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 NEW MEMBERS

 

 

 

 

 

HANSHI FLEMMING TAO JINZEN SCHROTER 

COUNTRY: DENMARK

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Hanshi 8 Dan Kyokushin Karate received his promotion
from Kaicho Jon Bluming 10 Dan in 2006.

World Guinness Book of Records Hall of Fame "The Bottle Cut 1984".

Danish Kyokushin Karate Champion.
Won seven times in a row from 1976 - 1982:
1976 middleweight, 1977 lightweight, 1978 heavyweight,
1979 Open weight division, 1980 middleweight division and in
Open weight division (Double) karate champion and in 1981 Danish Champion in heavyweight division.

94 fights. Win 88: Lose: 5. Draw 1.

Japanese Kyokushin Karate Champion for Masters +39  2011
( Sosai memorial Cup Tokyo )
1st place Switzerland Open 1983
2nd place Holland Open (Open Division), for best technique 1983
2nd place British Open 1981
Won Prof Thaiboxing Fight 1981 Paris

1st place at the 2nd European Kyokushin Karate Tournament 1982 London
1st place European Tameshiwari Tournament 1982 London

successfully made 50 Man Kumite with Kyokushin rules with face punch and elbow strike
Paris 1981.

Branch chief for IKOK Sosai Kyokushinkaikan Denmark Oct. 2008.
Branch chief for Kancho Hatsuo Royama 9 Dan´s Kyokushin-kan karate in Denmark Nov. 2011.


  

 



 

 

O-SENSEI HAROLD E. SHARP

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Harold E. Sharp in 1945 was deployed by the US Army in the occupation of Japan which was the beginning of a life time love affair with the Martial Arts. Sharp San as he likes to be called is truly from the old school. He competed in and won Japan's 1st Foreigner Judo Championships in 1954 and was presented with a beautiful silver sake cup from the Prince of Japan as his award. Not only was Hal Sharp a Judoka and a competitive Judoka he was an avid writer, photographer, cinematographer and had a passion for anything Japanese. He not only studied with the best martial artists in Post W.W.II but he also photographed them and filmed them plus he was the personal body guard of the Emperor Of Japan on one occasion and he even photographed him getting him to smile for the camera which was unheard of in those days. He was so talented and well liked in Japan's Kodokan that Judo Giant Kyuzo Mifune (Judo's legendary 10th Dan) sent a special representative to ask Sharp to come train with him but doing the honorable thing he politely declined as he was training with his Sensei Kawakami in one of the small village dojo's in the outskirts of Tokyo. Sharp San described in his own words what was it like to train and to know these great Japanese Martial Arts Masters. Kyuzo Mifune - "Well Kyuzo Mifune was simply poetry in motion. Watching him one could truly understand what is meant by the sweet spot (this the point where there is no chance for your opponent) in Judo. He could hit it nearly every time. He was a small man in statute but no one could throw him he seemed to float across the floor he was just so smooth plus he was a real gentlemen." Gichin Funakoshi - "What amazed me about Funakoshi Sensei was the undaunting respect he was given by his students. They almost seemed to worship the ground he walked on. He had this almost glow about him of niceness." Gogen Yamaguichi - Well Gogen Yamaguichi and I actually became very very good friends. He asked me on more then one occasion to come train with him but I was involved deeply in Judo at the time we used to train at least six days a week and sometimes seven and we would train usually 3 hours a night. We were really obsessed. But Yamaguichi had so much charisma it is was amazing and this is the thing that impressed me about him and his breathing forms and how he used that ball and chain. Then there was the time when we were at his dojo and he taught me some self defence moves and then demonstarted on a supporting post in the dojo. It really was amazing the entire building shook and the dust off of the rafters was flying all over the place. He really had a lot of power. Hidetaka Nishiyama - Well I became close to many of the Japanese Sensei's and a Judo Sensei of mine Ishikawa was very good friends of Nishiyama. On one occcasions we went to visit what they called a living God as Ishikawa was really into the mind power of martial arts. He really explored this aspect of martial arts. Nishiyama Ishikawa and I all jumped into my car and went to visit this master and I will only say this Nishiyama and I pulled a good joke on Ishikawa that night. The three of us laughed a lot and we did share a lot of sake. I just met him again after almost 50 years of not seeing him and it was as if time had stood still. All the good memories came back for us both. I gave him a rare photo I took of his Sensei Gichin Funakoshi, I am sure he liked it no one else has this photo as I personally took it and still have the negative of it. Mito Ueyhara and I were very close when Black Belt Magazine started in fact it was I would helped get Black Belt off the ground. A Chinese gentleman came to me and asked if I would help him start a martial arts magazine called Black Belt his name was Edmund Jung. He used to put me in his magazine as a technical adviser all the time and Mito did as well. I introduced him to all the right people back in the early 1960's and then after a couple of months he sold it to Mito who really did something with it. Anyway he asked me to come out to Black Belt and be apart of a round table and discuss the idea of having a martial arts convention with Tsutomo Oshima and some others. There was a young man there that day who was full of energy and was a class act all the way. He was just like the rest of us he was totally enthusiastic with martial arts and was truly a creative and original thinker. He was the absolutely most charismatic person I have ever met his name of course was Bruce Lee. He was small but in excellent shape and totally obsessed with all martial arts just like the rest of us. He was not a big star at the time as he had just finished doing the Green Hornet series but he sure did leave a lasting impression on me. Hal Sharp skills fast became known in Japan not just on the tatami but also in photography. He eventually shot over 5000 still photos and hours upon hours of film including now rare footage of kobudo, karate ( he shot Takayuki Mikami doing Bassai and all the basics of karate in 1955) plus he also shot the 1st World Judo Championships in 1956 in Tokyo. This tournament is what lead Judo to getting into the Olympics in 1964. Hal Sharp is still teaching Judo twice a week in southern California.


  

 

 

 

GRANDMASTER RON VAN CLIEF

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

Grand Master Ron Van Clief has trained and taught Martial Arts well over 40 years. He has appeared internationally on television and radio demonstrating his art, as well as at many colleges and universities. He holds a black belt or the equivalent in Karate, Ju-Jitsu, Aiki-Jitsu, Kung-Fu, Arnis de Mano and Zen Jutsu. Further he is a master of the Sword, Sai, Nunchaku and other martial arts weapons.

 

Grand Master Van Clief is a 10th Degree Red Belt and founder of the Chinese Goju System, with the title "Shidoshi". Ron Van Clief has established more than 25 schools in over 18 countries. He has starred, choreographed, appeared, or assumed roles as stunt man in more than forty motion pictures.

He has competed in more than 900 tournaments during forty years of international competition. He continues to compete in the "All American Annual Championships" held in New York, and most notable, he's a 5 times World Champion.

In 1995, he was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall Fame, with the Life Time Achievement Award. In 2002, he was inducted in the Black Belt Hall of Fame.

He gives demonstrations, seminars, and lectures throughout the world and serves as technical advisor to the United State Secret Service.


  

 

 

 

SIFU ART CAMACHO

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Art Camacho is one of only a handful of Latin film directors in Hollywood today. He began his career as an actor and performing fight action sequences in several martial arts action films. He distinguished himself as one of the top action choreographers in films today with over 50 films and television shows to his credit. He has worked with some of the top martial arts talents around including Steven Seagal, Cynthia Rothrock, Benny Urquidez, Michael Dudikoff, Gary Daniels, and more.

He began his martial arts training in Karate but gravitated towards kung ku. On his way to getting his black belt under kung fu great Eric Lee, he trained in various other methods of martial arts including Kung Fu San Soo, Jeet Kune Do and he was also an amateur boxer.

Camacho has been featured in numerous international magazines throughout the world including Black Belt magazine, Inside Kung Fu, Karate International, and Cinturon Negro. He has also been in cover stories on Masters and Styles, Secrets of the Masters. He had a cover story in England's Martial Arts Illustrated which sold out in record time. He has also been included in both the Who’s Who in Entertainment and the Encyclopedia of Martial Arts. L.A.'s largest Spanish Language Newspaper La Opinion did a cover story on him in their entertainment section. He was also featured on the TV Programs Hola Los Angeles; an exclusive interview for Cinemax hosted by Sharie Belafonte and Mexico's channel 12. Univision's Despierta America and CONTROL did segments that highlighted Camacho's film appearances and featured one of his spectacular dynamic martial arts demonstrations.

In 2003, Art was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum's Hall of Fame (Funakoshi Award). In 2004, Art was appointed as a member of the Museum's Board of Directors. 


  

 

 

 

SOKE JAN-ERIK KARLSSON

COUNTRY: SWEDEN

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Soke Jan-Erik Karlsson is one of Sweden's most respected Martial Artist and a very popular Jiu Jitsu and Iaido Master in the world.
He is the man behind a lot of dojos in the south part of Sweden.

Soke Erik-Karlsson, 10th Dan became one of the finest Jiu Jitsu masters in the world under the able guidance of Japanese master Soke Inoue from Hontai Yoshin Ryu. He is now the Chief Instructor for Hontai Yoshin Ryu in Sweden. Every year he travels to the Honbu Dojo in Japan to develop his skills in the ancient Japanese arts of jujitsu and Iaido.

Soke Karlsson is the founder and Chief Instructor of the Swedish Jujitsu School. Other grades that he holds are: 10 Dan Hoku Shin Ko Ryu Jujutsu, 10 Dan Hontai Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu, 10 Dan Hontai Yoshin Ryu Iaido, 10 Dan Toyama Ryu Iaido and 10 Dan Ninjutsu.


  

 



 

 

SHIHAN KARIPIDIS KOSTAS

COUNTRY: GREECE

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Started martial arts career 3 decades ago as a karate athlete. He participated in many karate championships earning titles and experience. As a first classman in Military Academy he appointed as Chief of Academys Self-Defense Team earning along with his colleagues numerous of distinctions and medals. Later as Military Officer serving his country, he was assigned many times as trainer on the field of self-defense including his duty in Kosovo area (former Yugoslavia) where he provided specialized training in Greeks and US Special forces Unit men. After his retirement he has dedicated his life on the direction of promoting the Japanese pure BUDO/BUJUTSU idealism working hard as Chief-Director of the Greek Association for Traditional Martial Arts Virtue HELLENIC (GREEK) KORYU BUGEI ASSOCIATION (HEKOBA) cooperating with other Japanese authorities/organizations/associations/etc. Hes also the Chairman of Fighting Nunchaku Committee of International Self-Defense Organization (ISDO) under the mission to develop and promote the nunchaku cumite discipline. Mr. Karipidis has been accepted as personal student under the guidance of legendary Japanese martial artists and hes the Greek official coordinator of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK)/Aikijujutsu Branch and received the title of Renshi from the DNBK Board of Directors. He is the first official pioneer who introduced traditional aiki-jujutsu to the Greek pupils. In addition to that, he had been involved in training programs/teaching projects to Police Academy and Vocational Education Institute focusing not only in the field of his specialized military background but also in self-defense/attacking methods. Finally, it should be mentioned that Karipidis sensei was the first Greek martial arts expert who received three (3) times the title of GUINNESS WORLD RECORD (GWR) holder and one (1) time GUINNESS WORLD RECORD (GWR) co-holder from the field of martial arts. In 2010 he broke the Guinness World Record under the title the most martial arts throw in a minute against multiple opponents performing 51 throws instead of 29. One year later he broke again his own record performing 65 throws and named once more as GWR holder. During the same athlete event he also broke another Guinness World Record under the title the most martial arts sword cuts performing 68 sword cuts with a katana sword against targets instead of 30 cuts according to the demands of GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ORGANIZATION/Record Committee. Last but not least, during the same event two of Karipidis senseis best students (mr. Kiourtzidis and mr. Vesexidis) broke another record under the title the most martial arts throw on the same person performing 34 throws instead of 30 making their sensei proud of them and offering the title of co-holder as the man who prepared them for that achievement.

Special note: On Nov.2010 during a TV show in UK (of a well-known Channel) referring to the Guinness World Records, the first record of Karipidis sensei was voted as one of the seven (7) best Guinness World Records of that year (2010).

At this time Karipidis sensei leads his Association expanded countrywide providing specialized training in Aiki-jujutsu, Enshin-Ryu iai-suemonogiri-kempo & fighting nunchaku. He holds special training sessions each year under the authority of Hellenic (Greek) Koryu Bugei Association (HEKOBA), and hes also participating in martial arts festivals, congresses, seminars, lectures, etc, accepting numerous of official invitations by the Organizers. He have edited the book AikiJujutsu/Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, Part I and hes up to finishing of the Part II of the same book, as well as the editing of the Enshin-ryu iai-kempo.

Titles:

Greek Coordinator of Dai Nippon Butoku Kai (DNBK)/Aikijujutsu Branch
Representative of Nippon Koden Fuhshi Muso Kai (Tanaka Fumon Sokes lineage)
Chief-Director Hellenic (Greek) Koryu Bugei Association
Chairman of Fighting Nunchaku Committee /International Self-Defense Organization
Former Administrative Councils Member of Greek-Japanese Association
Renshi/Shihan
Ranks
5 dan Aikijujutsu/DNBK
2 dan Enshin-ryu iai-suemonogiri-kempo

 

 

 

 

 

KAICHO JON BLUMING

COUNTRY: NETHERLANDS

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Kaicho Jon Bluming, was born in 1933 and he lives in Holland. He is regarded as a living legend in the home of Budo Japan. He has been involved with Budo for over forty years, and his list of Japanese issued grades must be unique: Karate l0th Dan, Judo 9th Dan. It would take a book to describe this mans career, so we will just mention some of the highlights of his extraordinary life. He was a royal marine and wounded three times during the Korean War. He received numerous decorations for bravery. Shihan Bluming has had leading and supponting roles in Dutch, Belgium American and Japanese films. In Judo, Kaicho Jon Bluming is of the same stature as Anton Geesink, the Olympic Champion.

It was in 1954 that Kaicho Jon Bluming was awarded his first Dan grade, when the was promoted to lst Dan in Judo. Then in 1956, 2nd dan. In 1957 he was the captain of the Dutch Team which became European Champions. The same year he was promoted to 3rd Dan by Tokyo Hirano (one of the most famous Judokas of the Kodokan) after beating 75 Judoka in 26 minutes at the Summer Camp in Holland. In 1959 he won various Tournaments. Later that year he traveled to Japan to train Judo. He also became interested in Karate and began training in the old Kyokushin Honbu. In November 1959, he was proposed by Donn Draeger and accepted for the Kenshusei class, which is for the 25 best Judo-kas in Japan. He soon climbed to the position of third best after Kaminaga-san and Inokuma-san. In 1960 he defeated Kaminaga-san with his speciallty choke. At his peak, Shihan Bluming was invincible in Judo. Kaicho Jon Bluming also joined the Kendo Federation together with Donn Draeger and trained Bo Jitsu, Iai Jitsu and Kendo in order to better understand the Japanese fighting spirit. By 1961 he became 2nd dan in Kyokushin and he then introduced Kyokushin Karate to Europe. From then on he continued to return to Japan where he was, and still is, regarded as a living legend. Until 1970 Kaicho Jon Bluming was in charge of Kyokushin Karate in Europe.

At that time he resigned in order to concentrate on his business. The promotions kept on coming and in 1980 he started his own organisation, which he named Kyokushin Budokai.

To crown a magnificent career, which is far from over, Kaicho Jon Bluming was promoted to l0th dan in 1994 after the death of his karate sensei, Masutatsu Oyama. As far as we know, Kaicho Jon Bluming is the only European who has ever been promoted to l0th dan in Karate by the Japanese. He is also an advisor of several large Japanese Budo organizations. Now over 70 years of age, Kaicho Jon Bluming still manages with ease, to tie his students into knots in Newaza (grappling). This is despite all the injuries that he has sustained during his career, such as a broken neck, two broken spinal vertebrae in the lower back, and a broken left shoulder. He has also severely damaged both knees. He has broken his right hand three times, his nose twice and most of his toes.

Kaicho most famous students are Chris Dolman, three time World Sambo Champion and Willem Ruska, two time Olympic Champion.

Kaicho Jon Bluming is the holder of following black belts:

10 Dan black belt Kyokushin Karate - Budokai
10 Dan black belt Sei - Budokai Karate
10 Dan black belt - Hapkido from Hapkido Federation in Soul, South Korea
9th Dan black belt Judo


 

 

 

 

BO MUNTHE SENSEI, MACHI-BUGYO

COUNTRY: SWEDEN

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Bo Munthe Sensei, Machi-Bugyo
10 Dan Jiu Jitsu
10 Dan Tai Jutsu
9 Dan Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu

 

Grandfather of European Ninjutsu


Machi Bugyo July 2011 from Dr. Don Cunningham, Edo Machi Kata Taiho Jutsu
Soke July 2005 from Jiu Jitsu International
Hanshi and life time member of Jiu-Jitsu International & World Kobudo Fed. Soke R. Morris 2004
Highest Award from the Swedish Budo Federation, 1997
Honorary President, Bujinkan Dojo Espana 1989, Shihan Pedro Fleitas, Spain
Certificate of Merit, Introductory Course CQB, 1989 Special Air Service, (SAS) Wales
Shidoshi and shihan, (1988), Soke Masaaki Hatsumi
Instructors license, LETA, Law Enforcement Training Agency, (1987) UK
Training course Executive Corporate Security, IBA, (1987), UK
Instructor Police Self Defense Training, Close Combat, (1986) Spain
Bu-fu Yukosho, Honorary medal in gold (1985) Soke Masaaki Hatsumi, Japan
Instructor, CTT, Combat Training Team, (1983) UK

 

 

 

 

GRANDMASTER CARY-HIROYUKI TAGAWA

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Grandmaster Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
(born September 27, 1950) is a Japanese American actor. In addition to his extensive film work, he has appeared on television in Star Trek: The Next Generation - " Encounter at Farpoint " (1987), Thunder in Paradise (1995), Nash Bridges (1996), Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding (2003), and Heroes (2007). He also provided the voice of Sin Tzu for the video game Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu. He played the part of Earth Alliance security officer Morishi in Babylon 5 - " Convictions ". He played a soul-stealing sorcerer Shang Tsung in a film adaptation of the video game Mortal Kombat.
He was born in Tokyo, Japan , the son of an actress from Tokyo and a Japanese-American father who served in the United States Army.
Tagawa's feature films spanning twenty-three years have grossed over 1.5 billion in worldwide box office and another seventy performances on television shows and series. The feature films have netted 13 Academy Awards from The Last Emperor to Pearl Harbor to Memoirs of a Geisha. His latest films include Hachikoand Tekken. In Hachiko which won the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film at The Sedona International Film Festival, Tagawa plays Richard Gere's best friend.
The founder of a 31 year old Post-New Age breathing modality, Chuu Shin, Tagawa combines his experience in Martial Arts and Sports. "I was always a very physical child. I always played sports which naturally led to the study of Martial Arts but Chuu Shin was founded upon leaving my traditional study." Chuu Shin represents the best of Tagawa's Sports and Martial Arts history. It combines the Western external physical training with Eastern internal energy systems.
Chuu Shin is the outcome of a 32 year journey of Martial Alchemy: the transmutation of martial energy into healing energy through breath.

 

 

 

 

SHIHAN TATSUO HIRANO

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Born in Kumamoto, Japan and raised in Los Angeles, Dr. Hirano is also a martial artist and teacher, who began his training over forty years ago and still continues to train and as well as teach today. Although he began with Judo at age 7 with Inouye Sensei of Senshin Dojo, it was a few years later when he was first exposed to Chi training through the martial arts by his Shorinji-Kempo (Japanese Shaolin Kung-fu) grandmaster, Reverend Yamamori of the Kongo Zen sect at Konko-kyo Temple in East Los Angeles.

In 1970, his training continued with Grandmaster Kam Yuen and later with Grandmaster So Bin Yuen, both of the Northern Shaolin Kung-fu method. In 1989, he became a student of Soke Takayuki Kubota and earned the title Shihan, master of Gosoku-ryu Karate that is recognized in karate schools in over 50 countries. It was there he learned Soke's method of ki (Chi) development, Mu ga Mushin no Do.

Although medicine and martial arts may seem to be very contradictory activities, Dr. Hirano explains that "the opposing nature of the healing arts and martial arts represents the fundamental 'Yin-Yang' nature of life and becomes a means to develop a holistic understanding of self and the Universe in which we live."

In fact, it was in this context that Dr. Hirano began to "comprehend the living dynamics of energy in relation to thoughts, emotions, spirituality and its physical expressions and manifestations." As a result, he is able to offer a unique skill in associating medical conditions to his patients' life experiences. His diagnosis of medical conditions reflects the relationship and interplay between the way that patients process their life experiences and the resulting physical manifestations and ailments.

Dr. Hirano also has extensive knowledge and experience in the setting of bones and the re-alignment of the vertebral column. He has developed his own special method of spinal correction, "Hirano Myo-Osteo Technique" (HMOT) and has introduced his unique and effective therapeutics and structural interpretation skills in his professional seminar "Demystifying Pain."

He has also integrated Chi-kung therapeutics into many aspects of his clinical work. In his Hirano Shen-kung seminars, formally Modern Medical Chi-kung, Dr. Hirano shares his updated understanding of Chi and teaches the basics of his techniques. His intermediate course concentrates on clinical applications, and the advanced course focuses on special conditions.

 

 

 

SOKE MIROSLAW KUSWIK

COUNTRY: POLAND

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Hanshi Col. Mirosaw Kuwik - head of The Intervention Techniques Department at The Central Training Centre of Prison Service in Kalisz.
At present, he is a teacher of physical education, selfdefence, tactics and intervention techniques, and multifunctional stick "tonfa".
He is a shooting instructor.
He is an international instructor of martial arts.

 

10 Dan Modern Combat
8 Dan Jiu-Jitsu
7 Dan Tonfa System
7 Dan Karate-Do

He has participated in many trainings for uniformed service at a national and international level: Germany, The United States, Swicerland etc.
Every year in Poland he is in charge of The International Seminar of Martial Arts and Intervention Techniques
at The Central Training Centre of Prison Service in Kalisz. The seminar invites aproximately 150 people
(Poland, Germany, Hungary, the USA, Swicerland, Belgium, Romania, France, Italy, Mongolia, Chech Republic, Israel etc.).
He has conducted trainings for uniformed service:
the Police, the Green Police, the Army, The Central Investigation Office, The Home Security Agency, the City Guards and Security businesses.
He is the author of many publications on selfdefence and risk situations.

The chairman of Polish Association of Martial Arts Instructors in Prison Service
Deputy President of Polish Board of Federation of Eastern Martial Arts in Warsaw
Deputy President of Physical Education Association in Pozna
The President of Kalisz Jiu-Jitsu Club "BUDO" in Pleszew and in Opatwek

 

 

 

SOKE PHILIPPE FLOCH

COUNTRY: FRANCE

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

1957
Birth in Brest (France)

1970
Beginning of Martial Arts (kung- fu, lutte bretonne, shotokan karate)

1992
Federal Instructor of karate (FFKAMA)

1996
Brevet d'Etat d'Educateur Sportif (karate)
Founder and Professor of "Budokan Brest karate-do"

1997
Tonfa Professor (FFTS) with Robert Paturel and Alain Formaggio
3 dan karate (FFKAMA) with Francis Didier

1999
Tonfa Expert (FFTS) with Robert Paturel and Alain Formaggio

2000
Instructor of Krav Maga (IKMF) with Eyal Yanilov

2005
6 dan Combat System (Polish Federation of Martial Arts) with Miroslaw Kuswik
Representative of France of Ju-Jutsu (IKJKA) with Hanshi Paolo Colla
4 dan Karate (IKJKA) with Hanshi Paolo Colla

2006
5 dan Karate-Jutsu (Polish Federation of Martial Arts-Polish Jiu-Jitsu Goshin-Ryu Center) with Soke Krzysztof Kondratowicz
Founder, President and Technical Director of IMCF (International Modern Combat federation)
Creator of Method "Modern Combat Philippe Floch System"

2007
7 dan Combat System (Polish Federation of Martial Arts) with Hanshi Miroslaw Kuswik
Hanshi 8 dan Jiu-Jitsu Goshin-Ryu (Polish Federation of Martial Arts-Polish Jiu-Jitsu Goshin-Ryu Center) with Soke Krzysztof Kondratowicz

2008
8 dan Modern Combat (IMCF-Polish Federation of Martial Arts) with Hanshi Miroslaw Kuswik
Mdaille d'Or de la Jeunesse et des Sports (French Ministry of Sports)

2009
9 dan Combat Jiu-Jitsu and 9 dan Modern Combat (Polish Federation of Martial Arts-Polish Jiu-Jitsu Goshin-Ryu Center) with Soke Krzysztof Kondratowicz
8 dan Ju-Jitsu Kobudo (Polish Ju-Jitsu Academy) with Soke Eugeniusz Sikora
Diplme D'Etat Professor of Martial Arts (Karate, Kali Eskrima ...)

2010
Soke" Modern Combat Philippe Floch System"

2011
10 dan Combat Ju Jitsu with Soke Tadeusz Ambrozy
10 dan Ju-Jitsu (Yama Ryu Aiki Ju Jitsu) with Soke Tadeusz Ambrozy and Soke Krzysztof Pytlak
10 dan Military Ju Jitsu-Gunjin Ryu Ju jitsu with Hanshi Claudio Artusi
5 dan Krav Maga (Federazione Israeliana Krav Maga) with Hanshi Alfonso Torregrossa
10 dan Jiu-Jitsu Goshin-Ryu (Polish Jiu-Jitsu Goshin-Ryu Center) with Soke Marek Rudzki

 

Martial Arts Masters and Teachers
Karate
Taiji Kase, Hirokazu Kanazawa, Michel Rousseau, Claude Boucabeille, Gilbert Gruss, Mickal Milon, Keido Yamaue
Aikijutsu & Nord Shaolin Kung-Fu
Keido yamaue
Jiu-Jitsu
Krzysztof Kondratowicz
Self-defence,Tonfa, Kali
Robert Paturel, Alain Formaggio
Modern Combat
Krzysztof Kondratowicz
Krav Maga
Eyal Yanilov, Gabi Noah, Philippe Kaddouch

 

 

 

 

 

SHIHAN TORBEN SIMONSEN

COUNTRY: DENMARK

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

Shihan Torben Simonsen Chief Instructor of Jushinryu Jujitsu

Started Jujitsu training in 1979 in Aalborg Self Defense and Ju Jitsu Club
Graduated first dan October 1988 at the World Ju Jitsu Federation
Graduated 2nd dan February 1992 in Danish Ju Jitsu Federation
Graduated third dan July 1996 by Soke Richard Morris
Graduated 4th dan May 2001 by Soke Richard Morris
Graduated 5th dan April 2006 by Soke Richard Morris
Graduated 6th dan July 2007 by Soke Richard Morris
Graduated Kobudo Instructor Level 1 April 2008 by Shihan Lars Andersen

Awarded Renshi title in 2001
Recorded in Kokoro Society in 2006
Awarded Shihan title in 2007

 

 

 

 

 

HANSHI PETER FAHL

COUNTRY: GERMANY

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Hanshi Peter Fahl 10 Dan JJ, 10 Dan Bu-Jitsu, 6 Dan Nin-Jitsu. Fahl Peter was born on 01.05.1950 in Bad Mnstereifel Euskirchen. Father John Fahl geb.1919 in Bad Mnstereifel was an avid sportsman and former instructor in military combat in the paratroopers of the former Wehrmacht. Father John Fahl led his son Peter at the age of 4-5 years to the fight game then it was just the time when martial arts were again permitted in Germany. Now we make a time jump to 1968. Here the parallel with the father.
Peter Fahl was in 1968 in the paratroopers of the army as a paratrooper and in 1968, the first from Dan in Jiu-Jitsu. In 1971 he Laid the 2.Dan Jiu-Jitsu in Denmark, as in the then Danish country coach Knuth Janson. The 3.Dan followed in 1973 in Denmark also Knuth Janson.4 and 5th Dan in the years 1973 to 1977 at the then president of the German Ju Jitsu Federation, Hanshi HGNiederstein 10.Dan Jiu Jitsu.
After Peter had his first club founded in 1976 Fahl for self-defense,
In 1979, the next group at Ju Jitsu Tus Arloff 05, the group still exists today.
A prestigious award he received in 1979 with the appointment as "Samurai" the highest honor of the black belts and International Cooperation of the German Ju Jitsu Federation.
Peter Fahl still has much contact with his former students, some even still coaching at ihm.in the years 1990 to the present he always Trained as a teacher in the home and abroad, 2009, he opened the new Jiu Jitsu in the group TVE Bad Mnstereifel where He is still beside Jiu-Jitsu, Nin Jutsu also Survival and Asia-Power.2010 he founded the modern Germans Allstyle Bu-Jutsu Federation, where he was elected unanimously by the founders' meeting and the first president to head coach of the federation. From D.A.B.J.B. Peter receives Fahl for lifetime achievement in the sport budo 10.Dan Bu-Jutsu and the honorary title of "Hanshi" a year later, all currently on 10/09/2011, he received the 10.Dan Jiu Jitsu. From the Budo Martial Arts Academy, Rh . Palatinate, he received the honorary title "Professor"
Today, after several years, the son of Hanshi Peter Fahl 10.Dan, Marcel Fahl is the age of 17 continue into the third generation, before his first Dan in Jiu Jitsu and testing will continue the tradition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SENSEI DAVE KERSHAW

COUNTRY: UK

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:



7 DAN KARATE - Sensei Dave Kershaw was born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England on the 18th October 1955. He began karate training in 1972, and has been with Shotokan Karate International since its formation in 1974. He has in all this time been a student of Hanshi Shiro Asano 9th dan S.K.I.E.F Chief Instructor. He is Chief Instructor of the Konjaku Shin National School of Karate, which is based in Grimsby. In 1981 he was a member of the S.K.I. A-Team which won the English Karate Federation All styles Kata Title, and in 1982 was chosen to compete in a four nation, European competition in Munich. He became a regular member of the S.K.I.(GB) National Team, competing in European and World Championships in England, Ireland, Germany, Mexico and Japan. In 1987 his Konjaku Shin kata team won the British S.K.I. title, which they then held onto for four consecutive years. In August the same year, Dave won the British S.K.I. Individual Men's Kata title. He retained the title for a record six consecutive years. In 1991 he was a finalist in the Men's Individual Kumite at the S.K.I. World Championships in Mexico City. He is a Senior S.K.I.E.F Instructor, with over 30 years professional experience; an authorized S.K.I.E.F. grading examiner, and an experienced and qualified International Referee. In 1991 he was awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Honor for outstanding contributions to Karate-do.
In October 1998, in honor of Hanshi Asano, he came out of competition retirement to take part in the S.K.I.E.F. European Championships held in Sheffield, England. The championships were held to commemorate Hanshi Asano's 30th year in Gt. Britain. Dave took Silver medal in the 40-44 Men's Kata, and was a member of the victorious veteran three man kata team, now adding European Champion to his impressive list of achievements. In August 2011 he was graded to 7th Dan, becoming only one of three students in the world to receive the grade from Hanshi Asano. As well as running his own dojo, Dave travels widely both in Britain and abroad to teach and promote karate-do. He is currently overseeing the development of karate in India, on behalf of Hanshi Asano and SK.I.E.F, and is their Chief Technical Advisor.
While remaining affiliated to SK.I.G.B/S.K.I.E.F, in 2006 Konjaku Shin became an association in it's own right, with direct membership to the Federation of English Karate Organizations.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

1981 - MEN'S TEAM KATA CHAMPIONS S.K.I. A TEAM CAPTAIN E.K.F. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, BIRMINGHAM

1982 - SELECTED FOR S.K.I.E.F. EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MUNICH WEST GERMANY SECOND IN TEAM KATA

1985 - SELECTED FOR S.K.I.F. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN DUSSELDORF WEST GERMANY

1986 - SELECTED FOR S.K.I.E.F. EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN CORK IRELAND

1987 - MEN'S TEAM KATA CHAMPIONS S.K.I.(GB) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTTINGHAM

1987 - MEN'S INDIVIDUAL KATA CHAMPION S.K.I.(GB) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTTINGHAM

1988 - MEN'S TEAM KATA CHAMPIONS S.K.I.(GB) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTTINGHAM

1988 - MEN'S INDIVIDUAL KATA CHAMPION S.K.I.(GB) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTTINGHAM

1988 - SELECTED FOR S.K.I.F. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN UTSUNOMIYA JAPAN

1989 - MEN'S TEAM KATA CHAMPIONS S.K.I.(GB) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTTINGHAM

1989 - MEN'S INDIVIDUAL KATA CHAMPION S.K.I.(GB) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTTINGHAM

1990 - SELECTED FOR S.K.I.E.F. EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS AT CRYSTAL PALACE ENGLAND MEN'S INDIVIDUAL KATA SEMI-FINALIST

1990 - MEN'S TEAM KATA CHAMPIONS S.K.I.(GB) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTTINGHAM

1990 - MEN'S INDIVIDUAL KATA CHAMPION S.K.I.(GB) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTTINGHAM

1991 - SELECTED FOR S.K.I.F. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MEXICO CITY MEN'S INDIVIDUAL KUMITE FINALIST

1991 - MEN'S INDIVIDUAL KATA CHAMPION S.K.I.(GB) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTTINGHAM

1992 - AWARDED THE WILKINSON SWORD FOR SERVICES TO KARATE-DO

1992 - MEN'S INDIVIDUAL KATA CHAMPION Record 6th consecutive win S.K.I.(GB) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS NOTTINGHAM

1998 - SELECTED FOR S.K.I.E.F. EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN SHEFFIELD ENGLAND SECOND IN MEN'S 40-45 INDIVIDUAL KATA VETERAN MEN'S TEAM KATA CHAMPIONS

 

 

 

 

 

HANSHI JOSH JOHNSON

COUNTRY: UK

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 


8th Dan Wado-Ryu
6th Dan Ju-Jitsu
3rd Dan Kobu-Jutsu

Josh Johnson was taught to fight at an early age (8 years old) by his father, a serving Policeman, Eddie Johnson who had served in Palestine and El Alamain as a Paratrooper in the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment during the 2nd world war before joining the Police force in 1948. During his time in the army, and whilst serving as a police officer, he had boxed for both organizations and represented them in numerous contests as a middleweight: Won 18, Lost 2, Drawn 0. Assisting him was his friend and professional boxer Johnnie Mcgowan, light heavyweight: won 21, lost 11, drawn 1, K.O.s 13. Both men would regularly take the young Josh into the back yard and teach him the intricacies of the noble art, at times getting over enthusiastic and knocking him from pillar to post. He spent every day after school happily punching away at his Freddie Mills Punch ball, whilst his friends were out playing football.

During his school years he played Rugby League for his school, St Austins R.C. and Thomas a Beckets R.C. High School. Leaving school he played for Eastmoor under 19s, enjoying the full contact aspect of the sport. He carried on with his Boxing and Weight training at the White Rose Boxing Club on Thornes Wharfe, Wakefield.

At the age of 16 (1964) he joined the Prison Officers Judo club in Wakefield and trained with them for two years before joining a Karate club called The Hi-Ryu-Kan (1966) which had just opened in the City. The Dojo belonged to the U.K.K.F of Sensei Tatsuo Suzuki and his northern representative, at that time Phil Milner. The Spartan training regime and discipline was just what Josh required to stop his spiraling descent into the numerous street fights he was getting involved in.

During the following years he studied Wado-Ryu, under the various Japanese and U.K. Instructors: Goju Ryu Karate with Mike Lambert and Dennis Martin, Okinawan Kobujutsu with John Sullivan and Julian Mead, and Survival & CQB with Eddie McGee and Dennis Martin. He ran Several Dojo during these years, Eastmoor High School, Wakefield Y.M.C.A., St Georges Hall, Menwith Hill U.S.A.F. Base, Harrogate Hospital and Wakefield Sports Centre; organizing and attending courses with Denis St John Thomson of South Africa (Goju-Ryu), Mr Kitamura (Shukokai), Sensei Kase (Shotokan) and many others.

Visiting the Samye-Ling Buddhist Monastery in 1974 for a week of meditation and training he was awarded the name for his own Karate school by the resident Monks, Yid-Ga-Ling roughly translated from the Tibetan means Mind-Harmony-Place. This was adopted for the school name; not as a style or method, but as a place where one would strive for perfection of technique and harmony of the mind.

He was posted to Egypt in 1979 by the company he worked for, installing Pipework through the desert. Living in Alexandria he was encouraged by his Sensei, Phil Milner, to open Dojo and teach the I.B.A. methods and popularize the association in the Middle East. Opening Dojo in both Alexandria and Cairo he successfully taught numerous students through to Black Belt before returning to the U.K. in 1985. He opened his full time Dojo in Wakefield in May of 85 with a Jiu-Jitsu course run by O-Sensei Phil Milner. The Queen Street Hall Dojo and Gym ran for 15 years before it relocated to the present Dojo location: The Wakefield Karate & Martial Arts College in Thompsons Yard, Wakefield.

During the Queen Street Hall period, the visiting Instructors were, O-Sensei Milner, Mike Lambert Sensei, (Goju Ryu), Julian Mead Sensei (Yiu-Shin-Kai Kobujutsu), Sensei Shiomitsu and Sensei Sugasawa of the Wado Academy, Motokatsu Inoue (kobu-Jutsu). At the Thompsons Yard Dojo (W.K.C.) courses were taught from Phil Milner Sensei (Jiu -Jitsu), Mr Sakagami Sensei (Wado Ryu), Dave Allen Sensei (Jiu-Jitsu).

The early years of the Dojo (66 to 76) was spent on entering traditional Karate tournaments, but with the advent of full contact tournaments (77 to 85), emphasis changed to the full contact scene, with notable success from W.K.C. fighters. On his return from Egypt and the opening of a full time Dojo, Josh put all his efforts into teaching the Traditional syllabus of the Japanese and Okinawan systems he had been taught.

1986 saw the formation of The Anglo Traditional Karate Association, the founding members being Josh Johnson, (Wado-Ryu), Julian Mead (Yui-Shin-Kai) and Mike Lambert (Goju-Ryu). The A.T.K.A. was immediately taken into the M.A.C. and membership grew from Traditionalists all over the U.K. Although running his own association, he had remained loyal to his first Sensei, Milner San, assisting him on demonstrations and courses and administration of licenses and technical details. Their friendship continued until Phils untimely death in 2000, being one of the pall bearers at Senseis funeral together with Arnie Bestwick, Ken Whitham and Dave Slaney of the I.B.A.

With the passing away of Phil Sensei, a meeting was convened in Worksop and all the members of the I.B.A. voted that Josh should continue as President and licensing officer and the post of Chief Instructor be held by Arnie Bestwick Sensei. Sadly Arnie passed away after a long illness in 2008, Pall bearers once again Josh, Dave, Ken and Arnies nephew; carrying another of the I.B.A. Legends to his rest. Josh was then elected as Chief Instructor of the I.B.A. at O-Sensei Bestwicks memorial course on 5th October 2008.

Over the years Josh was renowned for his breaking techniques (Tamashiwara) and body hardening (Shintai Katai). To demonstrate the power that a Karate blow could generate, he had it included in the school syllabus and regularly gave demonstrations at courses and tournaments. His forte was breaking house bricks, smashing blazing tiles and head butting stacks of roof tiles, his total being 18 just 6 short of his mentor Phil Milner O-Sensei. The record for most house bricks broken was attempted on 4 various occasions with success being finally achieved in 1986 with the setting of a new World record of 5 house bricks broken with a single blow.

Today Josh is the Chief Instructor & Examiner of the Anglo Traditional Karate Association (ATKA) and the President and Chief Instructor of the International Budo Association (IBA).

 

 

 

 

GRANDMASTER DERMAN B. HODGE Sr.

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

 

MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:



DOB April 7th, 1956- Highly trained in a variety of Martial Arts, GrandMaster Derman B. Hodge, Sr. Started his training at a early age in 1960 He believes in teaching the Traditional Martial Arts using modern scientific methods. For GM Hodge, the Martial Arts are a way of life. He stresses the necessity of balancing the Mental, Spiritual and Physical aspects of being in both Martial Arts training and daily life. Through the World MooSul Kwan Federation, Chang-Hun TaeKwon-Do association and the World Martial Arts Weapons Federation he has certified over 350 Black Belts in various styles including TaeKwon-Do, Hapkido, Grappling, Aikido, Aiki JuJutsu, Dae Pung Kwan HosinDo, Shotokan, Judo, Arnis, Sil Lum Kung-Fu and Weapons. From the World Martial Arts Academy (International headquarters) in Florence, SC-USA, he oversees an international organization of schools, Instructors and over a thousand individual members. GrandMaster Hodge also believes that all Head Instructors of affiliated schools should be allowed to operate independently, without the politics and mandates that are in so many organizations today.

GrandMaster Hodge is also the author and editor of several books and video tapes on various aspects of the Martial Arts. He has helped produced along with Dr. Dennis Medskar, a audio tape and book on how to keep students motivated in training. GM Hodge along with Dr. Medskar wrote a book on the Healing aspects of the Martial Arts to help you learn about how to take care of your body at home or while training. GrandMaster Hodge is also Certified in the Healing Arts of Shiatsu Acupressure and Spinal Manipulation ( By GrandMaster Kim Lo Chong and Soke Te Sakura Tanaka) and is a Certified Healer from The American Chinese Chi Kung Acupressure Association # 849600 , Certified by Dr. David Kash, President, Traditional Medical Science Officer Republic of China ( Cloud Forest Association 1996). Cloud Forest Chinese Healing Institute

GrandMaster Hodge with over fifteen years of Professional Body Guard, Special Event Security, Crowd Control and Bouncing at various Clubs has proven his skills and experience in Self Defense, situations and passive restraint Techniques.
He is perhaps most unusual in his dedication to the Brotherhood of all Martial Arts. He stresses the Brotherhood of all Martial Arts and the fellowship of Instructors all over the World no matter what style you study. Not only does GrandMaster Hodge study and teach a variety of Arts and Styles, he also encourages his students to learn from all sources available to them, and not to have a narrow mind when it comes to the other styles or try to decide which one is the best, because all have similar techniques and movements just a different road to travel. When you attend a educational institute you are taught more than just math.



Accreditations
2011 Inducted into the Southern Korean Martial Arts Hall Of Fame ( Life Time Achievement)
2011 Sword of Freedom Award (Achievements in the Arts) GM Bernd Hohle
1998 Inducted into the International Masters Hall Of Fame ( Life Time Achievement)
1993 Inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall Of Fame ( Instructor of the Year)
1992 Sterling WHOS WHO Executive Edition in their chosen fields ( only two issued every three years).
1988 Appreciation Plaque from GM Nam Suk Lee- The World TaeKwon-Do Chang Moo Kwan Association
1985 Bronze Plate for Recognition of Excellence from Korea TaeKwon-Do Association
Founding-President-The World MooSul Kwan Federation - WMKF (1987)
Founding-President-The Chang-Hun TaeKwon-Do Association - CTA (1986)
Founding-President-The MooSul Kwan Hapkido Federation (soft and hard style) - MKHF
Founding-President-The World Martial Arts Weapons Federation International - WMAWF
Founding-President- World Martial Skills Institute Federation (Seikai Bujutsu Kan Renmei)
Author-World MooSul Kwan Federation Student Manual
Author-World MooSul Kwan Federation Instructor Manual
Author-Chang-Hun TaeKwon-Do Student Manual
Co-Author- World MooSul Kwan Healing Arts Manual
Editor-in-Chief- The Storm Warrior Newsletter


Current Ranks
10th Degree Black Belt-World NiBuiKai BuDo Federation-HoShinDo DaePungKwan (Doshu)(11-US-5371) Soke Schneider, Soke Benedetto Stumpf
10th Degree Black Belt-World Street Combat Systems Orgainization(North American Exe. Director)(11-USA-5371)
10th Degree Black Belt- WSCSO Worldwide Examiner (Hapkido,TaeKwon-Do,MooKiDo,Kwon Bop) (GM Schneider)
10th Degree Black Belt-World NiBuiKai Budo Federation- Sungja Do-- GM Frank Schneider, GM Benedetto Stumpf
10th Degree Black Belt- MooSul Kwan Hapkido- WSCSO,German Sen Ki Do Ass.(US215) GM Schneider,GM Stumpf
10th Degree Black Belt-World MooSul Kwan Federation Systems-TaeKwon-Do,Hapkido,Weapons, Dae Pung Kwan
10th Degree Black Belt- American Jae MuKwan Hapkido Association(Dae Pung Kwan HoShinDo) (#DGH501)
10th Degree Black Belt- American Jae MuKwan Hapkido Association- Title Dojunim-(DJM2DH) (GM Jeannotte)
10th Degree Black Belt World Street Combat Karate Systems-Sokeship-(ShiHan Schneider)
10th Degree Black Belt MooSul Kwan Systems- United Sokeship Alliance International (reg#00DH10MT)
10th Degree Black Belt Tae Pung Kwan HosinDo (The Great Storm School of Self-Defense) ISA,WMAMC,WSCKS,IFBB.
10th Degree Black Belt MooKiDo/ KoBuDo Weapons-International Bushido/KoBudo Brotherhood

All 10th Degrees are Honorary-GrandMaster Hodge goes as a 9th Degree out of respect for his Instructors and Tradition!

9th Degree Black Belt-WSCSO (Hanshi Kempo Ju-Jitsu International Grandmaster)(US215)ID# 11-US-5371-GM Schneider-GM Stumpf.
9th Degree Black Belt-WSCSO(MooKiDo MooSul Kwan) (US218) GM Frank Schneider, GM Benedetto Stumpf
9th Degree Black Belt-WSCSO(Street Combat Karate) (US216) GM Frank Schneider, Gm Benedetto Stumpf
9th Degree Black Belt-Chang-Hun TaeKwon-Do- WSCSO (11-US-5371) GM Schneider,GM Stumpf
9th Degree Black Belt-Street Combat Karate- WSCSO (11-US-5371) Soke Frank Schneider, GM Benedetto Stumpf
9th Degree Black Belt Chang-Hun TaeKwon-Do- (Independent TaeKwon-Do Federation)(World Martial Arts Master Society)(World Martial Arts Council)(International Federation of Black Belts)
9th Degree Black Belt MooSul Kwan Hapkido(Independent TaeKwon-Do Federation)(World Martial Arts Master Society))(World Martial Arts Council)(International Federation of Black Belts)
9th Degree Black Belt AiKi JuJutsu (Tenaka Ryu) Soke TeSakura Tenaka (US51)
9th Degree Black Belt Aikido (Tenaka Ryu) Soke TeSakura Tenaka- (US51)
9th Degree Black Belt International KiDo Federation (Soke Benedetto Stumpf) (#US2001--5647)
8th Degree Black Belt-Sen Ki Do- German-Sen Ki Do Association- Soke Benedetto Stumpf, Soke Frank Schneider
8th Degree Black Belt TaeKwon-Do- Universal TaeKwon-Do Brotherhood (Prof. Eugene Humesky) (789)
8th Degree Black Belt Martial arts- Universal Martial Arts Brotherhood (Prof. Eugene Humesky)
8th Degree Black Belt-World Independent TaeKwon-Do Federation (David Hasse) (GM-10)
8th Degree Black Belt-Nippon Dai Samurai Jiu-Jitsu Federation- (Soke Siegfried Boedeker) (1994)
8th Degree Black Belt-The BushiDo-Brotherhood Martial Arts Society (07/14/1994) (Soke Siegfried Boedeker)
8th Degree Black Belt-The BushiDo-Kai Kun Tai Ko Jiu Jitsu Council (Soke Siegfried Boedeker) (1994)
8th Degree Black Belt- World kun-Tai-Ko Budo Association (Soke Siegfried Boedeker)
8th Degree Black Belt- Korean Hapkido Federation (Ju Sool Kwan)- (GM Kim Sang Foon) (#IF92)
8th Degree Black Belt- New Orient Karate School (1993) (Reg# 7332) S.Johnson
8th Degree Black Belt- United States All-Style Karate Instructors Association- (Daniel Chadd-USA-KIS) (#I686)
8th Degree Black Belt- MooSul Kwan Systems- International KiDo Federation (TSD-US-2001)
7th Degree Black Belt-Tang Soo Do-WSCSO (US217) GM Frank Schneider, Gm Benedetto Stumpf.
7th Degree Black Belt-World Independent TaeKwon-Do Federation (David Hasse) (GM-10)
7th Degree Black Belt-Korean Hapkido Sun Moo Kwan (Dave Weatherly-Jae Sun Ji) (#2985)
7th Degree Black Belt-Hapkido Sun Moo Kwan- North American Hapkido Association (#71) (GM Jae Sun Ji) (K-2985)
7th Degree Black Belt- Hapkido,Aiki,TaeKwon-Do - Cloud Forest Chinese Martial Arts Ass.-North American Combat Academy (Reg#0593)(0093-3)
7th Degree Black Belt-Hapkido Yu Kwon Sul- World Martial Arts Master Society, International KiDo Federation and World Oreintal Martial Arts Federation (Garrison)
7th Degree Black Belt Si Lum Kung Fu (Tuhon Rick Ward) International Kung Fu Arnis Association
5th Degree Black Belt Sen Ki Do-Intenational Sen Ki Do association (1992) (GM Benedetto Stumpf)
4th Degree Black Belt-Tang Soo Do-Verband Deutschland e. V. ( Soke Frank Schneider/GM Benedetto Stumpf)



 

 

 

SOKE GARY DILL

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

Original First Generation Jeet Kune DO student from the Oakland California School, Founder of the Jeet Kune Do Association, Grandmaster & Founder, Bushido Kempo, 10th Degree Black Belt, Shodai - Soke, 8th Degree Black Sash in Chinese Wu Shu, Member and the Chief Advisor for the WHFSC Grandmasters Council, Former Federal Agent, Chief of Police, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Founder - Homeland Combatives (Close quarters combat program)

Professor Gary Dill has the rare honor of being one of the few original students who trained in one of Bruce Lee's three JKD schools while Bruce was still alive and heading up the JKD training program. Dill has been teaching Jeet Kune Do for almost 30 years, and is considered by many as one of the nationally known authorities in JKD today. He has written numerous articles concerning JKD for "Black Belt", "Inside Kung Fu" as well as other martial art magazines, has authored a JKD training manual, and produced a comprehensive collection of JKD home study videos.

Professor Dill trained at Bruce's Oakland JKD branch school under Sifu James Yimm (Jimmy) Lee, which was located in James' garage. In December 1972, just a few days before he died, James gave Dill a two year JKD training outline along with a dozen of the "JKD Student Handbook", so that Dill could pass on his knowledge of JKD to his friends and selected students. Professor Dill started teaching JKD in January 1973, and has trained thousands of students in JKD since that time.

In 1986, Dill was appointed to the Board of Directors of the former Jeet Kune Do society, and served on that board with several of the other original students (Inosanto, Wong, Jackson, Linda Lee, etc.). this was the forerunner of what is now the JFJKD Nucleus. In 1991, Professor Dill founded the Jeet Kune Do Association in order to preserve and promote the authentic JKD, and to provide training to those open-minded and sincere students who wish to learn the real JKD.

As well as being a world known authority on JKD, Professor Dill is also a fully certified grandmaster of Bushido Kempo, a pure combat system with techniques from Karate, Ju-Jitsu, Aiki-Jitsu, Gung Fu, and weaponry. He has been inducted into several martial art hall of fames, and is a member of three different grandmaster councils. He has also received official rank recognition from mainland China as an 8th Degree Black Sash in Chinese Wu Shu. The Professor has been active in the martial arts since 1963, and hold black belts in several different combat martial arts.

On a personal note, Professor Dill has spent many years in law enforcement, having served as a federal intelligence agent, state police criminal investigator, and as a chief of police. He was also a firearms instructor and a senior police defensive tactics instructor. He is a Vietnam veteran, and served in both the US Marine Corps and in the US Navy, and was a special agent with Naval Intelligence (NIS). Professor Dill now delegates all of his time to teaching the combat arts.



 

 

 

 

SOKE JOSEPH MILLER

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

Joe Miller was born in New York City in 1949 at Harlem Hospital. Soke Miller's birth name is Jose Miller, a native New YorRican. Soke Miller's family was born in Ponce in the town of Clusell, Puerto Rico. Soke Miller started studying the Martial Arts discipline of karate at age 6, judo at age 9, and Jyu-Jitsu at age 11 with Soke Michael DePasquale, Sr. Soke Miller received his first black belt at age 18 in the Yoshitsune Jyu Jitsu system from Shihan Michael DePasquale Sr. Now known as Soke Mike. Soke Miller thanks Soke Mike for all Soke Mike did for him. Soke Mike recommended Soke Miller to test for Shihan under Soke Yoshiji Okuyama, founder of the Hakkoryu Jyu-Jitsu System of Japan. Soke Miller first met Soke Mike DePasquale Sr. in the year 1963, when he traveled to Closter, New Jersey, where his dojo was based. Soke Miller felt he was on top of the world because he was coming to see the Shihan. In those days the rank of Shihan (7th degree master) was not much heard of. Soke Miller knew when he first came on the mat that he was in trouble, but he knew he was going to master the system, because the Master himself was there to instruct the students.

"I love You Soke Mike, thanks for your confidence in me, I shall always pass on your teachings. I have been with you 43 years, God keep blessing you and the family."

Soke Miller enrolled in the U.S. Air Force and served 20 years and 6 months of service to his country. 18 of those years were spent in Japan with Master Yoshiji Okuyama and family. Continuing in the Martial Arts, Soke Miller achieved the rank of Shihan (seventh degree) by the age of 25 from the Grand Master Yoshiji Okuyama himself in June of 1974. By the time Soke Miller turned 38, he had achieved the highest rank one can obtain in the Hakkoryu Jyu-Jitsu System of Japan: 9th Degree Menkyo Kaiden San Dai Kichu Shihan. His Grand Master Toshio Okuyama, the Nidai Soke of Hakkoryu Hombu, promoted Soke Miller. Soke Miller also attained the Koho Shiatsu License from the Hakkoryu Hombu from his teacher Toshio Okuyama, now his Grandmaster. Soke Miller became a Shiatsu master in his own right, and, with his teacher's permission, developed his own system of Shiatsu called TaizanRyu Shiatsu - The Peaceful System of Martial Arts Therapy, copyrighted July of 1990. TaizanRyu is the name Soke Toshio Okuyama gave to Menkyo Kaiden Shihan Joe Miller. This is his dojo (school) name.

From 1985 to 1988 the United States Air Force asked Soke Miller to administer his Shiatsu to many personnel at the Yokota Air Force Base hospital for injuries attained by military individuals during work and sports events. The dental office at Yokota Air Base also had Soke Miller lecture; Soke Miller taught several dental doctors the application of head and shoulder Shiatsu for TMJ patients. Also while stationed at Yokota Air Force Base Japan, the Security Police asked Soke Miller to put together a training program of hand to hand apprehension for the Air Force Police. He did just that, and copyrighted that as well. The Security Police at Yokota Air Base used his program, called TaizanRyu Taiho Jitsu, from 1986 to 1989.

Soke Miller studied the following Martial Arts disciplines in Japan:

* Yoshitsune Jyu-Jitsu
* Hakkoryu Jyu-Jitsu
* Koho Shiatsu
* Shodankan Karate
* WadoRyu Karate
* Goju Ryu Karate
* Judo
* Kendo
* Iaido
* Ken-Jitsu
* AikiJitsu / Aikido
* Jo-Jitsu
* ChuNokoHihoJitsu

 

 

 

SHIHAN ALFREDO TORELLA

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

  • 6th Dan / Founder of Taekwon-do Kwonbop Combat Institute
  • 6th Degree Black Belt in Bushido Kempo / Kwonbop Combat
  • 4th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo Kwon Bop Do
  • United States Advisor/Representative of WASCA International
  • Co-Director of Kwon Bop Do Federation to Italy
  • Jeet Kune Do Association Consigliere / Advisor for Italian Affairs
  • Member of the World Head of Sokeship Council Masters Division
  • Former Military Tank Pilot and Weapons Expert for the Italian Army
  • 4 time Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee



Master Alfredo Torella, a 26 year practitioner of the Martial Arts, is a Internationally recognized Master, 5th Dan, of Bushido Kempo Kwonbop Combat. As well as holding Black Belts in Taekwon-Do Kwon Bop Do, Karate, and Kung Fu. Master Torella is a full time Martial Arts Instructor and is the Founder, President, and Director of the US Italian Martial Arts Alliance LLC. (USIMAA) as well as Director to Italy of the Taekwon-Do Kwon Bop Do Federation. He has been inducted into several Martial Arts Halls of Fame and is a member of the Masters Division of the World Head of Family Sokeship Council, the most Elite and Prestigious Grandmasters Council in the World. In 1998, Master Torella organized the World Cup Martial Arts Championship, the largest Martial Arts event in Italy at the time with 2,500 competitors and spectators. Master Torella has competed internationally winning several gold medals. In 2011, the Jeet Kune Do association appointed him as Consigliere/Advisor for Italian affairs.

Recently, Master Torella was made head of the Kwonbop Combat Division of Bushido Kempo under Professor Dill and the SDS International Martial Arts Federation. WASCA International, one of the largest Martial Arts organizations in Italy, appointed Master Torella as it's Advisor and Representative to the United States. The Master served in the Italian Army in a Special Combat Defense Team and was a Certified Tank Pilot. Master Torella is based out of Michigan, has hundreds of students in the U.S. and abroad, and spends much of his time teaching and promoting the Martial Arts in both the U.S. and Europe. Torella is the Martial Arts Director at the Sports Club of Novi, Michigan and is a personal student of Grandmaster Gary Dill and is one of his staff instructors in SDS International.


 

 

 

HANSHI PETER BROCKERS

COUNTRY: GERMANY

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

Karate Hanshi 9 Dan Shotokan IMAF
IOMAU Internationaler Instructor JAPAN KARATE ASSOCIATION,
8 Dan Kobudo International Okinawa Budo Federation and IOMAU
6 Dan Internationaler Kobudo Instructor Okinawa KOBUDO Division,
3 Dan Sai IIKF
3 Dan Arnis
3 Dan Bojutsu
3 Dan Iaido
3 Dan Batto Jutsu, KATANA, Kenjutsu, BOKKEN

Since 1960 Peter Brockers operates the Sport Karate Association
and founded the Karate Dojo Mnchengladbach 1964.
Shihan Peter Brockers is one of the founders of karate sport in Germany and
particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia where he has long taught as a technical manager Shotokan Karate.
1967 to 1970, Peter Brockers become of, H. Kanazawa, 10th one of beste Student
H.Kanzawa ist the best karate instructor in the world. H. Kanazawa sent his favorite student,
Peter Brockers from 1970 to 1972 according to Japan at Takushoku University in Tokyo under Prof.M.Nakayama
to study the chief instructor of Karate and JKAShotokan to complete his techniques to become a int.JKA Karate Instructor.
1972 laid Sensei Peter Brockers, from Japan in the 3.Dan test and became the instructor of the JKA Karate int appointed. The Dojo MG fought the only association of 45 clubs from North Rhine-Westphalia from 1974 to 1978 in thefirst Divison and 2nd Liga NRW country.
One of his most famous student of Sensei Peter Brockers was the cosmonaut Prof.Dr. Reinhold Ewald, our man in space on the MIR mission 1992 Peter Brockers, is considered one of the founders of karate sport here in Germany. It is valued in the international scientific community as a karate-karate champion and very int.Referee and is often invited as int.Referee Budo and expert on international seminars.
2005 he was re-elected for 5 years as President of the INTERNATIONAL KARATE FEDERATION 2005, Shihan PB the sports director of W.T.K.A. Shotokan for appointed from 92 countries. In 2008, Peter Brockers, of the Federation FEKAM Italy in the 9th Dan Shotokan Karate awarded.
2008, Hanshi P.B. an honorary member of the American Federation Chito Ryu under Hanshi 9th Dan Dometrich DNBK appointed. 2008, Peter Brockers, Hamada Hanshi 9th Dan of the world as director of DNBKDAI NIPPON KAI BUTOTU in Kyoto / Japan in the oldest Budovereiningung Member since ano 748.
2009 was the 8th Dan Kobudo Shihan Peter Brockers and the title of Hanshi from Okinawa IOMAU awarded.
2011 Shihan Peter Brockers was in the Liverpool Life award given for lifetime achievement at a gala karate and kobudo.


 

 

 

 

SOKE FRANK E.SANCHEZ

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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One of the true modern day Sokes (Founders) of martial arts in AMERICA, Professor Sanchez's system of SAN-JITSU is GUAMs (a U.S. Pacific Island Territory) first Internationally recognized martial art style. Born April 21, 1948 in the Village of Tamuning, he was made an Honorary Ambassador-At-Large for Guam in 1976. He also holds an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Great Plains Baptist College in South Dakota. A student of martial arts since age 11, Sanchez holds Black Belts in Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Karate and a Red Sash in Jing Jow Pai Kung-Fu. As a successful street fighter in his youth, he also studied boxing from his Father, Francisco Sanchez who was a Boxer with the U.S. Navys Pacific Fleet, as well as wrestling to supplement his martial arts training. His most famous instructors include Hawaiian born Professor Siegfried Kufferath who was one of the legends of the popular worldwide Kodenkan Danzan Ryu Jiu-Jitsu System and Yushitoshi Moon Watanabe, former all Hawaiian Islands Judo Champion. His system of SAN-JITSU which was formulated in the Village of Toto, Guam in 1971 has received worldwide attention in magazines and seminars as one of the more brutal and unique styles of Jiu-Jitsu practiced today.

Articles on Sanchez and his SAN-JITSU system have appeared in International publications such as BLACK BELT, INSIDE KUNG-FU, BUDO INTERNATIONAL, INSIDE KARATE, KARATE/ KUNG-FU ILLUSTRATED, THE WORLD OF MARTIAL ARTS, BUDO DOJO, THE KARATE VOICE, FULL CONTACT, TAEKWONDO TIMES, THE KARATE STAR (from India), CINTURON NEGRO (from Spain), KAMPFKUNST INTERNATIONAL (from Germany), COMBAT (from England), LATTE/ GUAM Magazines (from Guam), etc. His book on the subject of SAN-JITSU written in 1976, can also be found in the Reference Section of Guams Libraries, the Pacific Islands Collection of the University of Guam, the Guam Museum and Englands Cambridge University Micronesian Center. Sanchezs picture & bio can also be found in the R.O.S.S. Martial Art Museum in Russia. He has also appeared nationally and internationally on TV and is featured in various videos in Russia, Canada & the U.S., including the film documentaries; AMERICAN MASTERS & CHAMPIONS OF THE MARTIAL ARTS and THE GATEWAY. He is also mentioned in the book, AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF MARTIAL ARTS IN AMERICA 1900 TO PRESENT written by martial arts historian, Emil Farkas and in the book, THE WORLD HEAD OF FAMILY SOKESHIP COUNCIL written by Don Warrener of Rising Sun Productions in California.

In constant demand for personal appearances and seminars all over the world, Professor Sanchez has been inducted into martial arts Halls of Fame both nationally and abroad for his work in the arts, garnering Living Legend and Most Distinguished Grandmaster Awards for his lifetime of service to the martial arts.

 

 

 

 

SENSEI NARVE LAERET

COUNTRY: NORWAY

 

 

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" Narve Laeret - Narve Laeret is a real Norwegian Viking ... "

 

14 times world record holder in karate breaking ! 10 times Guinness world record holder ! Guinness Hall of fame ! In the book 2008 and 2009 and 2010! World Champion 2008 ! Starring the movie "World record breakers,what make them tick". I break stuff :-) and a lot of it.....
Meritts for Narve Lret,Kyokushin Karate

Karate fighting:

  • 2005: 1.pl Kyokushin Open,(International) full contact +90kg.
  • 2005: 2. pl. Norwegian Championship Kyokushin full contact +90 (fought with a broken ankle in the finale)
  • 2005: 1.pl. Norwegian Cup Kyokushin,(International) full contact +90kg
  • 2008: World Champion Tamashiwari
    Karate and Guinness World records in Tameshiwari(breaking):
  • 2006: Most concrete blocks broken in one minute: 90 blocks broken in 16 seconds (The Late Night Show,Oslo)Guinness WR
  • 2006: Most concrete blocks broken in 2 stacks at the same time: 36 blocks (The Kyokushin Championship 2006,Horten)
  • 2007: Most concrete blocks broken in a single stack: 21 blocks
    (Fighter Night Norway)Guinness WR
  • 2007: Most concrete blocks broken freestanding punching true a bulletproof west: 6 blocks (Norwegian Kickboxing Championship)
  • 2007: Most concrete blocks broken in 30 seconds in stacks of 15: 72 blocks (The Paul O`Grady Show,London)Guinness WR
  • 2007: Most concrete blocks broken in 30 seconds in stack of 10: 240 blocks
    (The Late Night Show,Oslo)Guinness WR
  • 2007: Most concrete blocks broken in a single stack with forehead: 5 blocks
    (The Late Night Show,Oslo)Guinness WR
  • 2008: Most pine boards broken I a single stack with no spacers: 9 pcs 1 boards (The Extreme Martial Arts Show;Horten)
  • 2008: Most concrete blocks broken in a single stack with forehead: 7 blocks (The Extreme Martial Arts Show,Horten) Guinness WR
  • 2008: Most concrete blocks broken in one minute : 700 blocks in 29 seconds(World Championship Datca,Tyrkia)Guinness WR
  • 2008: Most concrete blocks broken in 30 seconds: 700 blocks in 29 seconds. GWR day Datca,Turkey Guinness WR


All blocks is concrete 7,5cm tick, 20-22 cm wide and 60 cm long

European Breakings records:

  • 2005: Most concrete blocks broken with elbow: 13 blocks (Norwegian Full Contact karate Championship)
  • 2006: Most Pine boards broken with no spacers : 8 pc 1 boards (same as the world record at the time)


Instructions:
Indstructor Kyokushin karate in Horten KK
Instructor Kyokushin karate in Drammen Kampsportlag

BELTS:
Gold belt from Guinness with 4 stripes showing my 4 Guinness world records at the time now its 14 world records
1 Dan Kyokushin
Black belt combat fighting/selfdefence system

AWARDS:
Award for the great job don to promote Kyokushin karate in 2006.
Award for best Martial Artist in UFKK in 2008.
Award for Best breaker of all times by Guinness World records 2008

 

 

 

 

HANSHI BENEDETTO STUMPF

COUNTRY: GERMANY

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

10th Dan Sen Ki Do, Soke (2nd Generation)
10th Dan Ju Jitsu & Kempo Karate, Hanshi
10th Dan Hapkido
9th Dan Tang Soo Do
8th Dan Taekwon-Do
8th Dan Kickboxing
Muay Thai Coach
Shihan Kobudo & Kenjutsu

President and Founder of the WORLD NIBUIKAI BUDO FEDERATION 1996
President and Founder of the INTERNATIONAL SENKIDO ASSOCIATION 1996
President and Founder of the GERMAN TANG SOO DO FEDERATION, Inc. 1987
President and Founder of the MOOSUL KWAN HAPKIDO ASSOCIATION 2000
1st Honorary President of the WORLD STREET COMBAT SYSTEMS ORGANIZATION, FRG
Executive Director of the UNITED TANG SOO DO CONGRESS, USA
and holding numerous positions in martial arts organizations worldwide

Grandmaster Benedetto Stumpf started with martial arts since his age of 4 years under the tutelage of his grandfather, Master Johannes Meurer. Also he received later instruction by his father, Soke Hubert Stumpf, who also learned from his father-in-law Johannes Meurer very intensive. Master Meurer was staff of the merchant navy in the early years of the 19th century and visited many Asian counties, went off board and came in contact with Japanese and Chinese techniques. He studied with the local citizens and Japanese seamen and brought them back...only to his family, and subsequently to his grandson, now Grandmaster Benedetto Stumpf. Benedetto Stumpf himself formed the system he learned from his grandfather and father and is a real "Soke" of an martial arts family system. To get knowledge about the arts which were already a little established in the 60ies and 70ies he studied many systems, mastering most of them through various examinations under some good teachers of the early days of martial arts in Germany. He studied under Master Marvin BinKhamiss, Sigung Dr. Min Tah Jao, Arjan Detlef Thrnau, Sigung Klaus Poestges and others. Beneath his lifelong study and instruction of some systems from Japan, Korea, Okinawa and China he was also one pioneer of the art of Tang Soo Do in Germany. After decades of Tang Soo Do and Sen Ki Do instruction the German Tang Soo Do Federation was founded in 1987 with the "Kagura Gym" as its headquarters. Honoring his lifelong contributions to the arts he received finally his first 10th Dan in Kempo and Senkido and official sokeship in Senkido on an international Budo Gala through the IBDF and the Goshin Jutsu Federation Rheinland-Pfalz. Alongside with this honor he received from several German and international martial arts organization recognition and further graduation/examinations in his beloved arts. So he is since long years also grandmaster member of the WHFSC, USA. In 1996 he founded with his longtime uchi-deshi and master student GM Frank Schneider the WORLD NIBUIKAI BUDO FEDERATION. He actually serves as their lifelong elected president. And he serves finally, as Co-Founder of the World Street Combat Systems Organization under GM Schneider, actually as their 1st Honorary President. He is nationwide known as "Karate-Grizzly" regarding his status and fast movements, has won numerous trophies in his former tournament career in Germany, and was German full contact champion in 1981. Alongside with his extreme breaking skills he is renowned as a well experienced martial artist, master instructor, coach, tournament promoter and still as a true student of Budo/Mudo, which will last all his life...

 

 

 

 

HIROKAZU KANAZAWA KANCHO

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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Kanazawa Kancho (10th Dan Black Belt) is one of the world most renowned and respected traditional karate masters of all time.
He is the first karateka to have won the notorious All Japan karate Championship.

 

In 1957 kumite champion (while nursing a broken wrist)
In 1958 kumite and kata champion

Although trained in Judo in his early years, Kanazawa Kancho took up karate whilst at University
under the late headmaster of JKA shotokan, sensei Matsatoshi Nakayama. Kanazawa Kancho is also one of the few remaining karateka privileged to have studied under Master Gichin Funakoshi, the famous Okinawin schoolteacher who brought karate to mainland Japan from Okinawa and founded the Shotokan style.

In 1978, Kanazawa Kancho set up SKIF (Shotokan Karatedo International Federation).
SKIF is now the worlds largest Shotokan Karate Association under one chief instructor,
having several million members in over 130 countries.

 

 

 

 

PROFESSOR ALAN S. THORNTON, SHODAI SOKE

COUNTRY: UK

 

 


MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

The Senai Seisshinryu Shihandokai Karate-Do Jutsu & Budo-Jutsu system was officially created and developed by Hanshi, Professor Alan S Thornton, Shodai Soke (10th Dan) on 5th October 1998 in England, UK. This was after twenty-five years of study, grading and experience within the martial arts. It is a unique blending of Okinawan Isshinryu Karate-Do, Goju-Ryu Karate-Do, Budo-Jutsu, Kempo-Jutsu, Goshin-Jutsu, Atemi-Jutsu and Judo.

The name Senai Seisshinryu Shihandokai loosely translates as the Way of the One Heart/One Mind Spiritual Masters Association. The systems philosophy of martial arts training is very traditional in its approach for quality rather than quantity always stressing the highly essential value of a good respectful attitude towards self, fellow martial artists (students/instructors/masters) and society in general. As the student gradually progresses and develops through training and studies - he/she should ultimately become a well balanced, self-disciplined, focused, respectful individual and attain full harmony in body, mind and spirit. The Soke must always take in to account the moral and ethical responsibilities he owes to self, the reputation of the arts, the overall welfare of students being taught and to society as a whole.

Thornton Soke has never awarded himself any grades whatsoever within his system or in any of the other arts he has studied. All grades have been officially awarded by various distinguished external international sokes, grandmasters, councils and organizations. These awards also include official Japanese titles/licenses (Menkyos) such as Professor, Sensei, Shihan-Dai, Shihan, Renshi, Hanshi and Soke Shodai. The elite Judan 10th Dan (Red Belt) rank was officially awarded by Professor J Abregana, 10th Dan (Soke Nidai) and personally signed by many distinguished international sokes and grandmasters of 8th, 9th and 10th Dan rank. Likewise, his Soke Shodai (1st Generation Founder/Headmaster) license was officially awarded by Dai-Soke D Jeffrey, 10th Dan, Kaiden (Head Family).

Over the past thirty-eight years (1973 2011) Thornton Soke has received Dan grades in various martial art systems from several of his respected international peers and their organizations. They include ranks from the following:- Professors R Hedrick Jr 10th Dan (Hanshi), Dai-Soke D Jeffrey 10th Dan Kaiden (Soke Godai Head Family), L Whitney 10th Dan (Soke Nidai Head Family), J Cuevas 10th Dan (Soke Nidai Head Family), J Abregana 10th Dan (Soke Nidai), J Moclair 10th Dan (Soke Shodai), M Pesic 10th Dan (Soke Shodai), K Schuhmacher 10th Dan (Soke Shodai), C Diaz 10th Dan (Soke Shodai), B Hohle 10th Dan (Soke Shodai), P Holley 10th Dan (Soke Shodai), A Lye 9th Dan (Soke Shodai) and M Tianero 10th Dan (Soke Shodai). Also Dan grades from Drs K Prakash 5th Dan (Shihan), R Diaz 6th Dan (Shihan) and R Pallones 5th Dan (Shihan). Other early teachers include S Gouldson 5th Dan (Sensei) and D McKeown 2nd Dan (Sensei). Thornton Soke is a Shodai Soke/Head of Family member of the World Headmasters Council of Martial Arts (WHCMA) and his Ryuha is a fully legitimate branch of the ancient Samurai Clan of the Saigo Ha Daito Ryu Rengokai lineage which dates back over 1200 years.

Over many years, he as held memberships, fellowships and ranks in various academic, educational and fraternal organizations which include the British Mensa Society (top 1%), Theosophical Society and the Philosophical Society. He was an elite high-ranking Officer (Past M.Ill.SGIG, 33) in Freemasonry before retiring after two decades of service. Likewise, he has also held memberships and senior officer roles within various elite international martial art organizations, has been inducted into many international Martial Art Halls of Fame (2002 2008) and has been included in several international professional and martial art Whos Who directories, books and other publications too.



 

 

MASTER TERUYUKI OKAZAKI

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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Master Teruyuki Okazaki was born June 22, 1931, in Fukuoka, Japan. After studying aikido, judo, and kendo, he began karate training in 1947. Master Okazaki joined the Japan Karate Association (JKA), where he studied under both Master Gichin Funakoshi and Master Masatoshi Nakayama.

In 1953, Master Okazaki graduated from Takushoku University in Tokyo with a BA in Political Economics. In 1955, he helped Master Nakayama develop the JKA Instructors course. Later, as a pioneer instructor, he became the first coach of the course. He later taught at Boei University (considered Japans West Point), Takushoku University, and Tokyo Toritsu University. He also instructed the instructor trainees for the JKA Headquarters.

Master Okazaki was sent to the United States by JKA Chief Instructor Masatoshi Nakayama in 1961 to help share Shotokan karate with people throughout the world. He established a dojo in Philadelphia (now Headquarters for the International Shotokan Karate Federation) and formed the East Coast Shotokan Karate Association in 1963. In 1977, he founded the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF), which is now one of the largest karate organizations in the world. The ISKF, of which Master Okazaki remains Chairman and Chief Instructor, has approximately fifty thousand members in over thirty countries.

Master Okazaki received the rank of 10th Dan in October of 2007. He has been a faculty member of Philadelphias Temple University since 1970, and is also an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, West Chester University, and Thomas Jefferson University. In June of 2007, the ISKF became independent of the JKA/WF, allowing the ISKF to spread to more countries outside of the Pan-America region. Master Okazaki conducts seminars and clinics, provides training sessions, and administers ranking examinations all across the United States, as well as internationally. He is the author of two books, The Textbook of Modern Karate, and the Perfection of Character: Guiding Principles For The Martial Arts & Everyday Life.Master Okazaki was chosen as Black Belt magazines Man of the Year and belongs to their Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

SHIHAN FUMIO DEMURA

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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Fumio Demura is a Japanese master of karate. He is a well known master of karate and kobudo (weaponry), and his martial arts skills featured in the Karate Kid series of films. Demura holds the rank of 9th dan in Shito-ry karate.

Shihan Fumio Demura was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1938. He began the study of Kendo at eight years of age. As his training formalized, he studied Kendo under the legendary Nakamura Taisaburo Sensei, and Kendo and karate under Ryusho Sakagami Sensei at his Dojo in the Tsurumi district of Yokohama.

An avid student, Shihan Demura trained daily in the martial arts, achieving high levels of proficiency at a young age. While training at Sakagami Senseis' Itosu-Kai Dojo, he was introduced to the Okinawan Kobudo teacher Taira Shinken Sensei, and soon became knowledgeable in various Ryukyu weapons, an ability he would become famous for after his move to America.

In 1961 Shihan Demura won the National Kumite title of Japan. He was now teaching karate in Tokyo, but had the desire to come to the United States. His opportunity presented itself in 1963 when martial arts historian Donn Draeger introduced him to the American karate pioneer Dan Ivan who was in Japan looking for a talented instructor to assist him with his Dojos in southern California.

In 1965, Shihan Demura moved to the United States where he is generally considered the first to teach authentic Shito-Ryu karate and Okinawan Kobudo. Shihan Demura quickly became a prominent figure in the American karate world through his teachings and his highly skillful and entertaining demonstrations.

Over the years that followed Shihan Demura and his students introduced thousands of people to the martial arts through their colorful displays in the southern California area.

In 1969 Shihan Demura was awarded the prestigious "Black Belt Hall of Fame" award for "Karate Sensei of the Year" and in 1975, he was awarded the "Black Belt Hall of Fame "Martial Artist of the Year." In 1999 Sensei Demura was inducted into the History Museum Martial Arts "Hall of Fame."

During the 1970s and 1980s, he authored several books on karate and Kobudo for OHara Publications, and has been featured in numerous martial arts publications. Shihan Demura is a favorite amongst karate magazines for his dynamic and insightful approach to all martial arts.

In the 1980's Shihan Demura became involved in the "Karate Kid" series, serving as stunt double to actor Pat Morita. This was followed by several other appearances in feature films such as "Mortal Combat" and "Rising Sun."

Today Shihan Demura serves as director and Chief Instructor for the Shito-Ryu Genbu-Kai International. An organization encompassing nearly twenty nations and thousands of members. He still teaches at his Santa Ana, California Dojo and most weekends are spent giving seminars or assisting at tournaments literally throughout the world. Each February, he hosts his annual Goodwill Championships in Costa Mesa, considered by many to be the foremost traditional tournament in southern California.

Shihan Demura is an authentic Karate Sensei. Combining the traditions of the past with modern approaches to training, he is regarded by his students with love, trust and admiration. In his personal life as well as within the walls of the Dojo, Shihan is a living model of what all true martial artists strive to be! Sensei Shihan Fumio Demura is the chief instructor of the Japan Karate Federation Itosu-Kai in America. Besides teaching Karate, Mr. Demura is the stunt man for Pat Morita in the Karate Kid series of motion pictures, as well in the O'Hara television series.

His other film credits include, Island of Dr. Moreau, Bring 'Em back alive, and most recently Rising Sun and Mortal Kombat. These are just a few of the numerous films in which Mr. Demura has performed. For years he was featured at the Japanese Village in Buena Park and in Las Vegas. Today, he spends the brief time away that he takes from his Dojo to demonstrate at Tournaments and Charity events.






 

SENSEI SHANE DORFMAN

COUNTRY: SOUTH AFRICA

 

 

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6th Dan Shotokan Karate, Seven times Karatenomichi (KWF) World Champion - (2000-2007), World All-Shotokan Kumite Champion (WSKA) - (2005), Japan Open Kumite Champion (KWF) - (2001), Member of Karatenomichi World Federation International Master Panel



SUMMARISED KARATE ACHIEVEMENTS

International :

  • Triple Karatenomichi (KWF) World Open Grand Champion (winner of both Kata and Kumite) 2007 (Tokyo, Japan), 2004 (Tokyo, Japan) and 2002 (Miami, USA)
  • All-Shotokan World Open Kumite Champion 2005 (Chicago, USA)
  • Elected to the KWF International Shihankai (Master Panel) in 2007
  • Awarded 6th degree black belt in 2004 by Yahara Sensei and the international grading panel of KWF at age 29, making Shane the youngest 6th dan in a mainline JKA-style Shotokan organisation in the world, including the Japanese
  • Karatenomichi (KWF) Japan Open Kumite Champion 2001 (Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan)
  • JKA World Kata Champion 2000 (Wales)
  • World All-style (WKF) World U19 Grand Champion 1993 (Hungary)
  • World All-style (WKF) World U21 Kata Champion 1994 (Australia)
  • Captain of the KWF World Team Champions 2000 and JKA World Team champions 1996
  • World Maccabi Grand Champion 1997 (Israel)
  • World Maccabi Kata Champion and Open Kumite runner-up 1993 (Israel)
  • African Cup (UFAK) U78kg Kumite Champion 1994

 

National :

  • Karatenomichi (KWF) S.A. Open Grand Champion (winner of both Kata and Kumite) 2002- 2004
  • Karatenomichi (KWF) S.A. Open Champion (winner of Kata) August 2001
  • JKA S.A. Open Grand Champion (winner of both Kata and Kumite) 1993 to 1999 inclusive
  • S.A. All-styles (KASA) Grand Champion five times in seven years. Shane is the only male to have ever achieved the 'grand slam' (i.e. both JKA and All-styles Grand Champion in the same year)
  • Member of the official National Squad from 1993 to 2002, where Shane was the number one male choice for South Africa in both Kata and Kumite

 

Other :

  • Sports Heroes Walk Against AIDS, Johannesburg - Cape Town, Charity Event (2002)
  • Awarded full blue 'cum laude' by the University of the Witwatersrand in 1994 (1 of only 3 recipients of the estimated 40 000 students at Wits)
  • University of the Witwatersrand Sportsman of the Year 1994
  • Maccabi Senior Sportsman of the Year 2003/4
  • Maccabi Junior Sportsman of the Year 1990-1995

 

Karate training :

  • Trained under Malcolm Dorfman Sensei from the age of 6, 1981
  • Honbu dojo of the JKA in Japan, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1992, 1995. Instruction was given by the following Sensei: Tanaka, Osaka, Isaka, Yahara, Kagawa, Abe, Ueki. Trained with Nakayama Sensei 1983, 1985, 1986
  • Honbu Dojo of KWF in Japan 2004 and 2006 with Yahara and Isaka sensei
  • San Diego with Nishiyama Sensei and Shirai Sensei 1987
  • Crystal Palace with Enoeda Sensei 1988
  • Milan with Shirai Sensei 1989
  • Tokyo with Yahara Sensei, Abe Sensei, Isaka Sensei regularly 1992 2001
  • Appointed as official instructor for the KWF World Camp Miami, USA, 2002

 




 

KANCHO RAFFI LIVEN

COUNTRY: DENMARK

 

 

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Kancho Raffi Liven (10 Dan), the Master of Sho Shin Karate Do and Krav Maga LI.
Kancho Raffi Liven is the founder of the World Academy of Martial Arts. He created karate style Sho Shin Do and developed self-defense system Krav Maga LI - one of the only developments accepted by the late Master Imi Lichtenfeld.
Kancho Liven was born in Tel Aviv on the 3rd of march, 1949 and has lived in Denmark since 1981.
Kancho Liven started training karate when he was 9 and got graduated with the first Dan at the age of 15. From then on he decided to dedicate his life to the Way (jap. Do) of martial arts. Over the last 45 years he has trained many different systems including Shotokan, Kyokushinkai-Karate, Thai-boxing, Kendo, Judo, Aikido, Kobudo, Kick-boxing original Okinawa-te and Full-contact Karate. His philosophy is that a person should never stop to learn and to keep an open mind to everything. Nowadays he is one of the highest ranking Karate masters in Europe. In 1967 Kancho Liven fought the 6-Days-War and in 1973 in the Yom-Kippur-War and worked after as an instructor for the special forces in Israel. After his time in the military he traveled a lot and went for a longer time to Japan to train under the masters of the originally Okinawa-te and to take part in many competitions. At all the places he came to he was invited to teach Karate and self defense. During 1977-1978 he worked as a bodyguard for a president on the Island of Martinique. Also in this year he became two times a European champion in Full-contact Karate. At the end of 1981 he moved to Denmark and started his first karate school there.
In 1985 Bushido Sports Center, where Sho Shin Karate Do has its main quarter until today, was opened. In the 43 years where Kancho Liven was training and teaching different martial arts included Karate styles he never found a perfect one. He was all the time very grateful for what he could learn from different masters but he always felt that something was missing. At the end of the 80th he started therefore to develop his own style Sho Shin Do what means the Genuine Way. In 1992 Kancho Liven saved the life of a man who was attacked and tried to stab down. With a Yoku Geri (sidekick) he send the attacker through a shop window. This episode made him famous in the Danish media because the man he saved was a policeman in civil. When Kancho Liven is asked about this episode he reacts amazed. Already many times before he saved other peoples lives. Most times people who were attacked by criminals. But the first time that the media were interested in this, was when it was a policeman and even than only for a short period of time. When somebody kills people he is remembered forever but when you are saving others lives people remember it only very short. Something is wrong with peoples attitude. In Kancho Livens opinion many could help others but this requires an extensive training and preparation. Beside Karate Kancho Liven was teaching self-defense all the time. Krav Maga the self-defense and close combat system of the Israeli army proved to be the most effective system of teaching self-defense to people also with no background in other martial arts. After Krav Maga stopped to be a secret of the Israeli army Kancho Liven founded his own organization - Krav Maga Liven International. As a way of keeping his mind and body fit, Kancho Liven practices Tamashiwari - the art of breaking, discipline in which he is truly a master. He is the holder of the world record of breaking 199 bricks in the shortest possible time - 60 seconds in 1990. In 1991 he broke 113 bricks with Gyaku Tzuki in 30 seconds and in 1992 he broke 130kg of massive concrete with one Yoku Geri. Many times in a year he is traveling around the world to follow the invitations of different clubs from Norway, Israel, Germany, Russia, Italy, Thailand or Iceland to teach Karate and Krav Maga. In 1993 he was a guest at the Norsk Budo-gala in Oslo where a broad spectrum of the world best martial artists were represented. On 10.12.1999 Kancho Liven received his 9.dan from Jon Bluming (10.dan from Holland) and Kenji Kurosaki (10.dan) from the Kyokushin Budo Kai Organisation.

 

 

 

SHIHAN MALCOLM DORFMAN

COUNTRY: SOUTH AFRICA

 

 

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Dan Grading Examinations:

  • 8th Dan Karate no Michi in 2000: Highest Dan level ever awarded to a non Japanese by a major official Japanese Shotokan organization. Also the youngest and only non Japanese to pass this examination at the first attempt.
  • 7th Dan JKA Shotokan in 1994: Highest Dan level ever awarded to a non Japanese by the Japan Karate Association. (Shadan Hojin Nihon Karate Kyokai).
  • 6th Dan JKA Shotokan in 1986: Highest Dan level ever awarded to a non Japanese by M. Nakayama Shihan, the late Chief Instructor of the Japan Karate Association. (Shadan Hojin Nihon Karate Kyokai -- prior to the split).



Personal Karate Sporting Achievements:

  • Springbok: Member of the Springbok team for 9 years, commencing in 1970. Springbok captain in 1978.
  • Referee: Chief Referee of South Africa for 12 years, commencing 1982.
  • Coach: National Coach of the first ever Protea team in 1993.
  • International Championship achievements: Winner of several international titles in a competition career that spanned 27 years (1967 to 1993
  • South African Sport Merit Award:

Awarded in 1979 for personal achievements in 1978
Awarded in 1982 for coaching achievements in 1981

  • South African All-Styles Karate:

Founder member of first official non-racial all-styles karate organisation in South Africa (KASA) in 1993
Awarded 8th Dan by KASA for technical contribution to the development of karate in South Africa
National Executive Member since inception to date.
Currently, official Technical Director of all-styles karate in South Africa.

  • Status in Japan & Worldwide:

Assistant World Chief Instructor of Karatenomichi World Federation.
Member of the Karatenomichi World Federation Saiko-Shihankai (Supreme Master Panel) one of the original three members.
Holds the highest rank ever awarded to a non Japanese member of a JKA-Shotokan mainline association
Awarded the rank of A-class Instructor, A-class Examiner & A-class Judge by the Japan Karate Association (JKA) in 1994.
Re-awarded the rank of A-class Instructor, A-class Examiner & A-class Judge by the Karatenomichi World Federation (KWF) on its inception in 1999.
Appointed as World Cup Supervisor at the KWF World Cup in 2002-2007
Appointed by the World Shotokan Karate-do Association (WSKA) as African Continent Director in 2001.
Member of the WSKA Referee Qualifications Panel for the World Championship in 2005.



Malcolm Dorfman Sensei was born in Johannesburg on 31 March 1947 and was educated at King Edward VII High School. After two years of Judo between the ages of 12 to 14 years, he recommenced Judo training at the University of the Witwatersrand and captained the Judo team in 1966.

At that time, he joined the University karate club and a few months later, the JKA dojo of Stan Schmidt Sensei. He made rapid progress, and in 1970 was selected for the very first Springbok (national) team to tour overseas. In 1978, after being chosen as the Springbok captain, he retired from the team, but still competed internationally on a selective basis for several years thereafter.

He went abroad many times to train with karate masters all over the world, inter alia, M. Nakayama Sensei and the instructors of JKA headquarters in Tokyo, H. Nishiyama Sensei (Los Angeles), H. Kanazawa Sensei (Tokyo), T. Kase Sensei (Paris), H. Shirai Sensei (Milan), K. Enoeda Sensei (London), H. Ochi Sensei (Bottrop), and especially M. Tanaka Sensei (both in Japan and when Tanaka Sensei was resident in Copenhagen).

Malcolm Dorfman Sensei was well known in the famous "Hornets' Nest", the elite instructors class of the original Japan Karate Association, before it fragmented. From 1974, when he first trained there as a 3rd Dan, up till 1993, he had been to Japan almost 20 times, and trained in the "Hornets' Nest" each time for an extended period.

In 1986 he was awarded 6th Dan by M. Nakayama Shihan, the late Chief Instructor of the Japan Karate Association making him the holder of the highest Dan level awarded to a non-Japanese during the lifetime of M. Nakayama Shihan, who died in 1987. He also achieved the highest status qualifications given by the Japan Karate Association to a non-Japanese, which are A-class International Instructor, A-class International Judge and A-class International Examiner and was elected to the International Shihankai (Master Panel) of the Nakahara JKA.

From 1993 till 1999, Malcolm Dorfman Sensei was a member of the Asai JKA, where he was graded to 7th Dan in February 1994. However, in 1999, after the Japanese High Court ruled in favour of the Nakahara JKA with regard to title to the name Shadan Hojin Nihon Karate Kyokai (Japan Karate Association), the former Asai JKA organization split into two, with Asai Sensei forming the Japan Karate Shotokai (JKS) and Yahara Sensei forming the Karatenomichi World Federation (KWF).

Malcolm Dorfman Sensei opted to go with the Karatenomichi World Federation. After undergoing a lengthy and arduous grading examination held the day prior to the 2000 Karatenomichi World Championships in Cardiff, Wales, he was awarded the rank of 8th Dan KWF by the Japanese Master Panel (International Shihankai) under Yahara Sensei. making him the only non-Japanese in the world to hold this rank. In addition, at that time, he was appointed as a member of the original 3-man Supreme Master Board (Saiko-Shihankai) of the Karatenomichi World Federation, the first and at that time, the only non-Japanese to hold this status. The other two members were Yahara Sensei and Isaka Sensei with whom Malcolm Dorfman Sensei currently trains in Japan whenever possible.

The present Saiko Shihankai comprises seven members, three of whom are non-Japanese. Malcolm Dorfman Sensei now holds the title of Assistant World Chief Instructor jointly with Isaka Sensei.

Malcolm Dorfman Sensei is the Chief Instructor and official representative of the Karatenomichi World Federation in South Africa and operates the South African branch under the name of Karatenomichi South Africa. Karatenomichi South Africa also has membership with the World Shotokan Karatedo Association (WSKA) where he was appointed as WSKA Director for the African Continent.

Malcolm Dorfman Sensei introduced Kendo into South Africa in 1985, and through his efforts the South African Kendo Federation was established. Due to his extensive karate commitments, he eventually handed over the reins to his senior kendo students.

 



 

SHIHAN YASUYOSHI SAITO

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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Shihan Yasuyoshi Saito
Honorary President, World Chief Instructor JKI - Japan Karate-Do International Shotokan-Ryu

 

 

Saito Sensei was born in Northern Japan and trained in the JKA system with his sensei, Hiroshi Shoji.
When Saito Sensei left Japan he initially taught in France, South America and the Caribbean.
In Guadeloupe, French West Indies he was chief instructor of the Budokan French Federation.
In 1971 Saito Sensei came to South Florida where he founded the Japan Karate Association of Miami.
From 1972 to 1992 he was an instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation, South Atlantic branch.
In 1993 he founded Japan Karate-Do International with affiliated members in England, Venezuela, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Curacao, India and Sri Lanka.
Teaching class, two three each day, six days each week along with traveling for teaching seminars keeps Saito Sensei exactly where he wants to be: in a dojo passing on the values of a life dedicated to karate. He says that one needs money, dedication, time and trust to make the most of ones karate training.

 




 

GRANDMASTER TAKASHI AZUMA

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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8th-dan Daidojuku, 3rd-dan Judo

Head director of International Kudo Advisory committee
Head director of International All Japan Kudo Federation
Founder / Grand master of Daidojuku



1949 - Born in Kesen numa City Miyagi prefecture.
1965 - Enrolled in Kesen numa High School, Joined in Jyudo club. He encountered "Budo" first time in his life. He offered his life to explore it ever since.
1970 - Joined the Self Defense Force.
1971 - Enrolled in Waseda University night-class.
1972 - Fulfilled duty of SFD and retired.
Joined Kyokusinkaikan headquarter(22 years old). He stood out among other colleagues since the beginning because of his physical strength trained by Judo and his spiritual strength that never accept defeat.
Found a branch of Kyokushinkaikan in Waseda University.
1973 - Participated the 5th Kyokushin National Tournament.

1974 - Received 2nd prize on the 6th Kyokushin National Tournament.
1975 - Moved to USA for higher achievement of Karate and study. Received 6th prize on the first Kyokushin International Tournament.
1976 - Received 3rd prize on the 8th Kyokushin National Tournament.
1977 - Received Grand prize on 9th Kyokusin National Tournament.

1977 - Received Grand prize on 9th Kyokusin National Tournament.
1979 - Received 3rd prize on the 11th Kyokushin National Tournament. Received 4th prize on the 2nd Kyokushin International Tournament From the experience confronting with heavier opponents from over sea, He was realized again necessity of changing the official rules to include the followings : punch on head, the underbelly attack and throw, in order to fill the gap of physical differences.
1980 - begining to seek the ideal budo.
1981 - Found "Karatedo Daidojuku" in Sendai City Miyagi prefecture.

1995 in an occasion of a Hokutoki Tournament, He performed 12-ice-pillar breaking. He holds the world record of 13-ice-pillar breaking by now year 2006.



 

SHIHAN AKIO MINAKAMI

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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President of Japan Karatedo Hayashi-Ha Shitoryu-Kai USA
The first person to receive unanimous approval from the governing body of Karatedo in Japan, for certification as Shihan.

 

 

 

  • 8th Dan, Karate, from Hayashi-Ha Shitoryu-Kai
  • 7th Dan, Karate, from the Federation of All Japan Karatedo Organization
  • 5th Dan, Chinen Yamanni Ryu Bojutsu, under Ryukyu Bujutsu Kenkyu Doyukai (RBKD)
  • 3rd Dan, Kendo
  • 1st Dan, Judo

Born (born March 27, 1948) and raised in Tokyo, Japan, Shihan Minakami began his formal martial arts training at age 7. He belonged to the Jujitsu/Kodokan Judo school under Takagi Sensei. Takagi Sensei was a 9th Degree Kodokan Black Belt. Shihan Minakami came to the United States in 1963. During his first years in America, Shihan Minakami made a name for himself as an outstanding karate man. By age 21 he was the first man ever to win both Kata and Kumite at the All Hawaii Championships. His most outstanding accomplishments include winning 5 Gold Medals at the Hayashi-Ha Shitoryu-Kai International Championships and 5 Gold Medals at the All Japan Karate Championships. He was also the first man ever to win 5 Gold Medals (every division possible) at the AAU National Championships. In 1983 Minakami received his Shihan Certificate - 6th Degree Black Belt from both Hayashi-Ha Shitoryu-Kai and from the Federation of All Japan Karatedo Organization - FAJKO. The Federation of All Japan Karatedo Organization is the governing body for Karate in Japan. Shihan Minakami was the first individual ever to receive a unanimous passing grade, meaning all 11 Masters (representing the 4 major styles) on the examining board, gave him their approval. This is an amazing honor for which he will always be known. In 1985, Shihan Minakami founded the Minakami Karate Dojo (formerly known as the United Karatedo Organization). It was his goal to teach traditional Japanese Karate and to pass his knowledge onto dedicated students who would learn and enjoy the techniques, as well as attitudes of the true martial artists. Today, Shihan Minakami holds an 8th Degree Black Belt in Hayashi-Ha Shitoryu-Kai, a 7th Degree Black Belt from the Federation of All Japan Karatedo Organization (also known as JKF - Japan Karatedo Federation), a Black Belt in Judo and a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Kendo.

 

 



 

SENSEI MASAO FUKUMA

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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7 Dan Judo - Head Instructor of Norwalk Judo
Born: 1943 in Okayama, Japan
Trained: Okayama, Tokyo and Kanagawa

 

 

Record:
1965 All Japan National Team Tournament(Represented Kanagawa)
1968 US Senior Nationals 176 lbs - 2nd
1970 SPAAV - Open Class - 1st place
Grand Champion - 1st place

Taught:
Daijuken 1967-1969 Venice 1967-1974
Gardena YMCA 1967-1978
Norwalk 1975-Present

The head sensei of Norwalk Judo Dojo comes from a family rich in the heritage of judo. Masao Fukumas family owns a private dojo called Kobukan in Okayama, Japan which was started by his Grandfather. His Grandfather was originally schooled in jujitsu and later transitioned to judo. Senseis youngest brother is now the head sensei at the school. Fukuma Sensei has 5 brothers, all black belts, with the lowest degree being a 3rd degree. Fukuma Sensei started judo around the age of 5 or 6, his first thought of judo was that I did not like judo. He continued through junior high school and high school. During his junior high school years, he started to enjoy judo. In high school he trained six days a week, with tournaments on Sunday. After high school he was sent to train at Asashi Dojo in Yokohama which was one of the two power houses in Yokohama and in Japan. Asashi Sensei coached Okano in the 1964 Olympics. Their rival dojo in near by Yokosuka produced champions such as Inokuma and Takahashi. In 1965, Fukuma Sensei represented the Kanagawa prefecture in the prestigious All Japan Team Championship. In this tournament he defeated Takahashi. Takahashi was never able to defeat Fukuma as a later rematch ended in a draw. At a Kohaku (compete until you lose) tournament, in the ni-dan category, Fukuma Sensei defeated 12 straight opponents. In 1967, at the age of 24, Fukuma Sensei immigrated to the United States. In the 1968, at the South Pacific AAU (SPAAU) tournament he placed 2nd and in the 1970 SPAAU, he was Grand Champion. In the early days of judo there was a Grand Champion classification. The individual weight category champions then had matches to determine the Grand Champion.

 

 




 

KIYOSHI YAMAZAKI

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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Kiyoshi Yamazaki is a Chief International Instructor, Japan Karate-Do Ryobu-Kai, 8th Dan Shindo Jinen-Ryu Karate-Jutsu.

Kiyoshi Yamazaki, the son of a kendo teacher, was born in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, on August 16, 1940. His martial arts training began during his childhood under his father. In 1956, he joined Konishi Sensei's Ryobu-Kan, and he received his first teaching license for karate in 1962. In the same year he had extensive Okinawan kobudo training with Shugoro Nakazato, the current grand master of Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu, in Okinawa.
Sensei Yamazaki attended Senshu University and joined the Shotokai organization there, under the instruction of Hironishi Motonobu, a student of Funakoshi Sensei (the founder of Shotokan). During his university days, he continued to train with Konishi Sensei as often as possible. After graduating in 1964 with a degree in Economics, he continued to train at the Ryobu-Kan. Eventually, Yamazaki Sensei was asked to assist Konishi Sensei in demonstrations and seminars worldwide.
Yamazaki Sensei moved to the United States after being invited to the United States by Dan Ivan in 1969, and he began teaching at Citrus College in Azusa, California. He later opened a dojo in Anaheim, California and participated widely in karate demonstrations with other recognized instructors. Today, in addition to teaching at his dojo in Anaheim, he maintains a busy schedule promoting the philosophy of Shindo Jinen-Ryu and supervising and developing all the schools of Japan Karate-Do Ryobu-Kai outside Japan. In addition to karate and kobudo, Yamazaki Sensei is an accomplished exponent of Iaido in the traditions of Omori-Ryu and Kashima Shin-Ryu. His expertise in the martial arts has attracted producers in Hollywood; he has served as a technical advisor, instructor, and even acted in several movies. His celebrity students include Arnold Schwarzeneger, Sting, Richard Hatch, Sandal Bergman, Wilt Chamberlain, Brigitte Nelson, and Grace Jones. His last big screen credit was for the movie "Dragon Heart". Yamazaki Sensei is currently Chairman of the U.S.A. National Karate-Do Federation's Technical Committee. He was the Chairman of the World Karate Federation's Technical Committee for many years. Yamazaki Sensei is the Chief instructor for all countries outside of Japan and Brazil. In the USA, he has authority over JKR schools in all the states except Washington and Oregon.

 

 

 

SENSEI BART VAN HOEF

COUNTRY: BELGIUM

 

 

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Bart Van Hoef (Judo, Karate & Ju-Jutsu)
6th Dan Ju-Jutsu, 5th Dan Karate, 3rd Dan Judo. Flemish school teacher trainer. Also follows the footsteps of his father and brother Felix Guido. As a top athlete, he has both a national and international career developed. Teaching in fighting form as karate, judo and ju-jutsu and perpetuate the life of the associated philosophy are his everyday job.


More than 41 years on the tatami.
Technical Director for the Ju-Jutsu & Karate departments at Ko-Nippon.
Professional occupation : Budo sports & Martial Arts
Ex-member from the Belgian Judo & Ju-Jutsu team, different International titles in Judo & Ju-Jutsu, from which 2 European medals in Judo & Sport Ju-Jutsu. Recognized teacher by the Belgian Authorities to prepare martial Arts trainers. Active on Belgian and International courses. Since many years driving force for the Belgian Sport Ju-Jutsu with respect for the traditional Budo values. International active to promote the Random Attacks competition system.


 

 

 

 

SOKE KEIDO YAMAUE

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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Keido Yamaue 10th Dan, founder (Soke) of Yamaue Ryu Aiki Jutsu. Soke Yamaue has been training many kinds of martial arts in Japan, in China and in Europe for more than 48 years. Yamaue Ryu Aiki Jutsu is a Ju Jutsu system based on Ki-force, Yamaues 45 degrees theory, spiral movement and centripetal force. Yamaue Aiki Jutsu is related to Takeda Aiki Bujutsu, i.e. Daito Ryu Aiki Jutsu.

He was born in Japan in 1946 and graduated in Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. It is difficult to say when he started Aiki Jutsu, because he was born in Budo Family. His father taught him Judo and chiropractic techniques, one of his uncles taught him Go Ju Ryu Karate and an uncle to his father taught him Aiki Jutsu and Aiki Do. Uncle to father -Takuma Hisa (1895-1979) - was a great master of Daito Ryu Aiki Jutsu. Aiki Jutsu was a part of his Budo education in his childhood. Yamaue Aiki Jutsu is related to Takeda Aiki Bujutsu = Daito Ryu Aiki Jutsu. He also practiced Shorinji Kempo (Japanese style of Shaolin Kung Fu ) and many kinds of Chinese Kung Fu. He is well known in the world as a founder 10.DAN of Nord Shaolin Kung Fu (a new system based on northern Shaolin tradition) and Yamaue Ryu Aiki Jutsu. Soke Yamaue receives several Budo awards, International Hall of Fame awards and recognitions from all over the world every year. Soke Yamaue is an Buddhist priest of Daishoji Imperial Temple and Saga Imperial Palace / Daikakuji Temple and he works daily as a culture consultant for the two imperial temples. He teaches Ju Jitsu, Aiki Jutsu, Kobudo and Kung Fu through the world.

 

 

 

 

 

HANSHI MASAYUKI SHIMABUKURO

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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Hanshi Shimabukuro holds the rank of 8th dan in Iaido, 8th dan in Karate do and 7th dan in Jodo from Dai Nippon Buto-Ku-Kai (Japan's oldest and most prestigious Martial Arts organization from the Royal Family). Hanshi Shimabukuro is the highest ranked instructor of these arts outside of Japan. He became a member of the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 2006.

As chairman of both the Jikishin-Kai International and the Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-Kai, Masayuki Shimabukuro Hanshi holds a great deal of personal responsibility for passing on the ancient traditions of Japanese martial arts to the modern world. Masayuki Hidenobu Shimabukuro Hanshi was born in March 1948 in Osaka, Japan.

His interest in Martial arts began as a teenager, when he studied Judo, Karate-do, Okinawan Kobudo weapons and other traditional Japanese martial arts. He achieved dan ranking in several of these arts before focusing his attention predominantly on Iaido (or Iaijutsu), the art of Samurai swordsmanship.

Shimabukuro Hanshi began his sword training in 1975 under the direct supervision of Miura Takeyuki Hidefusa, Hanshi, 20th generation grandmaster of Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu in Osaka, Japan. Shimabukuro Sensei was appointed Kokusai Bucho (International Chairman) of the Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-kai by Miura Hanshi, and entrusted with dissemination of authentic Eishin-ryu Samurai swordsmanship worldwide outside of Japan. Since that appointment, Shimabukuro Sensei has traveled throughout the world teaching Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaido, Shindo Muso Ryu jojutsu and other traditional Samurai arts. He has established Jikishin-Kai International Training Groups and member schools in Europe, North America, South America, Central America, Asia and Australia.

Shimabukuro sensei is the senior-most student of Miura Takeyuki Hanshi and is presently the highest ranked member of the Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-kai under Miura Sensei in the world. He is also a direct student of Kenzo Mabuni, the deceased Grandmaster of Shito-Ryu Karate do Kai.

Masayuki Shimabukuro is presently ranked 8th dan in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido (Iaijutsu), 8th dan Shito-ryu Karate-do, 7th dan in Shindo Muso-Ryu Jojutsu and holds the coveted title of Hanshi in both Iaido and Karate-do. Hanshi is the highest title one can achieve in the Traditional Japanese Martial Arts.

Shimabukuro Hanshi has also received the official appointment by the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai as the International Director & Coordinator for DNBK Iai-do and Batto-do divisions. He has also been awarded both Hachidan and Hanshi in Iai-do by the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai and is now representing the DNBK International for teaching the art of swordsmanship and budo outside of Japan.

Summary Timeline of Achievements and Rankings:

  • 1963 - Began training in Martial Arts
  • 1965 - Starts training in Shito-Ryu Japan Karate-do
  • 1975 - Starts training in Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu
  • 1975 - Starts training in Shindo Muso-Ryu Jojutsu
  • 1990 - Appointed Nippon Kobudo Jikishin-Kai USA Chairman
  • 1995 - Establishes Jikishin-Kai International
  • 1999 - Receives Shindo Muso-Ryu Jo-Jutsu 7th dan rank
  • 1999 - Receives Nippon Karate-do-Kai 7th dan rank
  • 2000 - Receives Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu 8th dan rank
  • 2002 - Receives Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaijutsu Hanshi title
  • 2006 - Black Belt Hall of Fame, "Weapons Instructor of the Year"
  • 2007 - Receives Dai Nippon Butoku Kai Karate-do 8th dan rank
  • 2007 - Receives Dai Nippon Butoku Kai Karate-Do Hanshi title
  • 2008 - Establishes Kokusai Nippon Budo Kai (KNBK)
  • 2008 - Receives Dai Nippon Butoku Kai Iai-Do 8th dan rank
  • 2008 - Receives Dai Nippon Butoku Kai Iai-Do Hanshi title
  • 2008 - Receives DNBK appointment as Iai-do International Division Representative
  • 2008 - Appointed Dai Nippon Butoku Kai California State Representative


Books by Shimabukuro Hanshi: Katsu Jin Ken, Living KARATE, Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship

 

 

 

 

HANSHI RONNIE COLWELL

COUNTRY: UK

 

 

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Ronnie Colwell is a recognized 10 Dan in Jujitsu and 10 Dan Shotokan Karate Do and has spent a lifetime pursuing knowledge on fighting systems throughout the world. Ronnie's CV is impressive including British military service, professional bodyguard, martial arts instructor to European and Middle Eastern royalty and special forces instruction.

After extensive time living and training in Japan, Ronnie became one of the founding fathers of both British Karate and British JuJutsu. Ronnie Colwell is a legendary figure in British Martial Arts. He is one of the founding fathers of British Karate and British Ju Jutsu. Indeed he held the post of first chief instructor to the British Ju Justsu Association, the governing body for Ju Jutsu in the UK.

  • World President of the WORLD KOBUKAN FEDERATION
  • Chairman of the Board WORLD KOBUKAN FEDERATION
  • Chairman of the Technical Board WORLD KOBUKAN FEDERATION
  • President of the JAPAN INSTITUTE
  • President of the SEI-BU-KAN KOKUSAI KYOKAI
  • President of the SEN-NO-SEN KARATE and JAPAN CULTURE INSTITUTE
  • President of the MIYAGI SCHOOL OF GOJO RYU KARATE, SOUTHPORT
  • President of the KOKUSAI KOBUJUTSU JYU JUTSU KORYU KYOKAI
  • President of the SHOTOKAN KARATE SCHOOL of MALTA
  • President of the LIVERPOOL FREE STYLE KARATE ASSOCIATION
  • President of the MUSHINKAI
  • Technical Advisor for Kobudo to COMBAT MAGAZINE
  • Technical Advisor to Martial Arts Illustrated


Colwell's life has been spent in the study of the martial systems of Japan. From a young boy in the back streets of Liverpool to today, he has tirelessly devoted himself to pursuing excellence. A renowned International instructor, Colwell has taught throughout the world. He is known as a very direct and straight talking budoka who doesn't suffer fools gladly. In Colwell's own words "I live my life as I train, always getting straight to the heart of it. Life is too short to waste on superfluous or wasted action. This is as true in the dojo as out of it."


 

 

 

SENSEI YUTAKA YAGUCHI

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

Yutaka Yaguchi is the Chief Instructor and Chairman of the International Shotokan Karate Federation (ISKF), 9 Dan Shotokan Karate. He was born in Hiroshima, Japan in 1932 and began karate training in 1952. He later tested under Master Funakoshi or his first Dan black belt and Master Masatoshi Nakayama for his second through eighth degree black belts. As one of the first graduates of the JKA

Instructors Training Program in 1959, he has played an important role in the growth of JKA karate and the internationalization of Shotokan karate.

Sensei Masatoshi Nakayama asked Mr. Yaguchi to join the JKA Instructor Training program full time. When he graduated from the program in 1959, he was the fourth graduate behind Hirokazu Kanazawa, Takayuki Mikami, and Mr. Eiji Takaura. Sensei Nakayama sent Yutaka Yaguchi to America in 1965, and he began teaching in Sensei Hidetaka Nishiyama's dojo in Los Angeles. In 1972, the year Sensei Yaguchi relocated to Denver, he was the coach for the US team at the 1972 Shotocup World Tournament in France.

As Vice Chairman of the ISKF, and as Chairman of the ISKF technical committee, Sensei Yaguchi plays a central role in the future growth of the ISKF in the United States and around the world. Yutaka Yaguchi is author of "Mind and Body - Like Bullet".


 

 

 

HANSHI FRANK W.DUX

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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Frank W.Dux American martial artist and fight choreographer. 10 Dan Dux Ryu Ninjutsu. Dux established his own school of Ninjutsu in 1975, called "Dux Ryu Ninjutsu". He is also notable as the inspiration of the 1988 film Bloodsport starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Dux was introduced to and trained in Koga Yamabushi "Ninjitsu" by Senzo "Tiger" Tanaka, beginning at age 13. In the 1970s, Dux began teaching Dux Ryu Ninjitsu. He opened his first school in North Hollywood, a suburb of Los Angeles, California in 1980. Dux and his students have coached and produced a number of boxing and martial art regional, national, and world champions.Dux has introduced, choreographed, and trained many of his students for the entertainment industry. One of Dux's first students to achieve a black belt, Stuart Wilson, has performed as an actor/stuntman in various film projects since 1990's Lionheart. Dux has written an autobiography entitled The Secret Man: An American Warrior's Uncensored Story. Dux was the inspiration for, and co-wrote, the 1988 motion picture Bloodsport, and also served as fight choreographer. The film featured Jean Claude Van Damme who portrayed Frank Dux. The film has been described by Dave Carter of Inside Kung Fu Presents The Complete Guide To Ninja Training as the "Ultimate Movie of the Ultimate Martial Art Contest".Dux also received co-writing credit for another Van Damme film, Inducted as a "Living Legend" in multiple Martial Art Halls of Fame: USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Action Martial Art Magazine Hall of Fame, Golden Globe International Martial Art Hall of Fame, World Martial Arts Hall of Fame.


Frank Dux Championship Titles: Kokoryukai/ Imperial/International Fighting Arts Association (IFAA) World Heavyweight Full-Contact Kumite Champion (1975 - 1980) undefeated, International Fighting Arts Association (IFAA) Freestyle Weapons/Forms Champion (1975 - 1980)


Frank Dux World Records

  • 1975 - Most consecutive knockouts 56.
  • 1975 - Fastest recorded Kumite knockout - 3.2 seconds
  • 1975 - Fastest recorded punch resulting in a knockout - .12 seconds
  • 1975 - Fastest recorded kick resulting in a knockout - 72 MPH
  • 1975 - Shortest knockout time average for fight career - 1:20 sec
  • 1975 - First to achieve IFAA Weapons/Forms score of a perfect "10"
  • 1978 - First Kumite fighter to exceed 300 matches
  • 1980 - First Kumite fighter to be undefeated with over 100 matches
  • 1980 - Final Kumite fight record - 329 matches
  • 1990 - Chi Kung Tug of War (Standing on one leg) - 66 people, Zug, Switzerland.
  • 1993 - First and only martial artist to break bullet proof glass barehanded, International Martial Arts Festival, Bercy Stadium, Paris, France.
  • 1993 - Multiple Champagne Bottle break, varying heights with a single kick, International Martial Arts Festival, Bercy Stadium, Paris, France.
  • 1993 - Chi Kung Tug of War (kneeling position) - 23 people. Lausanne, Switzerland.
  • 1993 - Bottle break (vertical palm heel) - International Martial Arts Festival, Bercy Stadium, Paris, France

 

 

 

 

SOKE TAKAYUKI KUBOTA

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

International Karate Association Founder & Grandmaster, 10 Dan Gosoku Ryu, I.K.A. INC. President & Chairman, Kubotan Founder.

Born in Kumamoto, Japan, Takayuki Kubota began studying martial arts at the age of four under the direction of his father, Denjiro Kubota. Because of his insatiable desire to learn every aspect of the arts, he trained daily and studied several different styles of martial arts. Despite his restrictive scholastic program and grueling training schedules, he managed to complement his martial arts training with additional studies in meditation, history and other non combative aspects of the arts. He distinguished himself by earning advanced instructor ratings in Judo, Aikido, Kendo, Iaido and meditation as well as calligraphy and several other arts. Grand Master Kubota began his teaching career at the age of 14 and it has flourished ever since. At age eighteen he opened his first dojo in Tokyo. He has taught police techniques for over 35 years from simple handcuffing to the world famous baton and Kubotan techniques. He has taught at 34 law enforcement agencies all over the world including the Tokyo and Los Angeles police departments, the FBI and the California Highway patrol. An American citizen since 1974, Grand Master Kubota devotes much of his time to teaching karate at his school in Glendale, California. Although he is well known for having been an instructor to some of the most prominent members of our society, he is most sincerely interested in the development of karate at all levels and has placed a special emphasis on teaching young people. Respect and discipline are two of the primary concepts stressed in all children's classes resulting in proper growth and the continuation of the art. In addition to his many other activities, Grand Master Kubota has written several books on the martial arts. His published works include Action Kubotan, The Art of Karate, Gosoku-Ryu Karate, Weapons Kumite and others. He has also produced a number of video tapes on the art. Takayuki Kubota is also an actor who has appeared in over 300 movies, television shows and commercials. The Mechanic, Killer Elite, Blue Thunder, Simon & Simon, Black Rain, Rising Sun and The Hunted are listed among his numerous acting credits.

 

 

 

KANCHO GERARDO CANTORE

COUNTRY: ARGENTINA

JAPAN / RUSSIA / USA / ARGENTINA

 

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True Living Legend in Karate. Students in more than 30 Countries of Asia, Europe and America. Pioneer of the Okinawan Isshin Ryu in Russia, South America, Nepal, Laos and Philippines. AJJIF Adviser in Okinawan Karate.

Kobudo Isshin Ryu, Menkyo Kaiden in Isshin Ryu Shinshinkan.

 

 

  • 10 Dan Judan Hanshi Kancho
  • 9 Dan Hanshi in Okinawa Shorin Ryu Karate Do
  • 9 Dan Hanshi in Aikijujitsu

Ex Buddhist Monk in Asian Countries. President of SWKO Shinshinkan World Karate Organization - Soke of Shinshinkan. Training Okinawa Karate Kobudo and Aikijujitsu together from the 60's. 8 International Videos of Okinawan Karate, Kobudo and Aikijujitsu in USA and Europe and published magazines about Shinshinkan in 11 languages. Bushido name: Ushi (The Buffalo ). Today in the World peoples say : "The Buffalo of the Isshin Ryu"


 

 

SHIKE GIACOMO SPARTACO BERTOLETTI

COUNTRY: ITALY

 

 

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Mr.Bertoletti starts the martial training when he was 12 years old with the Graeco-Roman wrestling and the fencing (foil).
He starts practicing karate Shokukai, that will develop in Sankudo and Sankukai with Master Jean Michael Baroche, one of the first black belt students of Master Yoshinao Nanbu in 1961. He practices judo and kendo, but above all ju jitsu of Japanese origin Yoshin Ryu. He also practices Shotokan in the school of Master Hiroshi Shirai (yudanshakai) and Masaru Miura, and Shito with S Shihan Ogasahara Eiji (Kenshukai). In 1976, with the foundation and leadership of the WJJF (World Ju Jitsu Federation) with Soke Robert Clark, he starts his long trips in Japan and he joins the school Hontai of Saburo Masanori Minaki, 17th Patriarch, thanks to the presentation of S Shihan Eiji Ogasahara, where he remains until Soke Minakis death (1986). He receives the 7th dan Kyoshi in 1984 by the same Master Sabuno Minaki, with whom also Soke Fumon Tanaka (Nippon Koden Kobudo) trained in secrecy.
In 1997 he gets the 8th dan by Soke/Sosai Kunio Tatsuno of the Sheshinkai of Osaka. In 2004 President Paul Hoglund (President of JJIF, International Ju Jitsu Federation) issues him the 9th dan.
His career culminates on April 2005 (Venice) in the grant of 5th Shike title of the school KodenENSHINRYU HonmonENSHINRYU-BUJUTSU, honorary and dynastic title that only a few western persons can get.

 

 


 

 

 

SHIHAN KOUSAKU YOKOTA

COUNTRY: JAPAN

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 


Yokota Sensei has extensive martial arts experience. Not only does he have over 40 years of Shotokan Karate experience, he has also studied other styles of Karate such as Goju-Ryu and Kyokushinkai, Judo, and Ki. He has experience with weapons as well, and has studied the ways of Nunchaku and Sai to deepen and supplement his knowledge and experience in Karate-do.

Yokota Sensei started his martial arts training in 1960 when he was just 13 years old. He began his training in Judo by taking lessons at the Hyogo Prefecture Police station. At this Judo dojo, there was a student who also practiced Karate he was practicing Judo to further improve his fighting skills. This practitioner impressed Yokota Sensei so much that even though he had been training in Judo for two years, Yokota Sensei switched his martial arts training to Karate. He joined the JKA affiliated Kobe YMCA Karate Club.

In 1973, Yokota Sensei moved to Philadelphia, PA and became a full-time instructor at the ISKF headquarters as well as a personal assistant to Master Okazaki, 10th dan, ISKF Chairman. Yokota Sensei was one of the top competitors in the East Coast Regional tournaments in the 1970s. He returned to his hometown Kobe in 1981 to complete his instructors training under the late Master Sugano, 9th dan, JKA Vice Chairman. As soon as he returned to Japan, he entered the Prefecture tournament and became the champion that year, and again in the following year. He also represented his prefecture in the JKA All National Championship in Tokyo in 1981 and 1982.

After completing the JKA instructors training, Yokota Sensei moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1983 to teach in Mountain View. He attained Go-dan (5th dan) from JKA in 1994. Yokota Sensei received Roku-dan (6th dan) from Master Asai, Chief Instructor JKS. Sensei Yokota is 8th dan by WJKA (World Japan Karate Association) and WUKO (World Unite Karate Organization). He is currently Technical Director and a member of Shihankai of WJKA. He is also Chief Instructor at his dojo, Byakkokan in San Jose California.

 

 


 

 

SOKE KRZYSZTOF ROSOWSKI

COUNTRY: POLAND

 

 

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Soke Krzysztof Rosowski - Grandmaster of the Budokan Institute & RODOKAN - Combat Kempo Karate (Hanshi 10 Dan)

Over 30 years of practicing karate Shotokan, Wado-ryu, goju-ryu karate combat, combat jujutsu, kobudo, aikido, kenjutsu, arnis, yawara and tai chi.

Is currently training his own system - Rodokan Combat Karate Kempo of Budokan Institute.

He worked as:

Security Advisor.

Director and proffesor in the Security Training Center.

In 1991 he founded the Institute Budokan (Grandmaster)

Soke Rodokan Combat Kempo Karate.

During his practice in the martial arts he has taught more than 25 000 students on courses in the Security Training Center, Budokan Institute and in partnership schools and organizations.

 

 



 

 

HANSHI PAWEL HANDZLIK

COUNTRY: POLAND

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Hanshi Pawe HANDZLIK 8 DAN. Born on 15th May 1964, in the city of Bielsko-Biala, Poland. He started training martial arts in 1979. First practiced fighting style - Karate Kyokushinkai-kan and sport Judo. From 1984 to 1990 - military service, graduated from the officer's school.
Worked in the Polish and foreign institutions. During his military service Paul Handzlik was practicing various fighting styles of a military profile as well as some regional fighting styles of Mongolia (wrestling). A lot of joint exercises with the instructors of special forces in Russia, England and Germany. In 1990,after the military service completion, he returned to the traditional martial art of Ju-Jutsu and Karate, which he has been practicing ever since. His main specialization is Ju-Jutsu adjusted to today`s realities of life, not forgetting about the traditions of the old Japanese clan-families. Within 30 years of his trainings he was the apprentice to many well-known Masters of Martial Arts and took part in numerous sport competitions of Ju-Jutsu and Karate. Pawe Handzlik`s Head Instructor and Technical Advisor is the Australian Master Soke Dave Franklin -10 Dan. In 2001 Pawe Handzlik becomes the President and Chief Instructor of The Polish Martial Arts and Defensive Sports Federation. In 2002 Master Pawe Handzlik sets up the Koryu Bujutsu Ju-Jutsu School of Martial Arts , which is based on Ju-Jutsu techniques with added techniques of Karate, Kung-Fu and other systems previously practiced. In 2008 Pawe Handzlik establishes The International Koryu Bujutsu Organization -and within this organization he provides training (seminars) in Poland and many other European countries (Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, France, Monaco, Lithuania, Ukraine, Hungary, Norway, Serbia .) The organization embraces more than 60 countries.
Titles

  • Hanshi Koryu-Ju-Jutsu - Dave Farnklin - 27th Jan, 2009
  • Hanshi Chowa-Ryu Ju-Jutsu -Dave Franklin - 27th Jan, 2010

Technical degrees

  • 8 Dan Koryu Ju-Jutsu - 27th Jan, 2009 - Soke Dave Franklin

* O-Sensei Philip S. Porter
* Soke Bryan Cheek

  • 8 Dan Chowa-Ryu Ju-Jutsu - 27th Jan, 2009 - Soke Dave Franklin
  • 7 Dan Dju-Su Kung-Fu - 5th Nov, 2008 - Soke Frank Steinbuchel
  • 6 Dan Karate-Do - 27th Jan, 2009 - Soke Dave Franklin

* O-Sensei Philip S. Porter
* Soke Bryan Cheek

  • 4 Dan Sport Ju-Jutsu - 15th Jun, 2004
  • 3 Dan Krav-Maga - 5th Jun, 2010 - IPP Krav-Maga Wochy - Alberto Merlo - Pierangelo Merlo
  • 2 Dan Aiki_Jitsu - 30th Mar, 2002 B.M. Dossett

Honorary Degrees
Several dozen honorary degrees in different systems and styles from different countries.
Professional Licenses

  • Ju-Jutsu Instructor professional qualifications: The Physical Culture and Sport Office
  • Karate Instructor - professional qualifications: The Physical Culture and Sport Office
  • Krav-Maga Instructor Level 3
  • Asian Self-Defense Instructor
  • Philippine Martial Arts Instructor - Iclass

Functions performed

  • President of The Polish Martial Arts and Defensive Sports Federation
  • President of International Koryu-Bujutsu
  • President of The World Martial Arts and Defensive Sports Federation
  • Vice President of German Sakibo Federation
  • International Director of U.S.M.A. The World Martial Arts Association (USA)

Representative for Polan

  • World Elite Black Belt Society (WEBBS)
  • World Martial Arts Association (USMA)
  • Cho Wa Ryu Ju-Jitsu
  • Jukoshin Ryu Ju-Jitsu
  • International Okinawa Karte-Do, Kobudo Association
  • World Organization of Self-Defense
  • Europe Goshinjutsu Association
  • International Gojitsu-Ryu Karate
  • and many other organizations from all over the world.


Master Pawe Handzlik `s all degrees are conferred and registered in the organizations:

  • U.S.M.A O-Sensei Philip S. Porter
  • W. E. B. B. S. Soke Bryan Cheek
  • D. F. M. A. Soke Dave Franklin

and well recognized and approved in dozens of countries around the world (more than 60 countries).
Currently, Hanshi Pawe, runs his Martial Arts School and The Sports Club 'DRAGON' in ywiec and in the vicinity of ywiec (6 clubs), together with his son Mateusz Handzlik-2 Dan.
He also organizes regular sports competitions of Ju-Jutsu league for children and big sport events, among others: The Open World Championship and The Open European Championships in Karate and Ju-Jutsu - November 2010 (over 400 competitors from 13 countries).
In 2009, Master Pawe Handzlik establishes the organization of a military profile "INTERNATIONAL COMMANDO SELF-DEFENSE, where the training is based on:

* Combat Ju-Jutsu , Krav-Maga , Asian Self-Defense , Combat Shooting and green and black tactics

 




 

 

 

 

 

HANSHI CEZAR BORKOWSKI

COUNTRY: CANADA

 

 

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Certified by the All Okinawan Karate-do Federation (Japan), Hanshi Cezar Borkowski, National Director, is an 9th Degree Black Belt with more than forty years experience studying, researching and teaching martial arts. In 1972, he established Northern Karate - one of the most successful, well-respected martial arts and personal development organizations in the world. Hanshi Borkowski is also the International Director of the Ryu Kyu No Kaze Society, which is dedicated to the preservation and propagation of traditional martial arts, and Director of Karate for the World Kobudo Federation, the largest global, multi-discipline martial arts organization.

As a former internationally-ranked competitor, Hanshi was Six-Time Canadian Champion. He was rated #1 by the Northern American Sport Karate Association and Professional Karate League, and has received hundreds of awards, trophies and medals. Furthermore, he trained numerous champions, is recipient of the Martial Arts Magazine's Coach of the Year award and has been named Instructor of the Year by both the Ontario Karate Circuit and National Black Belt League (NBL).

In addition to dozens of articles for a variety of martial arts publications, Hanshi Borkowski authored "Modern Shotokan Karate" and co-authored "The Complete Idiots Guide to Martial Arts". He also researched and edited the "History and Traditions of Okinawan Martial Arts".

His videotape credits include "Kobudo Weapons", "Winning Point" and the"Essential Okinawan Kobudo" series. Hanshi Borkowski has been featured in newspapers, magazines and on radio and television. He lectures on a wide range of martial arts and related topics at events around the world.

 




 

 

 


HANSHI JIM MATHER

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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HANSHI JIM MATHER, Chief Instructor at California Karate Academy is a world-renowned 9th Degree Grandmaster. He is recognized as one of the world's leading martial arts experts. He has devoted over 40 years to perfecting and teaching the martial arts. He is one of only a small number of martial artists in the world to be awarded the title of Hanshi, which is the highest in Karate. The traditional order of high instructor titles, from lowest to highest, is Shihan, Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi. Former National Karate Champion, Hanshi Mather has gone on to become one of the country's top coaches. He was selected as one of only three martial artists in the country who were allowed to train the official United States national Karate team at the United States Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs. As a national coach, he has led the official United State Karate team in high level international competition. Many of his students have been selected to represent the United States at many such events. In keeping with true Japanese martial arts tradition, his quest for physical mastery has gone hand-in-hand with his pursuit of intellectual excellence. The following are just a few of his many achievements:

  • President, United States National Karate Association (USNKA)
  • Former Vice President, International Students Karate Union
  • Former Chairman, United States Collegiate Karate Association
  • Coach, U.S. National Karate Team
  • Former Stanford Teacher and Coach
  • Former Vice Chairman, National Coaches Education Committee
  • Director, National Training Center
  • Former Trainer of FBI, Police, and Treasury Department Agents
  • Winner, World Master's Exhibition
  • Graduate, Elite Coaches College, U.S. Olympic Training Center
  • Member, California State Athletic Commission - Martial Arts Committee
  • Columnist, Black Belt Magazine
  • Hanshi Jim Mather has appeared on over thirty major network TV shows and been featured in many magazines and newspapers, such as Black Belt, Karate Illustrated, Inside Karate, Tae Kwon Do Times, Inside Kung Fu, Parade, West, Peninsula, Sports Illustrated, Bay Area Parent, The San Jose Mercury News, The San Francisco Chronicle, and more.
  • Hanshi Mather was also the subject of a PBS short feature entitled - The Arrow Catcher

 




 

 

 

 

SOKE LEIF HERMANSSON

COUNTRY: SWEDEN

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


After almost 50 years of training and the last 30 years mostly in Japan and Okinawa is soke Hermansson a very qualitative teacher in karate and iaido, but especial Okinawa kobudo.

- His family for more than 1000 years ago was Bjrn Birka, the famous Swedish warrior and Viking King

- Sensei Hermansson started his training of Martial Arts (judo & jujitsu) 1963 in Turku, Finland there he was born.

- Became karate instructor (Wadoryu) 1971 and also teach finish police department and military (special unit) in close combat when he worked as a military officer (sergeant) in Finnish army 1973-1975.

- 1974-1975 the karate-ka in Finland elected him to member of the board in Finnish Karate Federation. He also started 3 dojos in South-West part of Finland 1972-1976.

- Become the founder, president and instructor of Shaolin - Academy of Martial Arts 1976 in Turku, Finland. This Dojo still runs at the same place there soke Hermansson built it. The owner is now a friend of soke Hermansson with name sensei Ilpo Jalamo

- 1977 become a student in Yuishinkai karatejutsu and Ryukyu kobujutsu of the legendary Motokatsu (Gansho) Inoue, 10 dan hanshi, as one of the few students outside of Japan who has trained and lived together with Inoue sensei in Japan a longer time, up until the time of his death in 1993

- Moved 1978 to Sweden there he started Combat Martial Arts Academy that now runs by his sons Jesse and Oliver Hermansson in Tby, North of Stockholm

- 1979 started his training also in iaido in Stockholm (Budokwai) and 2 years later become a student of Komaki sensei in iaido

- the president in the Budo Federation for the middle part of Sweden 1980-1983

- 1984 The Swedish Budo & Martial Arts Federation granted him the highest reward for his work developing martial arts especially karate

- 1990 started his training also in jodo in Stockholm and become the student of Ishido sensei, 8 dan hanshi in jodo and iaido

- Started his training in Brazilian jiujitsu 1996 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by to become a student of the world champion Alexandre Paiva.

- After that his mentor and sensei Inoue hanshi died 1993, sensei Hermansson went to Okinawa for training with some other masters like hanshi Akamine (Shorinryu karate and Ryukyu kobudo), hanshi Hokama (Okinawa Gojuryu karate and Matayoshi kobudo) and hanshi Nakamoto (Shorinryu karate and Ryukyu kobudo), and he is now member of these 3 dojos and organisations.

- Sensei Hermansson travel to teach Martial Arts in many countries like Japan, South-Africa, UK, French, Holland, Austria, Belgian, German, Russia, Italy, Finland, Norwegian, USA, Moldova, Kazakhstan and Poland.

- 2003 he trained the Swedish national bodyguard team that they come number one in the Bodyguard World Championships.

- Awards to Hall of Fame 2000 for Lifetime Achievement of International Ryukyu Karate Research Society

- Swedish and European Champion in Iaido 1995-2004

- The ENSSEE-4 -level examination in Sports Management & Coaching of the Elite by Swedish Sports Confederation and Swedish Olympic Committee in Bosn Sports College, rests with Sisu in Stockholm 2005

- Head referee at World Championships in Kobudo 2004 in Austria by WKF

- Referee at World Championships in karate kata and kumite 2005 and 2006 in Italy by WTKA

- Head referee at World Championships in kobudo and iaido 2005 and 2006 in Italy by WTKA

- 2005 sensei Hermansson gets his Soke titel from Jiujitsu International signed by soke Yasumoto, 10 dan, soke Morris, 10 dan

and soke Karlsson 9 dan.

- Nominated to The Instructor of The Year by Swedish Budo- & Martial Arts Federation in March 2007.

- Awarded to Hall of Fame 2007 for Golden Life Achievement by WTKA World Traditional Karate Association.

- In July 2007 he made his 31st trip to Japan and Okinawa, this time for 3 weeks training together with 8 of his students from Sweden. During his visit in Okinawa, Tetsuhiro Hokama, 10 dan hanshi, get soke Hermansson a certificate to start his own style of karate sensei Hokama named to Shunahaku Ninbukan karatejutsu and soke Hermansson get his 10th dan diploma in both karate and kobudo 28 of July 2007.

 

  • Karate, 10th dan Hanshi (JJI, WKF)
  • Okinawa Kobujutsu, 10th dan Hanshi (JJI, WKF)
  • Daitoryu Aiki Bujutsu, 10th dan Hanshi (WJJABF)
  • Nippon Yawararyu Aiki Jujitsu, 10th dan Hanshi (NYRAJJR)
  • Bujutsu, 8th dan (WKF)
  • Koryu Uchinadi Karate, 6 dan Shihan (IRKRS)
  • Yuishinkai Karatejutsu, 6th dan
  • Ryukyu Kobujutsu, 6th dan (RKHSK)
  • Iaido, 5th dan (EKF)

 

 

 

 

GRANDMASTER DR. DAN NETHERLAND

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Grandmaster Dr. Dan Netherland is an author, a teacher, a motivational speaker and world traveler. He has been called Hands of Thunder and King of Breaking. At 5 6, Often weighing over 300 pounds of solid muscle, he has been aptly described as having the stature of a Bank Vault.

Netherland, a former polio victim, is a 10th Degree Black Belt (the highest rank obtainable in the martial arts). He has been awarded the title of Hanshi or High Master. He has been actively involved in the martial arts for over 55 years, holding black belt ranks in Aiki Jujutsu, Aikido, Jujutsu, Judo, Kempo, Karate, Kobo Jutsu and Batto Jutsu. Dan Netherland is not a martial artist in the modern sense. He follows a more ancient warrior path known as Shugyo (see Legend of the Stonebreaker by Dan Netherland).

Netherland has been officially declared a Living Legend and has been inducted into both the United States Martial Arts Hall Of Fame, and European Martial Arts Hall Of Fame. He is recognized as 10th Dan by the European Association of Diato-Ryu Aiki Bujutsu, 10th Dan / Soke by the World Jujutsu / Aiki Bujutsu Federation and International Martial Arts Council. He holds Professor of Martial Science by European Samurai Jujutsu / Aiki Society. He is recognized as Grand Master by the World Center for Real Aikido. He was honored by the Russian Martial Arts Community as World Champion Breaker.

Dan Netherland is the Undisputed World Power Breaking Champion. He has broken river rocks, granite slabs, stones, bricks, poured cement, padlocks, combination locks, chains, metal wrenches, files, 2 x 4s, violent prisoner maximum restrain straps, handcuffs and other seemingly impossible objects. He achieved the Greatest Break in History, 1 ton with 1 strike. The weight actually came to 2, 210 lbs of poured cement, 1,400 PSI, consisting of 30 slabs of cement. He has broken 19 commercial red house bricks to date with a single strike. He has broken through brick walls by hand and broken brick support columns by hand. He has broken 380 lbs of vertical standing concrete through a S.W.A.T. issue, class 3A Bullet Proof Vest with a steel trauma plate insert, this with a single strike. Netherland has performed documented inclined bench press with 650 lbs from the dead bottom position, no bounce, a foot up tricep dip in excess of 1,200 lbs, a leg press in excess of 2,400 lbs.

Dan Netherland is a decorated veteran police officer, having served as a patrol officer, patrol division captain, juvenile division captain, S.W.A.T. team commander and trainer. He was director of security / diplomatic executive protection, for the World Arab / U.S.A. Trade Association.

Dan Netherland represented the United States in the 2008 Martial Arts Olympics held in St. Petersburg, Russia, drawing a claim for his amazing breaking ability. He received special awards and honors from the Russian Martial Arts Olympic Committee.

Netherland received further international honors from the 2008 Beigeing Summer Olympics in China, as he has chosen to appear on the Wushu Commemorative Olympic Stamp Set. Out of 3 Million Practicing Martial Artists World Wide, Only 17 were chosen to be on the Stamp Set, Both Dan and his Son, Chad Netherland, were chosen.

Netherland is a published author. He has written books on martial science, martial training, philosophy, theology and poetry. He has several works of action adventure and mythology. He has been featured in martial arts trade magazines, the New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and numerous others. Netherland designed for Tiger Claw, their new Netherland Signature Edition Rebreakable Boards. He endorses the Tiger Claw Breaking Material and also Plymouth Pine Wood Breaking Boards.

 


Grandmaster Dan Netherland's official World Records

 

  • Most concrete slabs broken by hand with a single strike. 30 slabs. 7 / 16 / 2007
  • Most Locks Broken In 60 Seconds By Hand 32 Yale Padlocks. 5 / 25 / 2008
  • Most Locks Simultaneously Broken With A Single Strike. 4 Yale Padlocks. 5 / 25 / 200
  • Most Concrete Broken in 60 Seconds By Hand 3,014 lbs in 17.45 seconds. 2 / 26 / 2003
  • Most Concrete Blocks Broken in 60 Seconds By Hand. 55 Slabs of Poured Cement. 2 / 26 / 2003
  • Most Concrete Broken Through a Class 3A Bullet Proof Vest With Steel Trauma Plate By Hand With A Single Strike. 380 lbs of standing concrete. 6 / 26 / 2007
  • Most bricks broken by hand with a single strike 19 bricks. 5 / 25 / 2008
  • Most Tiger Claw Black Extra Strong Re Breakable Boards With a Single Strike By Hand. 10 Black Extra Strong Boards. 8 / 23 / 2007
  • Most Weight Lifted In An Incline Bench Press While Weighing Less Than 300 lbs. 650 lbs with body weight at 281 lbs. 1 / 11 / 2005
  • Most concrete slabs broken by hand with a single strike. 2,000 lbs (1 ton) 7 / 16 / 2007







 

 

 

PROF. DAVE CASTOLDI

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


For three decades, Prof. Castoldis school has been widely recognized as one of the top self defense schools within the national Jujitsu organization, Jujitsu America. The school has turned out many of the countrys top Jujitsu technicians, several of whom now run the most highly regarded Jujitsu clubs in the nation. Professor Castoldi is an instructor to numerous law enforcement, correctional officers including local and state police, FBI, U.S. Marshall Service, U.S. Secret Service and the military police. Trained in Judo and Jujitsu for over 10 years under Grandmaster John Wooten.

 

10th degree Grand Master of Castoldis Street Self Defense Awarded by Prof.Wally Jay, Prof.Willy Cahill, and Prof. Joe Souza

8th degree black belt Jujitsu America Awarded by Prof.Wally Jay, Prof.Willy Cahill, and Prof. Joe Souza

7th degree black belt Small Circle Jujitsu Awarded by Prof. Wally Jay

6th degree black belt Jujitsu Awarded by O-Sensei Phil Porter

5th degree black belt Judo Awarded by O-Sensei Phil Porter

2nddegree black belt Karate & Kung Fu Awarded by Master Winchell Woo

Regional Director Jujitsu America for the Northeast US, Florida, and the Gulf Coast

  • 1964 Began training with his father, Al Castoldi, the first American to bring Jujitsu to the New England area (circa 1945).
  • 1974 Founded the West Suburban YMCA Jujitsu School
  • 1978 Formed association with Professor Wally Jay 10th dan and founder of Small Circle Jujitsu. He began study and instruction of Small Circle Jujitsu theory, integrating its painful effectiveness into his own unique system of practical, no-nonsense street self defense.
  • 1983 Jujitsu America Instructor of the Year
  • 1988 Inducted into the Jujitsu America Black Belt Hall of Fame
  • 1991 Inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame
  • 1991 Awarded Jujitsu Americas Outstanding Ambassador Award
  • 1991 Inducted into the Zen Do Kai Hall of Fame
  • 1998 Inducted by Shihan Rocky DiRico into the International Black Belt Hall of Fame
  • 1998 Awarded Professorship by Jujitsu America
  • 1998 Recipient of the flag flown over the Capitol in honor of Jujitsu America
  • 2002 Awarded Jujitsu Americas Wally Jay Award
  • 2004 Awarded Jujitsu Americas Spirit of Kodenkan Memorial Award in memory of Professor John Chow Hoon
  • 2005 Awarded Jujitsu Americas Distinguished Service Presidential Award
  • 2005 Inducted into the WWKO (World Wide Karate Organization) Hall of Fame

Prof. Castoldi is a real survival story. At a young age he suffered from Polio and doctors told him if he survived he may not be able to move around properly. He began his martial arts training when his sister dragged him into the YMCA and introduced him to weight lifting and a Karate class. Prof. Castoldi slowly began understanding the martial arts system and began training in karate and kung fu simultaneously. He overcame the Polio epidemic with no problems to his movement and soon enough he was training in seven different styles of martial arts all at the same time. He would go from class to class and have each of his teachers yell at him because one of the styles he was taking would be the complete opposite of what he was learning in their class. One style said be fluid and loose while the other style said be firm and rigid.

In 1978 the 64 225 lbs Dave Castoldi was introduced to the 53 110 lbs Prof. Wally Jay who needless to say, manhandled Dave Castoldi. It was here Castoldi began training with Prof. Jay and integrated everything he had known into what is now Castoldis Street Self Defense System. The key to this system is practicality drawing heavily upon the principles of Professor Wally Jays Small Circle Jujitsu.

 

 

 

 

GRANDMASTER JOHN WOOTEN

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


The World's Strongest Man and holder of 143 World Records.

 

 

 

Examples of His Records:

  1. Pulled a280 Ton Train

  2. Pulled a727, 737 & 747 Jet Airliners

  3. Had a Tug of War with 7000 lb Elephant and won

  4. Back lifted same Elephant

  5. Pulledthe Sea Escape Cruise Ship weighing 32,000,000 lbs

  6. Prevented a Hot Air Balloon from taking off

  7. Heldtwo 750 Hp planes for 2 min and 56 sec at full throttle from taking off

John is a Grand Master in JuJitsu and a black belt in both Aikido and Judo. Having appeared in many national television shows, movies, commercials, newspapers and magazines throughout the world John is a media icon.

Founder of Woojutsu JuJutsu
10 Dan Vee Jutsu
8 Dan Judo
5 Dan Kempo Jitsu
Greco Roman Wrestling

Other Martial Arts studied :
Aikido, Taiho Jitsu, Kano JuJutsu, Shibakawa Ryu JuJutsu, Miyama Ryu JuJutsu, Arnis Stick Fighting, Philippine Knife Fighting, Savate.

Inductee: Martial Arts Masters, Pioneers & Legends Hall of Fame.

TV and Movies: " Spenser for Hire ", " Strong Talk " and many more.

Member of: Screen Writers Guild of America, Actors Guild.

Related Work: Stunt Coordinator, Martial Arts Choreographer, Screen Play Writer.

 

 

 

 

GRANDMASTER KENNETH Z. MIARECKI

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:


Began studying Martial Arts in 1960

Judan (Founder) - Sen-I Ryu Budo
9 Dan - Taiho Jitsu
7 Dan - Ju Jitsu
6 Dan - Kempo Jitsu
6 Dan - Judo
Member: World Martial Arts Council of Elders
World Head of Society, I.C.M.G.World Organizer of Martial Arts, Higher Council Committee.

Inductee: Martial Arts Master, Pioneers and Legends Hall of Fame
1998 Master Instructor of the Year
2001 Pioneer of the Year

Past Instructors include: Winchell PC Woo, Big Sam Williams, George Harris, Ron Hubbard,
Noriyasu Kudo, Ed Webb, George LaRue, Bernard Gil Gilbert, Phil Porter, Adam Lucky Lam, Ken Melbourne, John Wooten, Alan Cunningham.

 



 

 

 

SHIHAN STEPHAN BREU

COUNTRY: SWITZERLAND

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

Shihan Stephan Breu was born in 1965 in Switzerland. Since his youth he showed interest in Asian martial arts and the underlying philosophy. His first training included basic techniques in Aikido and later Kyokushin Karate (Kyokushinkai) and Shotokan Karate-Do. Professional reasons and Military Service caused a stop in the training of traditional Martial Arts. Restarting his training he reached 6th Dan with International Ryu Kyu Kai Karate Association and various other Karate-Do Organizations worldwide. He has been honored with a 9th Dan by Global Taekwon-Do Federation International and received a Doctorate of Philosophy in Martial Arts Science by the World Academy of Martial Arts Philosophy and Science. He is assisting Dojunim Paul C. Holley in developing his Kyuktoogi-System Yong Kwon Bup. Today he is focusing more on energy-training to develop "Ki" (chin. "Qi") and nourishing life. So he is heading Seishin-Ryu Kikoukai, teaching Seishin-Ryu Kikou-Jitsu (traditional and modern kikou-forms based on his training system Shaolin Yangsheng Fa) as well as basic knowledge of traditional Asian medicine and Zen-Buddhism combined with energetic healing methods (for example Reiki) for nourishing life of the practitioners. Grandmaster Mohammad I.Tianero confirmed him Grandmaster 10th Dan and Founder of Shaolin Yangsheng Fa. He is acting as Chairman of the Referee Committee of the World Sports Karate Federation (WSKE) and as licensed Referee Sanshou for Swiss Wushu Federation. In 2009 he founded International Bujutsu Society/Kokusai Bujutsu Kessha as an open forum and organization for Martial Arts enthusiasts worldwide where he is acting as President/Kaicho.He is also a Reiki Master Teacher in the Usui Shiki Ryoho tradition.

 

 

 

 

 

GRANDMASTER BOB WALL

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

Bob Wall is a 9 degree black belt Karate under Chuck Norris and the co-founder and CEO of a martial arts organization known as World Black Belt Inc.
For two decades Bob Wall was a force on the tournament circuit placing 1st or 2nd in every major karate championship from 1965 to 1972. Mr. Wall was also a member of the legendary quintet of Chuck Norris, Mike Stone, Joe Lewis, and Skipper Mullins sweeping the world professional titles for 1970, 71, & 72. In addition to his championship career in the ring, Mr. Wall was also the only actor to appear in three Bruce Lee movies. His most notable role was as the evil OHara in "Enter The Dragon," one of Warner Brothers top ten grossing films of all time. Mr. Wall and Mr. Lee were very close friends; they shared a special bond that lasted until Mr. Lees untimely death. To this day Mr. Wall speaks often and fondly of his departed friend. Mr. Wall also appeared in "Law Man Jeans", "Hai Karate" and "Black Belt Cologne" commercials and has made numerous guest appearances on "Walker, Texas Ranger", Hong Kong TVs "Enjoy Yourself Tonight", "Hollywood Squares" and "Family Matters", to name a few. Mr. Wall is also one of the most featured personalities appearing on the cover of 41 magazines including, "Black Belt", "Official Karate", "Fighting Stars", "Karate Illustrated", "Professional Karate", "Martial Arts Legends", "Budo", "Inside Karate", "Karate News", "Fighter", "Karate Budo", "Fighting Spirit" and "Karate Review". Additional honors include four Hall of Fame inductions and the Karate Pioneer & Martial Arts Museum Awards. Along with his many martial arts awards and accolades Mr. Wall is also a successful Californias Real Estate entrepreneur. In 1983 and 1984, Mr. Wall was listed in "Whos Who" in California and "Whos Who" in Business and Finance in 1998. In 1967 the legendary Chuck Norris and Bob formed a partnership with two Karate studios and grew them into a large chain of studios. In 1968 Chuck and Bob formed the first Martial Art school finance company, Martial Art Acceptance. The former Karate Champion, film star, trainer, manager, author, Grand Master and martial arts pioneer never allowed himself to be chained to a specific style or system. Its been said that if there is a part of the Martial Arts world untouched by Bob Wall, it must not have importance. In 1975 Mr. Wall authored the first, "Whos Who in the Martial Arts and Directory of Black Belts" which included over 5,000 martial art schools. This archive pays honor to the men and women whose success and achievements laid the foundation for generations of future martial artists. Today Mr. Wall continues his vision and is the driving force and inspiration behind "WorldBlackBelt.com". Mr. Wall has trained in many styles and systems with some of the most prominent martial arts legends. He studied judo under "Judo" Gene LeBell and Al Thomas, Okinawa-te under Gordon Doversola and Shorin-Ryu under Joe Lewis, Boxing under Chuck "The Hurricane Kid Simonini, Jujitsu under the world famous Machado Brothers, and Tae Kwon Do under Chuck Norris. "Joe and Gene toughened me up", Mr. Wall said. "But it was Chuck Norris that turned me into a complete martial artist and in the process taught me a lot of lifes lessons". Bob Wall continues to lead by example. In the dojo, on the mat, in the ring, or in the board room this high-energy martial arts and business Icon is a proven winner. Armed with a vision of things to come through WorldBlackBelt, Mr. Wall is leading the martial arts community into the 21st century with the same zeal and determination that he brought to the competition circuit 4 decades ago.

 




 

 

 

 

 

HANSHI MICHAEL J. BENFELL

COUNTRY: ENGLAND

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

10 Dan Karate

Born in Nuneaton 1947 Hanshi Michael Benfell began learning Ju-Jitsu from his father at the age of 6, his father later introduced him to Karate and Gung-Fu when 14. When at about 17 with a close friend Eric Daffen he attend seminars in Judo and Ju-jitsu with sensei`s like Otani later years karate seminars with instructor`s like Enouda sensei. Through out his 20`s and early 30`s Benfell hanshi began training in Gung-fu (Tiger Ripping Style) From Master Tom Carey, Grandmaster Bob Johnson and Master Harris, his biggest influence in Martial arts was Higoanna Sensei from the Goju-Ryu Karate Attending is seminars when in the U.K Benfell hanshi whole concept of martial arts changed, as he was awe struck by his power from some one of his size. Later with fellow instructors benfell hanshi became one of the founder members of Gao -Shan-Pai -Wu-shu although no longer an active instructor for the Gao-Shan. He set up the Ryukyu Association of karate and Gung-fu of which he is Chairman. Benfell hanshi teaches at the Nuneaton Dojo (Gyo Gyo Karate Jutsu Kai) as chief instructor.

 




 

 

 

 

GRANDMASTER FRANK M.SCHNEIDER

COUNTRY: GERMANY

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

  • 10 Dan Ju Jitsu
  • 10 Dan Street Combat Karate ( Head founder )
  • 9 Dan Taiho Jutsu
  • 7 Dan Nihon Aiki Jujutsu

At the age of 5 Sensei Frank M. Schneider came into contacts with the martial arts for the first time. Older playmates took him to JUDO and JIU JITSU. The following years he practiced several styles of BUDO and gained a certain technical repertoire that enabled him to learn a lot of martial arts which were generally unknown in Germany by then. Because of his vital interest in all Far-Eastern martial arts he subsequently practiced so-called hard styles such as TAEKWON-DO, SHOTOKAN KARATE, TANG SOO DO, KEMPO KARATE & KONG SO TAO. Little years later he improved upon softer arts such as SEN KI DO, KEMPO-JIUJITSU, JU JITSU, TAIHO JUTSU, CHINESE KEMPO, DJU-SU, HAPKIDO and AIKI JUTSU He also seized the opportunity to develop his knowledge of modern KICKBOXING and MUAY-THAI. From Japanese, Korean and Chinese Martial Arts (Kihon, Kata and free combat with half and full body contact) he came to a practice of adequate techniques of realistic self-defense in the real situation of the street. He was only a young student when his masters installed him as a coach for elementary children and adult courses. During his army service in the German Bundeswehr he was appointed to the rank of an assistant instructor for MILITARY CLOSE COMBAT within NCOs and officers courses. He filled the single-handed special training under the eyes of the responsible military ranks. Due to his activities the subject MILITARY CLOSE COMBAT was introduced for the first time within the basic training of recruits at 3./92nd Panzergrenadierlehrbataillon, Munster, with him as an assistant instructor and member of the examining board. Different study groups and teams of martial arts which he initiated and directed during his service, symbolized and represented his love of martial arts as HIS WAY OF LIFE. He has been following his course of BUDO for over 40 years now, and there is still a lot of new things to discover. Sensei Schneider was awarded a life-long honorary membership as well as representative functions for Germany and Europe by many world-wide associations. He was also given a seat in different committees of grandmasters. As a multiple member of international technical superintending commissions he is now a well-known technical adviser and consultant in special fields of examinations and courses of instruction.

 




 

 

 

GRANDMASTER DEN BUTLER

COUNTRY: ENGLAND

 

 

 

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Founder and Head of Genshin Kai International

  • 8 Dan Ju Jitsu
  • 7 Dan Black Belt Genshin Iaido
  • 5 Dan Shotokan Karate
  • 2 Dan Goshin Jutsu
  • 1 Dan Brithai Karate
  • 1 Dan Iaido
  • 1 Dan Judo

36 years involvement in the Martial Arts World. Other achievements include: International coaching and Instructing Diplomas, numerous National Awards, Honors Award. U.K. Associate Director for the C.M.A.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DR. KLAUS SCHUHMACHER

COUNTRY: GERMANY

 

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

11th Dan Black Belt in Hap-Ki-Do, 10th Dan in Tae-Kwon-Do (Mr. Schuhmacher is one of only a handful Non-Asians worldwide). Soke Schuhmacher's credentials and reputation are world renown. He has more than 37 years of experience in the study, training, researching, teaching, and performing several styles and systems of Martial Arts. Mr. Schuhmacher was grown up in Frankfurt, Germany. His Martial Arts career began as a little boy with Jiu-Jitsu and Judo under the legendary Grandmaster Heinz Guenther. Since 1994 Klaus was inducted into 35 Hall of Fame events in the highest categories, including International Grandmaster of the Year 2009, published in the 30th anniversary issue January 2010 of the worlds leading publication on Korean Martial Arts, Tae-Kwon-Do Times Magazine" ! This makes him the first German and European, who ever received a Hall of Fame induction, by one of the top three international Martial Arts magazines worldwide ! Soke Schuhmacher is the father of original Hap-Ki-Do in Thailand, Yemen, Bangladesh, and Costa Rica and appeared with articles about "Oh-Do-Kwan-Hap-Ki-Do" and "Progressive Hapkido" in the world's leading Magazine for Korean Martial Arts "Tae-Kwon-Do Times" ! He was the first who organized an international Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Europe and is responsible for bringing some of the greatest Martial Arts Grandmasters and legends to Germany / Europe ! This include: O'Sensei Philip S. Porter, Prof. Rico Guy, Dr. D. P. Hutton, Prof. Amin Sami Hassan, Sigung Tim Wolfe, Grandmaster Peter Chong, Grandmaster Kenneth Lewis, Prof. C. J. Krieger, Dr. Germon M. Smith. He also is a Philippines certified Instructor for Stickfighting (Minos-Perez Kali), which he practice since 1983 and a certified "Military Close Quarter Combat Tactics" Senior Instructor for his many years of teaching U.S. Special Forces, Army and Airforce personal during their stay in Germany.

 

 




 

 

 

 

SOKE STEPHEN LONSDALE

COUNTRY: ENGLAND

 

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

Stephen A. Lonsdale developed the style, Seishindo (the Spiritual Energy Way) based on his 37 years of martial arts training and 19 years as a Correctional Officer. He was aCertified InstructorinDefensive Control Tactics and Mechanical Restraints. He also was certified as anInstructorofNerve Pressure Point Control Tacticsby Prof. Georges Sylvain of the Algonquin Criminal Justice College and founder ofCan-Ryu Jujitsu. Mr. Lonsdale has earned black belts in Shotokan from Shihan Kim Hooi Wong of Shotokan Karate Association of Maylasia, Juijitsu from Sensei Dan Krupa under the auspices ofSoke Richard Morris ofJiu Jitsu International and Hakkoryu Jujutsu under the tutelage of Menkyo Kaiden Shihan Sandaikichu Michael J. LaMonica . (Mr. Lonsdale received his shodan in Japan from Nidai Soke Okuyama). He has been awarded Judan (10th degree) and the title of Hanshi by European Jujitsu organization. TheInternational Mixed Martial Arts Assciationrecognizes Mr. Lonsdale as founder ofSeishindoand he isCommunications Directorof that organization. SokeLonsdale has been inducted into theWorld Head of Family Sokeship Council Hall of FameandThe Martial Arts Masters, Pioneers and Legends Hall of Fameas Founder of the Yearfor the year 1999. In addition he and his art have been recognized bySoke Daniel Verkerke, founder ofSeicho Jitsuand President of theInternational Freestyle Martial Arts Organization. Soke Lonsdale has recently been inducted into theInternational Lu Tran Kung Fu AssociationHall of Fame; theCombat Warrior Martial Arts AssociationHall of Fameas Warrior of the Year; the International Tinh Vo Dao FederationHall of Fame.Stephen Lonsdale is the author of two books: An Introduction to Seishindo; A Modern Method of Self Defence and The Spiritual Energy Way. Soke Lonsdale was born in 1954 in Liverpool, England, grew up in Ontario, Canada is now an American citizen living, working and teaching seminars in New Jersey.

 

 

 

 

HANSHI BRUCE HAYNES

COUNTRY: AUSTRALIA

 

 

 

MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

" I would rather live one day as a tiger than a thousand years as a sheep." - Kyoshi Bruce Haynes

Hanshi Haynes started in martial arts at seven years of age with jujitsu, under Shihan Mathew Komp 10 Dan, and reached the rank of Black Belt at the age of seventeen. He then went to Kyokushin Kai under Shihan Eddie Emin, and started again from white belt and stayed there until reaching 5th Dan when he went to Japan to train under Kancho T. Azuma. Sensei Azuma broke away from Kyokushin Kai in 1990 and out of loyalty Hanshi Haynes chose to stay with him as a 6th Dan and in 1994 was promoted to 7th Dan. Hanshi Haynes is currently the 44 times Undisputed World Tamashiwari Champion and twice veterans Kumite Fighting Champion. He has 38 Dojos in Australia (2 in Tasmania), 3 in South Africa, 22 in Russia, 1 in New Zealand and one in Florida USA.

 

  • Australian Branch Chief Diado-Juku Karate Do Japan
  • World Tameshiwari Champion
  • Eight Times I.S.K.A. International Sports Karate Association World Champion
  • U.S.K.A. United States Karate Association World Champion
  • Double I.G.K. International Goju Japan World Champion
  • Double Unified Title Commission World Champion
  • I.S.K.A. American Open World Champion
  • Guild Of Australian Black Belts Australian Champion
  • International Kyokushin Karate Do Japan World Champion
  • Ashihara Kaikan International Japan World Champion
  • I.S.K.A. International Sports Karate North American World Champion
  • Inducted into the Guinness World Book of Records Hall of Fame(World Record Holder in Breaking)

 


 

 

 

 

PROF. FIKRET KUCUKAKDERE

COUNTRY: TURKEY

 

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:













  • World Budo Federation / General President - 10 Dan
  • Turkish Karate Federation : 5th degree Trainer, National Referee 5 Dan Karate
  • Kyokushin Kai Karate : International Trainer 4 Dan karate
  • Ashihara Karate : International Trainer 4 Dan Karate
  • IBK(International Budo Kai) : 9 Dan Karate
  • International Ashihara Karate : 6 Dan Karate
  • World Jiu Jitsu Federation : 8 Dan
  • World MAF : Representative, International Referee 8 Dan Karate
  • IBF(International Budo Federation) 8 Dan: Representative, International Referee, 8 Dan Karate
  • WBF(World Budo Federation) : International General President / Grandmaster, 9 Dan Karate and All Styles

He was born in Istanbul in 1946. He joined to military school in 1957. He met to east sports in those years. At first, he was interested in Shotokan karate, acrobatics and gym. He finished his military service in 1968 and went on east sports with karate. He met with Ferhat zsert in 1968 and started Kyokushin Karate with him. He make Trkiye like this sport with him by working till 1978. They were first Turks who were invited to Japan in 1979.They joined to Kyokushin Kai championships in October, 1979. He took the Turkish representation of MAF (Martial Arts of Federations) in 1979. In 1980, he became technical council member of Karate Federation in Trkiye. He went on this work successfully until 1985. He left Karate federation and set up his federation named as UDOSO. He also supported Karate Federation. He strongly helped the development of Karate. In 1986, he got contact with IBF (International Budo Federation) and got the representation of IBF in Trkiye. He made courses, seminars and championships in several cities of Trkiye and he won approval of sports world by working. He started to have contacts with foreign countries in 1992 and Turkish team got the degree of 3th in International IBF championship in spite of not being so much experienced. In 1993 Mr. Kkakdere joined to international championship with his group in Germany and he got the degree of team 3th, the degree of kata 2nd, the personal degree of kumite 1st, 3 personal degree of kumite 2nd and two personal degree of kumite 3th. In 1994 he and his group joined to European championship in Netherlands. 1994 He got one personal degree of kumite 1st, two degree of kumite 2st, four degree of kumite 3th. In 1995 Fikret Kkakdere and his sports men joined to European championship in Germany and got the degree of European team 3th, personal degree of kata 1st, five personal degree of kumite 3th. In 1997, IBF managed to set up a world championship in Trkiye and as a result, the name of IBF changed to WBF (World Budo Federation). In 1997, IBF World Championship to place in Metin Oktay Sports Hall and all IBF members were invited but just 13 countries could joined to this championship. In this championship Turkish male team get the 1st and Turkish female team get the 2st. In 1998 ,his started to work in order to set up WBF. They prepared the necessary documents and rules. Fikret Kkakdere became the general president of WBF for four years. He has still been working to make WBF stronger. In 2001 there will be WBF World Championship again and till 2001 Mr.Kkakdere will stay this carrier and in congress he will give the presidency of WBF to the president of the country which took the most votes.

 




 

 

 

SHIHAN DARIO SOTO MORALES

COUNTRY: VENEZUELA

 

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

Dario Soto Sensei began studying martial arts since early in the year 1979 in the discipline of Judo, in the same year he began studying karate with Shihan K. Morita later in the year 1984 begins in the discipline of Aikido sensei hands of Jose Abreu and Nidia Len, Jos Padrn, Sergio Hernandez, Dora and Luis Aldana Carricks direct students Carruge Ive Sensei Founder of the disciplines of Judo, Karate -Do, Ju-Jitsu, Aikido and Zen in Venezuela since 1958 after being tutored by Shihan TK Direct student Y. Lee Yamada Sensei in this discipline continues to receive the degree of Shodan 1st Dan Aikido Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan hands of the direct student of O Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. luego founding in the year of 1988 began their contacts with the great master of the Crown Yuichi Negishi Shinkyoku Ryu school of samurai with a respectable tradition in the family within his sole heir hassekawa the Soke Y. Negishi this great teacher was very happy to Sensei Dario Soto with whom he has remained until today as receiving direct student knowledge in the following traditional arts of Japan: Ju-Jitsu, Tai-Jitsu, Tai-Ho Jitsu, Kasafo, Ken- Jutsu, Jo-Jutsu, Jutsu Tambo, Tanto Jutsu, Traditional Karate, Yoshinkan Aikido, Judo and Zen Traditional

On March 30, 2004 founded the Soto Ryu Ju-Jitsu with his students decide to create more advanced techniques that will help continue to move this wonderful martial art as a contribution to the preservation of Ju-Jitsu in the world and our future generations.

Then on November 18, 2007 Latin American Federation of Ju-Jitsu Sensei and Soto certifies 7th Dan Ju-Jitsu and was appointed technical director of the Federation. Sensei Soto is currently developing his first book dedicated to his great master Soke Saiko Shihan Y. Negishi. CEO of B & M Studio a television production company which is conducting an audiovisual production of Ju-Jitsu applied to everyday life.

Soto Sensei: Aikido 1st Dan, 2nd Dan Ho Tai-Jitsu, 2nd Dan in Shotokan Karate, Shito Ryu Karate 3rd Dan 5th Dan in Japan Ta-Jitsu Shinkyoku Ryu - Ju-Jitsu, 7th Dan Ju-Jitsu, and Soke FLJJ Soto Ryu Ju-Jitsu 31 martial arts experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRANDMASTER RIGOBERTO LOPEZ VAZQUEZ

COUNTRY: MEXICO

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

45 years in Martial Arts

10 Dan Kung Do Lama, 8 Dan Jiu Jitsu, 1 Dan Okinawa Shoryn Ryu Karate-Do, Shaolin Kung Fu Instructor, Capoeira Instructor, Shootfighting KickBoxing / Muay Thai, Full Contact, Body Builders Champion, Precursor of the art of boxing, Technical Director / Founder of the Mexican Federation of Full Contact: Kung Do Lama

Police Training Technical Experience :

  • Instructor of the AD HOC "GERI" IN THE FEDERAL DISTRICT
  • Instructor of Private Security Agents
  • Instructor of the Battalion Military
  • Municipal Police Instructor DE TIJUANA BAJA CALIFORNIA
  • Police Instructor Naucalpan, in the STATE OF MEXICO
  • Bank Police Instructor (BANAMEX, SERFIN, Bancomer and banking associations)
  • Creator of the First Group in Police Special Municipal DE LA CIUDAD DE TIJUANA BAJA CALIFORNIA
  • Instructor of the Institute of Federal Judicial Police
  • Law Enforcement and Prevention of the Gang



 



SHIHAN ALFREDO BASSANI

COUNTRY: ITALY

 

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

 

 

 

45 years in Martial Arts

  • 10 Dan Kyoken Jutsu ( Japan )
  • 10 Dan Takemusu Ju Jutsu ( CSEN )
  • 10 Dan NATIONAL COLLEGE INTERN. WASCO FIAM EX AND
  • 10 Dan World Man Seer Kung Pai Kung Fu Academy Confederation / CSTCFO SHAOLIN
  • 10 Dan CULTURE from the President of BRASIL JAPAO
  • 9 Dan Takemusu Ju Jutsu ( A.I.C.S )
  • 9 Dan Aiki Ju Jutsu
  • 8 Dan Judo ( A.I.C.S )
  • 8 Dan Judo ( CSEN )



 

 

 

 

SOKE AUVO NIINIKETO

COUNTRY: FINLAND

 

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

Auvo Niiniketo, "Finnish-ju jutsu father" has been practicing martial skills of nearly all his life. Martial-boxing career began with the Helsinki Voimailijoissa Niini Kedon with 8-year-old. His best nyrkkeilysaavutuksensa are young Finnish championship series at 75 kg, for the year 1972 and the general series SM-bronze from 1974. Ju-jutsu Niiniketo visited for the first time in Sweden, in Stockholm, where he was boxing. Active boxing career, took the Niiniketo decided to train in karate, where he won the heavyweight championship in Finland in 1979. Niiniketo made its first ju-jutsuvyns up in a blue belt in Sweden. In 1977 began the first Niiniketo ju-jutsukurssin Helsinki Voimailijoiden gym. In 1978, Niiniketo met with the British by Richard Morris and Robert Clark, which started a fruitful cooperation, which continues today. Dan's first Niinikedolle admitted Clark and Morris in 1979. Niinikedolle granted 9 Dan on November 4, 2007. Authority, by Richard Morris 10 Dan. At the same time he was awarded the title Soke. Niiniketo brought Kickboxing to Finland in 1980. He began a regular course activities, and assembled the national team. He represents the World Federation of Finnish Kickboxing - Wako EU. In Kickboxing Niiniketo has reached 5 Dan belt level.

 

 




 

 

 

 

GRANDMASTER GEORGE A.DILLMAN

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

George A. Dillman, 10th Degree Black Belt in Ryukyu Kempo Tomari-te, honored by Black Belt Magazine as "1997 -- Instructor of the Year" is one of the USA's best-known and well-established martial arts personalities. Dillman came to the attention of the martial arts press when he began competing in the early 1960's. By the middle of that decade, he had started running his own tournament, called the Northeast Open Karate Championships. This competition was held annually -- the first kicking off in Palmer Park, Maryland in 1966. The site was moved to Suitland, Maryland in 1967, and moved again to Reading, Pennsylvania in 1968 where it was held until 1996.

Official Karate magazine (Nov. 1982) described Dillman as "one of the winningest competitors karate has ever known." Dillman was four-times National Karate Champion (1969-1972) and during this period was consistently ranked among the top ten competitors in the nation by major karate magazines. During his nine-year competitive career, Dillman won a total of 327 trophies in fighting, forms, breaking and weapons.

Dillman began serious martial arts training in 1961 with Harry G. Smith. He went on to study with Daniel K. Pai, Robert Trias and Seiyu Oyata. Dillman has always considered himself a student, never a master of the martial arts. To this end he and his students have traveled throughout the United States to meet and train with various martial arts experts.

Because of his perseverance, Dillman's martial arts talents have earned him widespread U.S. media coverage. He has appeared on 35 national TV shows, including: Real People, Mike Douglas, PM Magazine, Evening Magazine, and NBC's Sports Machine. Dillman has also been featured five times in Ripley's Believe It or Not, and has been the subject of over 300 newspaper and magazine articles. Dillman, who was a professional boxer for three and one half years, is the only person known to have trained with both Bruce Lee and Muhammad Ali. In May of 1988, Dillman was inducted into the Berks County Sports Hall of Fame. He was the first martial artist to be included. In 2003 he was inducted into the Schuylkill County Sports Hall of Fame.

Dillman traveled the world teaching seminars on pressure points and tuite (grappling) hidden within the traditional movements of the old martial arts forms. It is his research and scientific dissection of the old forms that is earning him his most notoriety. Never one to shy away from controversy, Dillman has rediscovered a formerly secret level of meaning for kata movements, and has made that interpretation understandable to all. He has produced a DVD instructional series on the pressure points, and has written six books with Chris Thomas. Kyusho-Jitsu: The Dillman Method of Pressure Point Fighting; Advanced Pressure Point fighting of Ryukyu Kempo; Advanced Pressure Point Grappling: Tuite; Pressure Point Karate Made Easy; Little Jay Learns Karate; and Humane Pressure Point Self-Defense. The books have been said to be, "the definitive martial arts books of the century," and "unparalleled among current martial arts literature."

Dillman is the chief instructor for Dillman Karate International, an organization of over 150 schools worldwide, with an enrollment of nearly 25,000 students. He has studied under five 10th degree black belts from Okinawa.

"George Dillman has probably done more for the traditional martial arts than any other person alive"
BLACK BELT MAGAZINE
September 2003

 

 

 

 

 

PROF. TONY MAYNARD

COUNTRY: USA

 

 

 

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MARTIAL ARTS BIOGRAPHY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Former Marine
  • 9th Degree Prof. Tony Maynards American
  • Combat Ju-Jitsu
  • 9th Degree Ju-Jitsu (American Ju-Jitsu Association)
  • 8th Degree Black belt Ju-Jitsu (Ju-Jitsu America)
  • 4th Degree Karate (Isshinryu Karate)
  • 2nd Degree Chito-Ryu Karate
  • Nidan Judo
  • Owner and Operator of American School of
  • Self Defense, Inc. Kernersville, NC,U.S.A.
  • Founder of the American Combat Ju-Jitsu System
  • Student of Professor Wally Jay
  • Professor Wally Jay Award 2009
  • Past Chairman World Council of Ju-Jitsu Organizations
  • Past Head Coach U.S. Ju-Jitsu Team
  • 2006 Professor John Chow-Hoon Award
  • Southern Regional Director Ju-Jitsu America
  • Southern Regional Director American Ju-Jitsu Association
  • Past President of the U.S. Ju-Jitsu Association
  • First American to compete in the World Ju-Jitsu Championships WCJO 1984
  • Certified Hand-to-Hand Combat Instructor, Department of the Navy
  • Member of Ju-Jitsu Americas Black Belt Hall of Fame
  • Member of World Martial Arts Hall of Fame
  • Member of World Head of Family Sokeship Council Hall of Fame
  • Honorary life member and Headmaster of AJJIF Combat Ju-Jitsu Division USA
  • Instructor of the Year Ju-Jitsu America 1991
  • Instructor of the Year American Ju-Jitsu Association 1985
  • Certificate of Recognition Distinguished Service Award, Ju-Jitsu America
  • Certificate of Recognition American Ju-Jitsu Association
  • Certificate of Special Recognition from U.S. Congress
  • Presidents Award from the American Ju-Jitsu Association
  • Instructor of the Year East Coast 1983 and 1984 American Ju-Jitsu Association
  • Member of Board of Advisers to Prof. Wally Jays Small Circle Ju-Jitsu
  • Member of Board of Advisers for Professor George Kirby's Budushin Ju-Jitsu
  • Technical Adviser for Longwood Universitys Jigoku Dojo
  • Technical Director Zenkemporya Ju-Jitsu Association
  • Technical Director of the British Kempo Ju-Jitsu
  • Producer of three American Combat Ju-Jitsu videos




 





 

 

 

 













 

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