friendship and on the man whose life and leadership shaped generations of martial artists.
We invite you to watch, remember, and honor Sensei Sharkey through the words of someone who truly knew him.