Our Story

Master Herb Padigimus and Master Lynn Myers met in Cache Valley in the late 1980s. Both were brown belts at the time: Herb in American Kenpo and Lynn in Chung Do Kwan Taekwondo. The two became friends competing in open-style tournaments, and they competed regularly while receiving their black belts. 

In 1989, Lynn founded White Tiger, his Taekwondo and karate school here in Logan, Utah. Around that time, Herb started teaching Kenpo in the area as well under the name Mountain High Academy. The two continued competing and judging tournaments together throughout the '90s, including at the Kick Drugs Out of Cache Valley tournament. 

Despite training in different styles, Herb and Lynn instantly recognized camaraderie. Both stated the first thing they admired about each other--after skill levels, of course--was the other's humility and kindness. 

Lynn says, "Herb was reserved, he didn't have anything to prove, and he was always making it fun"--not like many of the martial arts instructors during that time. 

Herb says, "Lynn was stalwart and confident, smiling all the time." He could tell Lynn had the same passion for the art that he did. They remain kindred spirits in many areas of their lives, dedicated to perpretuating the arts of karate and Kenpo and safeguarding their martial arts community. 

Master Herb Padigimus was a close friend and personal student of Grandmaster Paul Mills. In 1980, his martial arts journey began alongside Mr. Mills in the International Kenpo Karate Association (I.K.K.A.). Herb earned his 1st- and 2nd-degree black belts under Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker, before the Founder's death in 1990. With the I.K.K.A., Herb was eventually promoted to 5th-degree black belt.

When Mr. Mills started his own Kenpo association (American Kenpo Karate International) in Wyoming, Herb was the first to support him and join. With Grandmaster Mills and the A.K.K.I., Herb eventually promoted to 8th-degree black belt. 

Mr. Herb Padigimus is the senior founder of the Ultimate Impact American Kenpo Alliance (U.I.A.K.A.), an interdisciplinary martial arts alliance based in Blackfoot, Idaho, that seeks to carry on Mr. Mills's legacy while unifying with other masters and students. He has taught thousands of students and promoted over 30 to black belt and beyond. In 2021, eleven years after receiving his 8th degree, Herb was promoted by the Executive Board of the U.I.A.K.A. and 100+ black belts and students to 9th-degree Master of the Arts. Herb serves as a co-host and arbitrator for our tournament.

Master Lynn R. Myers earned his yellow belt in Chung Do Kwan Taekwondo testing in Chicago under the world-famous Lee Won-Kuk, the founder of "Korean Karate" ("Tang Soo Do," which would become "Taekwondo" in 1955) and a direct student of the "Father of Modern Karate," Gichin Funikoshi. After years of study in Taekwondo in Utah, Lynn had the opportunity to test again under a martial arts legend when Chung Yong-taek, one of only five 9th-degree Chung Do Kwan masters in the world, travelled to Logan, Utah, to test five black-belt candidates. According to a 1987 KUTV News report, Lynn Myers was the only one who passed. 

Lynn Myers's martial arts journey was just beginning. He went on to earn a third-degree black belt in Chung Do Kwan while pursuing a second black belt, this time in Chiryoku Rikiji karate (a sparring-focused style). Year later, after competing in the Internationals in Las Vegas, Lynn was promoted to Chiryoku Rikiji Red Belt (a master's belt) by the style's founder, Master Brent Undhjem of Logan, Utah. 

In 2011, Lynn began formal study of Chinese Kenpo under Grandmaster Tony Martinez Sr., a student of I.K.K.A. co-founder Mills Crenshaw and Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker. After a year of study, he was rank-matched promoted to 5th degree black belt in Chinese Kenpo by Mr. Martinez. Lynn has taught Chung Do Kwan, karate, and Chinese Kenpo to hundreds of students and has promoted over 20 to black belt in one--or multiple--of the three arts. He currently holds an 8th-degree black belt in Chinese Kenpo under Mr. Martinez and continues to teach Kenpo, Chung Do Kwan, and karate at White Tiger Kenpo Karate. With Herb, Lynn is a co-host of our tournament.

Herb and Lynn met as tigers and now truly have become dragons. They promote unleashing the tiger within while remaining the tempered dragon that knows when to diffuse rather than fight. They started The Tiger and the Dragon tournament in 2024 in honor of the day they met and in continuation of their friendship. They also continue to honor the grandmasters that brought them up and under whom they have had the privilege of learning, growing, and training.