Martial arts organizations

[MasterH]

Yeha i remember discussing this before - as you get so senior [near 9th or 10th] you should really start becoming an ambassador for your art, and therefore recognised for it.

Well in TKD, I only know of one 10th Dan Eternal GM H. U. Lee of the ATA, but I'm sure there were others. His 10th Dan was recognized by other GM's but he only recieved it after his death.

[Enviroman]

Well, as old GMs die off, new ones tend to take their place. At least in a lot of styles that's the case.

[MasterH]

Well, as old GMs die off, new ones tend to take their place. At least in a lot of styles that's the case.

Yup, the circle never ends.

[sk0t]

Hmm...

10th Dan...wow.

I know of some people in the MA community (without naming names) who have self-promoted themselves to 9th or 10th Dan. Do I agree with it? NO

I once knew of a guy here in my hometown who got his green belt in Judo, and a ranks a few kyu/geup levels in some other things, and forged them together to create his own blend. He promoted himself to 10th degree and had quite the following. Do I think he was good, dont know, do I think he deserved to circumvent the ranking process...NO.

I dont think anyone can earn a 9th or 10th degree unless they have THEIR lifetime dedicated to training...I am sorry but 30-40 year olds arent viable GMs to me.

[MasterH]

Hmm...

10th Dan...wow.

I know of some people in the MA community (without naming names) who have self-promoted themselves to 9th or 10th Dan. Do I agree with it? NO

I once knew of a guy here in my hometown who got his green belt in Judo, and a ranks a few kyu/geup levels in some other things, and forged them together to create his own blend. He promoted himself to 10th degree and had quite the following. Do I think he was good, dont know, do I think he deserved to circumvent the ranking process...NO.

I dont think anyone can earn a 9th or 10th degree unless they have THEIR lifetime dedicated to training...I am sorry but 30-40 year olds arent viable GMs to me.

I completely agree with you on the self promotion crap. I happen to be a 32 year old 5th Degree, I can make GM by 50 (8th Degree is GM in the HTF). But to tell you the truth, I'm happy at my current rank.

As long as thoes in question have the rank certificate with the appropriate signatures, that's all I need to know.

[WilliamMKlase]

Roy W. Klase (Bill) Was my father. I began being trained in the martial arts as a toddler back in the early 80s before my dad even had classes at the 49th St location, which was ran by Neil Humerstone(Aki Tora Ryu) when my dad first started running his own classes there, until eventually taking over the location and teaching only his own system.

For anyone questioning his rank as a 10th dan , everyone is intitled to an opinion however here are some feats I will list that my father performed during some of his prime years.

Breaking 10 bricks consistantly with a shuto or a seiken, breaking three 50lb blocks ontop of the St. Petersburg pier with single punch,cutting watermelons ontop of peoples stomachs while blindfolded, piercing himeself with a bicycle spoke and hanging cinder blocks from them,and numerous other inovative breaking techniques for his time. If that's not interesting maybe knowing that he was a sulsa(specialist) in eun shin bop fully trained by the South Korean ROC Army's White Horse Division. He enlisted in the US Army at the age of seventeen and was participant in the tet offensive in vietnam.

He would possibly be here today to defend himself if it weren't due to exposure to agent orange and maybe another reason. Almost everyone has critics.My dad probably wouldn't really care what someone thought about his rank. Similar to me I don't and never have cared about ranks. I still morn my father every day , but now I have began training again this time away from a commercialized school and back to the OLD SCHOOL.

[Kickbox]

Mr. Klase was a hero to many. If he fought in VietNam he was a bonified American hero...having served this country in war. Pay no attention to critics. If you come on a forum expect to be side swiped by people that don't have any other way to get attention.

[jkitarogers]

I know that this is an old thread but i was deployed when this happened. Me and my dad used to study with Grandmaster Klase years ago, He was my inspiration even until today. When he passed my father sent me the article and I still display and read it all the time. His art will never die as long as I am alive. I am not an instructor or even a black belt in the style, but I still practice today and I have not joined a shool since then because of the very high standards a school must meet to be competitive with ToraSamaDo. I have visited Bill sporadically over the years I have known Him and we even went skydiving one time, I have that on video. I also have the school logo tattooed and I have had that since 1997. He has my utmost respect and if I can be of any assistance to anyone I would take it as a personal honor to speak or anything else on his behalf.

[Scottster]

I agree. Bill Klase has done nothing but earned the respect of everyone that has ever come in contact with him. I have enjoyed the years that I was his student and also studied with his brother Dean Klase - a former full contact world champion. Bill Klase has developed and promoted a great style.

I do not believe that the measure of a style is in it's popularity. Because I know several VERY popular (well known) styles that I would not waste any time with. Mcdonald's has the most well known hamburger in the world. More people eat it than any other. But no one actually thinks it is the best.

I can say that Bill Klase is possibly one the greatest human beings that I have ever met. I consider it an honor to have studied under him.

Scottster

[YoungMan]

Common thing to do: found your own organization, then declare yourself 10th Dan through that organization without telling people you founded it. People think you're an authentic 10th Dan.

Guy who teaches Tae Kwon Do not too far away from me did that. His resume says 10th Dan in X organization. However, a little research will uncover he founded the organization he claims 10th Dan in.

No names to protect the guilty. Sad thing is, people follow him.