ARTICLES AND COMMENTARY

 

 

 

YOUNG LEADERS AND KIDS RULE THE DAY
TONY WILLIAMS PROMOTED TO MASTER
(SEE ARTICLES AND PICS BELOW)
 

    Saturday November 3^rd, was a day the youth of Isshin-ryu took over. It was a tournament for kids only with the younger masters and black belts organizing and directing. The quarterly IIKA meeting was held during the tournament to eliminate the necessity for both at separate times and to give the, up and comers, a chance to be in charge. The plan worked well .It was a very productive meeting and the tournament was run without a hitch. Sensei Tony Williams was placed in charge of the tournament and he more than fulfilled everyone’s expectations. An additional reward for his many years of service to Isshin-ryu, were recognized later by a promotion to roku-dan (sixth degree). A fitting reward for Master Williams many contributions. (See article below).
 

    There were also three separate seminars given before the tournament. Master Patrick Lee Taught kata; Master Jerry Smith taught street defense; and I taught kumite. It was fun and the kids and adults seemed to enjoy it. It added to the closeness of the atmosphere that lasted all day. It was on of those days when everything worked. Again, full credit should be given to the “young guns” for the tournament success. It was a larger turnout than last year, so a lot of work was done. All the board members commented, that the future of Isshin-ryu was in the hands of the young Dans and looked pretty good from where we stood.

 

    Our group was only three, but did very well. They brought home 8 trophies and valuable experience. Our dojo has moved away from teaching kids, as it is not our direction for the present. We are trying to integrate a street fighting system along with our Isshin-ryu,, and it is not kid friendly. Our kids are, black belts (Zack and Alicia MacDougal) who are phenomenal students and my grand daughter McKenzie. Pretty much every one knows the “Mac’s,” as they are fixtures at every event from tournaments to every seminar. They never ask if the seminars are for kids, they just plan to go. They have more trophies than Southern trophy shop and a wealth of adult and advanced knowledge. They are future adult stars and leaders. In every respect they fall into the exceptional category. There is no one in our dojo that works harder and is more dedicated to the idea of being the best, than these two.  And God bless Joe and Nancy MacDougal; two busy professionals, who, this year have taken the Mac’s to seven tournaments, five seminars and all the classes. Two unsung hero’s in Isshin-ryu. In fact, God bless all the parents like these, who spend a great deal of their off time and a small fortune in the support of their kids and the rest of us. McKenzie, has had to gut it out with all adults. She has to kumite with the Macs, so her life has not been easy. “Easy” makes poor students and all the tough times have helped. She won first in both kumite and kata Saturday. As I kiddingly told Master Ron Cain, a Shaffer winning first in kata was a family scandal. I think I was kidding. Thanks to sensei Jason Anzur and Woody Woods for attending the tournament, and helping in the rings. Also, thanks to both for their work with our kids. Woody who won the grand kata championship at the Lebanon tournament, helped McKenzie refine her Chinto Kata. Her improvement was incredible with his help. Jason helped with the kumite and just being a positive influence as usual. Two more future Masters for Isshin-ryu.

 

 

    In the space allowed there is no way to adequately encapsulate Tony’s career and accomplishments. At his young age, he is already a recognized ring legend. Now that he has been promoted, we will lose the best ring presence I have seen in Isshin-ryu. I use the term “presence” in order to acknowledge his attitude and impact, as a competitor and sensei in the ring. No one has won or lost with such equal grace as Tony. There have been others who were as physically good and a couple maybe a little better. But No one has had Tony’s “style.” This is what has always made him unique. He has had the good fortune to train under the best group of instructors in one place, that there are. They are Masters: Phil McElroy, Jim McDonald, Butch Hill, Dave Gabbard, and Sandra Strong. Each a star fighter and Isshin-ryu Hall of fame member. There have been others, but the aforementioned are the most responsible. I have had the unique opportunity to train and be trained by Tony. After my hiatus from Isshin-ryu, Tony along with David Gabbard, helped me and my students get on track. He has continued to be a big brother to my guys and an example of who they want to become. He is a super trainer of people, as he has a school full of good students and competitors. Tony has done it all and he is just getting started. At his promotional presentation given by Master McElroy, he was given a red and white belt worn by all in his linage. When he put it on, we all breathed a sigh of satisfaction. Many of us had lived to see another generation of Master in our midst, that will probably be the best of all. Considering the group of mentors mentioned earlier, that will be a tall order. But, Tony is a tall order person. So congratulations Tony. Your work has just begun.