Awesome Black Belt Testing

What an amazing testing hosted by Master Bridget and Master Stephanie and American Dojo Karate in Scranton.  Upon arrival everybody was geared and ready to go for the fighting phase of black belt testing. Matt Van Horn was nervous yet eager to take everyone on, thirteen fighters including myself. After a brief meeting we proceeded the fighting test which went on for about 40 minutes nonstop. For the black belts it was quick exchanges, but for Matt I'm sure it seemed an eternity to fight nonstop like that.  After the test it was proven that Matt's warrior spirit is unbroken.

I would like to extend special thanks to Master Bridget and Master Stephanie, and all of the students: Ian Loftus, Emily Loftus, Bryce Yanni, Devon D'Andrea, Brian Martin, David Lutchko, Jason Giovagnoli, Jordan Washko, Zachary Niemier, and Justin Fontanella for hosting a wonderful event.

After a brief donut break we proceeded with the Black Belt ceremony. Once Matt Van Horn received his black belt diploma, belt and ring, we lined up to welcome his black belt with Kicking In. I can't say enough about Matt other than he is a wonderful human being, friend and martial arts instructor and I"m very proud to have him in my life.  My warmest congratulations to you Sensei Matt Van Horn.

Birthday dinner

Heide, Kathy and I went out for a long awaited sushi/sashimi boat.  Chris didn't touch fish and tried chicken tempura.  Everything was delicious.

Dan Testing Brookhaven, PA

It was an amazing time at MBMA Karate in Brookhaven, PA. It was great to get together with Masters I have not seen in a while - Master Alan Cheung, Master Lingo, Master Santiago, Master Joe and Master Tanya.  It was a very educational testing of Master Alan's students and a student of mine as well, Miss Elisa Greene.  They ran through many forms upon request, answered many questions about what they have learned, and did very well during testing.  I had a wonderful time and I can't wait to see everyone again - congratulations to the testers and awesome job.

Sandokan in Canada

Saturday April 6, early morning, Matt Van Horn, Heide Clouse and I made a trip to Cornwall, Canada to teach at the NewWorld Martial Arts seminar. Once arriving in Canada, we checked into our hotel and then went to dinner with Soke Mike Bissonnette and his Black Belt team after which we had the pleasure of dancing at a private nightclub.  We haven't seen our Canadian friends since January but it was like we had picked up where we left off in Atlantic City having fun.

Starting at 9 am we arrived at the seminar location. After a brief introduction, the seminars began by division of ranks.  There was about 200 people and I continued teaching with the others until 3:30 pm.

Everyone was wonderful and worked hard.  We trained basics, some techniques and applications and rotated the groups of students to be with the other instructors.  It was a pleasure to be a part of a wonderful day of learning and working together sharing.  Special thanks to Soke Mike and our friends.

M.A.C.E.

I am proud to be a part of this upcoming event that is sure to be exciting.  So many great people are already involved and we want everyone to become involved.  Let's share our ideas, our similarities and our differences will be put aside.

M.A.C.E. stands for Martial Arts Communication Exposition and we are geared to the entire martial arts community and also those new to it and interested in learning more.   Our undertaking is to promote what martial arts is - to ourselves, our childrem our community, and our nation.  Our martial arts family is huge and we make a difference with one voice - we stand against bullying, we stand against childhood obesity, etc. 

Sandokan barbecue with blades

It was a great day despite being a little chilly and students had the chance to test their skills with swords during sword cutting. After some good practice which showed students sword cutting is based on technique and not strength students had at it and pieces of mat were flying.  After that we had some burgers and hot dogs from the grill.  It was a great beginning of Spring.

American Dojo Karate seminar

This Saturday's seminar was great as usual.  Despite snow coming down and some students being sick, the enthusiasm was high and everybody quickly began block-check-counter drills with empty hand and bladed translation.  It was evident the students practiced at home and those new beginner students were awesome as well.  Special kudos and props to the two dads that joined us in the closing session. Awesome job everyone - keep up the good work.  I would like to thank Master Bridget and Master Steph for their hospitality and for inviting us to their amazing home.  I got to touch the piano for the first time in many years and it felt really good to place my fingers on the keys and later Master Bridget surprised us with a little drum session.  Oh, and Sempei Matt Van Horn, I promise to be harder on you next time.  Thank you for your help (hope you didn't get a headache from Thundering Hammers, I want to stay in good graces with Becky).  On a personal note, I want to thank all my students, train hard and keep the flame burning.

USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame Banquet & Tournament

It was a terrific weekend and I spent Saturday and Sunday, March 2nd and 3rd, at the USA Martial Arts event in Newark, NJ.  There were various educational seminars from Masters and Grand Masters from different countries teaching, including Shihan Allen Woodman, and Eric Lee.  It was great to share Saturday evening with Dr. Buzz Mingin and with his new bride as well as his instructors Tom and Rick.  There were members of the Guardian Angels on hand, and it was a pleasure to meet Emanuel Yarborough as well.

Hall of Honors in Atlantic City

I just had an amazing weekend spending time with great martial arts friends, students and Hollywood's martial arts best as one of the best knife makers in the world, Steve R. from Keen Edge knives, and people from the WWF wrestling Federation.  The weekend was packed with seminars from great seminars from Masters and Grandmasters from 24 countries represented at the event.  The most amazing part was hanging out and spending time with my Canadian martial arts family.  The day was long yet too short, the award banquet started at 6:30 pm which lasted until 11pm and afterwards we topped it off with some amazing dancing Canadian style (nonstop).  

Testing in Southampton

Testing started at 12:30 pm after some review and lasted for 2 hours. Everyone went through forms, striking techniques, knife drills, and techniques followed by defensive striking maneuvers.  Rick, Tamir and Thomas were promoted to Level 2 by passing Level 1.  Great job everyone, keep up the great work!

Beginning Sandokan Curriculum at American Dojo Karate in Scranton

What an awesome seminar we had at American Dojo Karate in Scranton today!  The students were psyched and ready to learn - we went through 12 Basic Attacks and Disarms, footwork foundation, torquing, arm positioning and posting, and the various Sandokan weapons that are applicable.  It was an exhilarating class as everyone enthusiastically worked with their partners.  The American Dojo team is excellent and  incredibly skilled, and it is always a privilege to work with them.

Master Bridget and Master Stephanie motivate and encourage their students who never stopped, had a lot of laughs, and worked hard.  I congratulate all of their efforts and thank them each individually for their tremendous efforts.  In closing I am proud to be a family member of American Dojo Karate and look forward to the next time we are together in February.

1/19/2013

Happy New Year!

Despite of Heide working New Year's Eve, the evening was full of fun and laughter.  At 6 pm we took my mom Helen out for dinner.  Mom was hilarious, especially with a margarita because she suffered constant brain freezes.

Afterwards we came home and decided to make steak tartars with mom for New Years Day.  Next we were invited to Tom and Lisa Hybiske's house and wished everyone an early Happy New.

After dropping mom off at her home in Philadelphia, we decided to go to the Mummers Parade, especially since Heide had never been to one.  At the parade we met a lot of cool people,
including John and Trisha and their son Mason, and a girl from Frankfurt Germany, Nichole.  We enjoyed the costumes, revelry, and music and had a great time.