What does it take to be a Grand Master?

[yireses]

Around 10 or 15 years ago, you cuold count All the Grand Master almost of the hole world with on hand. Now only in the USA you cant count them. What does it take to be a Grand Master? I am mean no disrespect to all the Grand Maters, just curious. Thank You very Much

[Drunken Monkey]

something has been lost in the translation of the title 'grand master' from chinese to english.

 

in chinese grand master simply means the teacher of your teacher.

 

in the case of yip man, he was called grandmaster because most people taught in the u.s were, in the 70's, students of his students.

 

now, those new students have students making yip man's students 'grand-masters'.

 

the title of grandmaster did not relate to his position within the wing chun family.

 

however, today, it seems that the grandmaster title is used to say someone is the 'grand' master of a particular style.

 

not the same.

[equaninimus]

A really big belly, "certification" from an organization no one has ever heard of (it helps if you own it) with a silly name like the "International Dragon Knights Society," a PhD from an unacredited school in something like "Oriental Philosphy," photos of yourself with famous instructors (available by attending seminars), and a certificate witha lot of fancy "oriental" writing. Aviator glasses, a cheesey little moustache, and a gi with lots'o'patches are also useful. You should also refer to yourself as "soaky" and demand that your family, friends, and the neighborhood chihuahua bow to you.

 

Next, offer to only teach your "secrets" to carefully selected individuals whom you will be able to trust not to misuse the knowledge. To ensure someone is eligible to receieve this knowledge make sure their check clears! Offer certification in your system by "video testing." Put out lots of instructional tapes, but be careful never to actually do any techniques on them yourself. The same rule should hold true for seminars, where any activity other than talking is discouraged. If you don't have a convenient injury to explain this, make one up.

 

That should get you stared.

[Beka]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

It reminds me of the pathological liar boyfriend I had when I was 14. He said he was a black belt, and that his uncle was his teacher. He would send him letters with diagrams and written instructions on how to do the moves. Somehow, through this method he got all the way to his black belt.... Right. He was also a Navy Seal (at 15, no less!), so it was totally believable.

[Shorinryu Sensei]

Just a little side note here. I remember reading in Black Belt magazine maybe 25 years ago or so, that there are more Grand Masters in ANY large American city (New York, LA, Chicago, etc) then there are in the ENTIRE Orient! Wow, we Americans must be pretty dang good, huh?

[WolverineGuy]

Yay for USA!

[equaninimus]

And most are under forty!

[WolverineGuy]

Well, by age 12 you should have your 17th degree black belt to be the ultra grand dragon master in San ishin roku ni hachi mu duk kwan tae bo ryu karate.

[granmasterchen]

can you get me a patch for that school....?

[kempocos]

All you have to do is admit you are better as a blue/purple/brown belt then any instructor at your school. Then admit you have more insight than any other styles instructor, come up with a cool name for your style. Then comes the hard part buying the red and gold belt and ad space in BLACK BELT MAG. nameing yourself the founder. Poof you are a grandmaster. Then rent space hire an office person to mail out the applications to all the associations. Before you know it you are a legend