Congratulations For Promotion to Shodan
To:
Hector Rivera
Jery Losada
Congratulations to Kyu Belt Promotions:
Issac Semidey -- Blue Belt
Gabriel Jimenez -- Blue Belt
George Mercado -- Blue Belt
Eric Duran Sr. -- Blue Belt
Eric Duran Jr. -- Blue Belt
Edward Suarez -- Orange Belt w/blue stripe
Kaysie Mercado -- Yellow belt
Alexander Rodriguez -- Yellow belt
Kevin Martinez -- Yellow belt w/orange stripe
Jeremy Casado -- Orange Belt
Brian Gonzalez -- White Belt w/yellow stripe
Joshua Gonzalez -- White Belt w/yellow stripe
Josue Gonzalez -- White Belt w/yellow stripe
Abel Fernandez -- Yellow Belt
Sanchin Bushi Karate System wishes all members have a prosperous 2011.
Sanchin Bushi History:
Instructors that have contributed to Ramirez Sensei’s martial arts experience are:
The first formal karate instructor was Shihan Eddie Cardona, (Shotokan) one of the oldest martial arts Instructor in Puerto Rico. He focused on strong foundation, basic karate movements and many repetitions. He was a dedicated student of Sihak Henry Cho Taekwondo (Chee-Do-Kwon), and Hanshi, Vincent A. Cruz, publisher of The “Principle of Karate-Do” International San Ten Karate Association (Shotokan). A Student of Vincent A. Cruz, publisher of The “Principle of Karate-Do” International San Ten Karate Association (Shotokan). www.santenkarate.com
SiGung George L. Jackson, is a superb martial arts instructor who specializes in the original "Grab Arts and Tricks" of the Kajukenbo System and Kodokan Judo. SiGung Jackson’s introduction, to martial arts, happened in 1962, While assigned as a Security Forces member of the 6th Combat Defense Squadron (SAC), Walker AFB, New Mexico (NM). He joined the Walker AFB Judo team and competed in numerous tournaments around the U.S. He won his first major tournament at 15th Air Force as a white belt. He was NM State Judo Champion, 140 lbs division for four consecutive years. In 1966, he was the Texas 154 lbs Judo Champion. His martial arts skills help his selection as a member of the Walker AFB Self-Defense Demonstration Team. Mr. Mel Bruno, Headquarter Strategic Air Command advisor, selected him as part of a special cadre of Security Forces members sent to bushido training with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. During this training, he earned his First Degree Black Belt in Judo at the famed Kodokan Institute, Tokyo, Japan. He was selected a second time for martial arts training in Japan to improve his skills. He trained under the mentorship of Mr. Donn Draeger, the world-renowned martial artist and author. SiGung Jackson trained at the Kodokan Judo Institute, all Japan Karate Association, Japan Police Academy, Waseda University, Torride High School’s, Kendo Program and at Master Yamaguchi's (The Cat) Dojo. He received training from some of the great masters in the various disciplines of Aikido, Karate, Jujitsu, Kendo, and Judo. His greatest experience, came when his selection, to randori (play) with Inokuma Sensei, "All Japan Champion" before a joint class session at the Kodokan. He subsequently received his Second Degree Black Belt in Judo.
In addition, SiGung Jackson trained under SiGung Richard Peralta, and Alii Don Nahoolewa. He learned the Emperado Method of Kajukenbo Self-Defense (Old Style). A few years later, SiGung Jackson started very successful Kajukenbo programs in Abilene, Texas and Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. He and his students won various karate championships in Texas, Puerto Rico, and New Mexico. He was Grand Champion of Puerto Rico's first major karate tournament where Grand Master Tak Kubota praised his performance as outstanding. He was also undefeated on the Island of Puerto Rico in karate and judo. SiGung Jackson has taught hundreds of students in judo and karate. These students included juveniles, seniors, female, male, police officers and women, federal agents, aircrew members, and Security Forces. Many of his students have gone on to become Black Belts and in one instance a Professor in Kajukenbo. Some have successful schools and students that are champions at various levels. Some students ended up teaching in Florida such as Sifu Luis Hernandez. SiGung Jackson's martial arts influence continues to this day in many countries. SiGung Jackson is a pilot with many flying hours under his belt. His hobbies as a radio broadcaster allowed him to emcee numerous Miss America contests. SiGung Jackson currently holds a 9th Degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo, 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kodokan Judo, 1st Degree, Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, and 1st Degree Brown Belt in Aikido. He still lectures and conducts clinics on Kajukenbo methods and judo techniques. As a Special Agent, SiGung Jackson's home assigned to Headquarters Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Washington, DC.
Sensei Nate Williams a (Tae-Kwon-do) instructor a student of Master Jhon Rhee. Sensei Williams taught the skill of fighting more than one opponent at the same time. He was masterful in his teachings at Ramey Air Force Base, Aguadilla Puerto Rico.
Sensei Ramirez’s special mentor in martial arts is Kyoshi Eddie Bethea, (a prodigy of Kata and fighting). Kyoshi Bethea’s teachings have given me the basis for evolving Sanchin Bushi. Kyoshi Bethea taught the “speed-on” technique, using the Bun-kai of the Kata explaining that Kata is not on a straight line but used in any direction, but one must start the journey to enjoy and learn martial arts! Kyoshi Bethea’s instructor is Grandmaster Shugoro Nakazato. The accounts of Shugoro Nakazato of Shorinryu Shorinkan karate as told by Master Nakazato’s writings are personal history considered valid for several reasons. For one, he was born and raised on the island of Okinawa and has been exposed to all of the facts and stories of the early development of karate. A short biography of Kyoshi Bethea: After a tour of duty in Viet Nam in 1969 and in Thailand in 1970, Eddie B Bethea, Jr. transferred to Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana. He arrived at Grissom in January 1971 and found it to be the coldest place that he had ever been in his entire life. Right away, he began volunteering to get away from the cold weather. He got his wish and by the end of the year, he had gotten orders to go back to Viet Nam. However, by the time he had gotten the assignment he had begun to establish friendships and relationships that would be life-long. He began teaching karate to kids at The Carver Community Center towards the end of his stay in 1971. In November of 1971, he left Grissom and the friends not knowing whether he would return.
Fate stepped in and gave a hand in getting Mr. Bethea back to Kokomo. He returned in November 1972 and life began to fill with today’s history. He met and married his wife Shirley in 1974. In 1976, Mr. Bethea founded the Kokomo School of Self Defense in Kokomo, Indiana. It remained at 604 N Washington Street until 1987when it moved to the downstairs of its current location in 1996 the school was relocated to the upstairs section of the building. He added “Bethea’s Karate Studio” to the name for easier identification purposes. In 1983 Mr. Bethea won the United States Karate Association’s World Grand Championship in Kumite, the 1993, 1994, and 2003 USK Alliance World Grand Championship in Kumite and the 1987 United States Karate Association Weapons Grand Championship. It might be important to note that Mr. Bethea won the fighting championships during the years that he turned 40, 50, 51, and 60 years of age. He has also won the Grand Championship in Kumite at the USK Alliance Nationals at Riverside, Ca and has placed each year at the Alliance Cup Nationals since 1990. Mr. Bethea believes that he can stake a claim that few others dare to do. That is, he has placed in every World Championship since 1981, except the 1988 World Championships held in Phoenix, Az. He is a six-time winner of the US Amateur Athletic Union sparring title in the senior division ('81-'87). Mr. Bethea, Inducted into the Trias International Society in 1983, to date he has been inducted into several prestigious Halls of fame and has served as president to the United States Alliance Hall of Fame. As a member of the Air Force in 1966, he arrived in Okinawa where he discovered the martial arts. With his first paycheck, he enrolled in the dojo of Grandmaster Shugoro Nakazato. During his karate, training Mr. Bethea found a clarity and purpose that soon grew into an obsession to train. His list of achievements in the martial arts world is very impressive and proves his dedication to the art. Mr. Bethea's comments: "My most important achievement in karate today is with my students. Being able to get a student who may have been a non-productive member in our society and turning him around means more than anything else that I could possibly do for karate.”
Mr. Bethea, values the Sensei - student relation. He feels his own life turned from a negative, insecure direction, to a positive purposeful experience. He acknowledges Sensei Grandmaster Nakazato, Sensei Hanshi Chosen Chibana, and Grandmaster Robert A. Trias, stating. "I am strong because you have helped me to open my eyes, to so many things around me; I am patient because you have helped me to defeat impatience; and I am positive because you have taught me that I can do anything that I want if I want it badly enough." Today, Eddie B. Bethea, Jr. and Noel Smith are Nakazato-Sensei’s senior students in the United States. Mr. Bethea is a staunch supporter of the Shorin Ryu Shorinkan organization in all of its endeavors to propagate the true essence of Karate-Do.
Annually, he travels to Okinawa to train with his Sensei and to maintain rapport with the Hombu Dojo. Along with the many activities fostered by the Shorinkan Association, Mr. Bethea finds the time to work with the Professional Karate Commission; the United States Karate-Do Kai; the United States Karate Alliance; and the International Shuri Ryu Association. Mr. Bethea a father of five, twenty grandchildren and three great grandchildren; Retired Master Sergeant – United States Air Force, and recently in 2000 retired from American Electric Power Company. Eddie Bethea Jr. is most assuredly a true karateka, a man with a deep faith in God, this tireless worker joined the United States Karate Association in 1975 and he still invests the same energy into his membership with the United States Karate Alliance. He is currently the USK Alliance Hall Of Fame President. Mr. Bethea was inducted into the Howard County Sports Hall Of Fame in October 2004.
Mr. Bethea, says, “I believe that God gave me Karate first, to help me to find myself and then, to help others to find themselves.” www.betheaskssd.com & www.shorinryushorinkan.com
Sandan Renshi Tony Baso Chinese Goju, specialty on combination with speed, completing each technique with the opposite technique, meaning if one throw two kicks then end it with a punch, or if with a punch, end with a kick, Sensei Baso’s instructor was Kyoshi Ron Van Clief.
Hanshi Vincent A. Cruz is the founder and chief instructor of the International San Ten Karate Association (ISKA) and the International San Ten Martial Arts Federation (ISTMAF) with the rank of 9th degree black belt. ("San Ten" refers to Cruz's "three heavens" philosophy.)
Hanshi Cruz graduated from high school in 1954, and immediately joined the United States Air Force. The Air Force stationed him in Japan where he began karate training in March 1956, under Kaigate O., (a student of Kyan Chotoku) in Ashiya, Kyushu, Japan. In 1956, the Air Force transferred Cruz to Tokyo, Japan, where Isao Obata introduced him to Shotokan karate training. In June 1959, Cruz was selected as a Combative Measure Instructor for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) Combative Measure Program held at the Kodokan Judo Institute, in Tokyo. During this time, Cruz Sensei was instructed in a comprehensive program by Masters Kyuzo Mifune and H. Kotani in judo; Masters Isao Obata and Hidetaka Nishiyama in karate- do; Master T. Tomiki in Aikido; and Master M. Hosakawa in Taijo-jutsu. During this period, Cruz attained a Shodan in Judo and certification in Taijo-jutsu and Aikido. Later he received his Shodan in Shotokan Karate. Upon returning to the USA, Cruz Sensei continued his karate training under the direction of the Armed Forces Karate Federation under Master Hidetaka Nishiyama. Today Cruz Sensei is a 6th degree black belt in the American Amateur Karate Federation (AAKF) and the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) headed by Master Hidetaka Nishiyama, and a 6th degree in the Nippon Karate Do Kyo Kai. Cruz Sensei is the author and publisher of several martial arts books (see the adjacent links on this page). On May 10, 2002, Rep. George Radanovich ordered a US Flag flown over the capitol building in Washington, DC, in honor of the distinguished military career and lifelong contributions of Vincent Cruz Sensei. Hanshi Cruz received his 9th dan from the Black Belt Council of the International San Ten Karate Association on August 29, 2004, to the cheering applause of his faithful students. www.santenkarate.com
Shihan Tony Rosa, (Shotokan), whose strengths is in teaching both the basic and advanced application of Bun-kai is extremely knowledgeable in Kata’s from many systems of martial arts. His expertise is in traditional karate. Shihan Rosa is a student of Hanshi Vincent A. Cruz Founder Santen Karate. Shihan Rosa also studies with Hanshi Toshiaki Namiki Shotokan Japan Shotokan Karate-Do Federation.