Congratulations to those who tested for rank

LenTesta · Post by **LenTesta** » Mon Aug 12, 2002 4:56 pm

There were many Uechi-ryu Karate Do students who have been elevated to the next level during the last three days.

I would like to congratulate every one on doing such as fine job.

Special Congratulations are in order for my dear friends and acquaintances,

Bob Campbell – Hanshi
Tracy Rose – Kyoshi
Mike Rozumek - Kyoshi
Henry Thom – Renshi
Mario Rizzo – Renshi
Greg Postal - Godan

Also on Sunday at the BUKA these students were promoted by Sensei Campbell in a very touching ceremony…

Jay Salhanick – Renshi
Gary Wong - Renshi
Darren Yee – Renshi
David Moy – Requests that rank be kept secret. David you are one of a kind man. It is not a bad thing my friend, to be recognized by a certificate. Especially from such a fine organization as Bob Campbell has.
Vladimir Fookson - Godan
Ed Duncan –Godan
Brian MacDonald – Yondan

Congratulations to you all and anyone I may have inadvertently failed to list.

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Len

mikemurphy · Post by **mikemurphy** » Mon Aug 12, 2002 6:28 pm

Len,

A very hearty congratulations to all those who tested on Sunday evening as it was unexpected. Some of those on the list I know very well and others I don't, but I can be rest assured that if Sensei Campbell approved their rank then they must be something else!

As for David Moy...I don't care what rank he is, he will always be a "sensei" in my book because he is certainly the epitome of Budo!

Congrats David (I know you hate this but this is how many of us feel).

mike

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Mon Aug 12, 2002 9:14 pm

May I take this opportunity to add a name to the list?

The promotion of Dr. Joan Niede to nanadan is a remarkable event for both karate in general and Uechi Ryu in particular. Joan - believe it or not - sat in on my nidan test in 1979. The test happened in a small room with a rug floor over a New York restaurant. It was Joan, David Finkelstein, and George. After it was all over with, Joan filled my ear with her own personal commentary (different I might add from what David and George told me), making reference to her experiences with and observations of the Shinjo family (Seiyu and Kiyohide). I'll never forget the comments, and never forget her contribution to my path.

And now 23 years later, she is here getting her recognition - perhaps way past due.

Oh, did I mention Joan was a woman? Yes, she is truly a "Jackie Robinson" of Uechi ryu. Because of her trailblazing efforts, countless women now know they don't have to bloody THEIR foreheads dealing with all the things a woman must tackle in "a man's world." That's not to say there won't be more issues in the future. But it took someone like Joan making it look easy (relatively speaking) to make it easier for all the other women in Uechi as well as martial arts in general.

Joan is truly a role model for women, and for highly educated and professionally motivated karateka in general.

- Bill

david · Post by **david** » Tue Aug 13, 2002 1:02 am

I also want to congratulate the folks who ascended to the upper echelons of the IUKF fold this past weekend. It's truly an amazing group, to which I will add the name of Brian M. Stoia, 6th dan. Brian started out at the old Mattson's Academy and went on to train with other well known instructors (as well as to pursue some very interesting edeavors in other arenas, in my opinion).

Len, nothing in my martial arts training compared to the day when I was accepted as a student of Bob's (I literally asked and he said, yes, after some thought). I am deeply honored to continue to have him as an inspiration for my training but, more importantly, as a friend. I am also sincerely honored to be able to train with GEM sensei at the "hut", without conditions, despite my noticable idiosyncracies. I am also honored and grateful to be welcomed to train at your dojo, Mike Murphy's and some others in this state and elsewhere. These opportunities and relationships really are the elements of my "martial arts dream."

I am (at least, I hope) much different from where I was 30 odd years ago. But I am not much different from a year ago. Certainly not at all different from before this weekend to this morning. I have been blessed and have known this for quite awhile. Though appreciated, nothing else is needed.

david

[This message has been edited by david (edited August 12, 2002).]

Brian MacDonald · Post by **Brian MacDonald** » Tue Aug 13, 2002 7:36 pm

Many thanks Lenny Sensei!

Also many thanks for graciously hosting us at the BUKA this weekend.

Brian MacDonald

f.Channell · Post by **f.Channell** » Wed Aug 14, 2002 1:52 am

Just a few weeks ago I was saying to lenny that I thought Jay Salhanik should be a Renshi after taking one of his friday classes....
Congratulations Jay Sensei on your promotion.
Brian, David, Vladimir way to go.
fred

Rick Wilson · Post by **Rick Wilson** » Wed Aug 14, 2002 6:38 am

Wow. Congratulations to all.

Rick

Deep Sea · Post by **Deep Sea** » Thu Aug 15, 2002 6:58 am

Congratulations to all those who tested, but especially the warmest and most heart-felt to my close friend Jay, and to Tracy, a man of the highest character who always puts others before himself.

David, in trying to fool me some years ago wore his standard-issue white belt at the Hut and asked me to take it easy on him when we met because he was only a white belt.

I knew you were just burning to dish it out to someone that day and already had focused on your intended prey, so I did

. Whatever rank you earned over the weekend, you deserve it and are up there with the best of them.

As I read the names above, however, I recognize some of them as being genuine white belts, seeming only a few years ago -- as teens and college students, just whizzing by, burning up the hot black belt trail behind them. To you young whippersnappers, especially to Vlad and Brian, alsways be true and honest with yourself and your rank, no matter how thin the air gets, and your attitudes will carry you far in life.

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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera

david · Post by **david** » Thu Aug 15, 2002 10:03 am

Allen,

Thanks for the well wishes.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>David, in trying to fool me some years ago wore his standard-issue white belt at the Hut and asked me to take it easy on him when we met because he was only a white belt.

I knew you were just burning to dish it out to someone that day and already had focused on your intended prey, so I did. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I remember that day as well. However, rather than trolling for prey, I wore a white belt for the simple reason that I was just starting to train with George sensei again. I was still heavily into aikido and constantly carried or had in my car the standard uniform and issued (white) belt. Also, I have learned to be low key in a new setting. I believe we were doing conditioning when I said "take it easy" because I hadn't done those in awhile (and I was/am not a big fan of body smashing exercises.) Secondly, better I said that up front because I didn't know you. Were you to try to hurt me in mindless macho smashing game (which I had seen and continue to see), I would have felt a strong compulsion to go after you (or anyone else for that matter). And, it won't be by standing there in a tit for tat exchange... I know myself. I was/am not looking for prey. Neither will I be someone else's.

david

david · Post by **david** » Thu Aug 15, 2002 11:19 am

Speaking for my older Chinatown brothers, the tests have occurred long ago in a manner where some only can imagine in their martial dreams or nightmare. Some bear scars as a testament to these past "tests."

While I cross back and forth across invisible boundaries, my brothers are not part of the larger network of the Uechi world. They are very much immersed in their own vibrant social networks/community. Their perspectives of and obligations to each other are but extensions of that cultural milieu.

The ceremony is but a renewing of bonds, a transmission of the heart and mind. Bob was able to enter into our community in a way none other "outsider" could during those days. While he gained, we did as well with the skills he imparted. We are indebted to each other. We celebrate our connection, our intertwined histories.

Nothing more needs to be said. The ripples of this event belong in another pond.

david

Harvey · Post by **Harvey** » Thu Aug 15, 2002 3:15 pm

Bill, sensei. I, too, noticed that Joan is a woman. And I don't have a Ph.D. in biomechanical engineering.

Bill Glasheen · Post by **Bill Glasheen** » Thu Aug 15, 2002 3:32 pm

Luckyd88 · Post by **Luckyd88** » Fri Aug 16, 2002 10:45 pm

It was a very interesting ceremony, especially when we got to see different interpretations of the Uechi katas. I could see that everyone, especially Bob, was quite moved during the presentation of the certificates. It was truly an unforgetable experience.