Page 29 - Martial Science Magazine Dec/2014 #6

WHAT IS YOUR MARTIAL ARTS BACKGROUND?

I began martial arts practice in Cleveland, OH in1967 with
Judo under Mr. Harold King. In 1969, I began studying Kenpo
Self-Defense, a combination of Okinawan and Chinese Kenpo,
under Master Herman Griffin (aka “Griff”). He remained my
primary teacher until his death in 1998, which was the year I
was awarded 6th Dan. I was also on my high school wrestling
team for three years and trained in boxing with my brother
who was an amateur champion.

I’ve studied with many teachers and arts over all those years.
Some important influences were: 5 Animals Kung Fu (Liu
Seong) with Art Sykes; Aikido with Dusty Young in Atlanta and
James Noriega in Las Vegas; Small Circle Jiu Jitsu with Wally
Jay; Jeet Kune Do Grappling with Larry Hartsell, Daito Ryu
Hakuho Kai in NYC, Muso Shinden Eishin Ryu Iaido, under
S.T. Khan in NYC.

In the 1980s I was a seminar ‘junkie’ for a while and was
fortunate to learn from many great teachers such as, William
Cheung (Wing Chun), Francis Fong (Wing Chun), Chai Si-
risute (Muay Thai), Paul Vunak (Jeet Kune Do), Stephen K.
Hayes (Ninjutsu), Graciela Casillas (Kickboxing), Reylson
Gracie (Gracie Jiu Jistu), Paul de Thouars (Pentjak Silat) and
many others.

The two strongest influences on me besides my main teacher
are Guro Dan Inosanto (Jeet Kune Do Concepts, Filipino
Martial Arts, and Indonesian Silat), and my current jujutsu
instructor, Sensei Jose Carricarte who teaches old style Japa-
nese Jujutsu (Kito Ryu, Morita Ryu). I first encountered Guro
Inosanto in 1987 and have studied his methods ever since. I
believe he is one of the greatest martial artists of our time and
his skill and knowledge are beyond compare. I began studying
with Sensei Carricarte in August of 2011. His understanding
of traditional Japanese jujutsu is unique and thought by many
to have been lost. I have tried to assimilate the various princi-
ples and techniques from all these great teachers and arts into
my conception and practice of Kenpo.

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