On June 7th 2010, the red dragons received their certifications in dragon Sen-I Jutsu. All received comparable or above promotions to their Isshin-ryu rank, as they have simultaneously worked on Sen-I Jutsu for a number of years. The only exception was master Jason Anzur, who was awarded an instructor 5th grade(equal to 5th dan). With his progress and leadership, he will soon acquire his master 6th grade(6th dan) that he holds in Isshin-ryu. These guys have worked their tails off for a long time to achieve these levels. Not only did they more than demonstrate their Isshin-ryu traditions and skills, by winning countless trophies in kumite, kata and weapons, they taught other students while keeping up their work on Sen-I Jutsu. This required extra time, extra seminars, and lots of academic study. With zero turnover among them the last seven years, they sacrificed all other activities until the creation of Sen-I became a viable system. They ignored injuries, fair weather friends and the realities that sorry people like to use good people. There were the normal objections from their families and employers as to the time they were spending but for the most part, the families bought into our quest and were more than supportive. The crescendo of their unselfishness and dedication was demonstrated by their voluntary move to Greenville for us to open a new dojo. This requires them to drive an hour each way. Master Anzur does this four times a week. No one comes less than twice except Curt Pennington, who lives toward Georgia. He is like clock work at our MMA class on Monday nights. This included his chemo days while fighting cancer. These guys work together and back each other up if one can't make a teaching night, or testing Saturday, when all lower ranks are tested. During this difficult time of scheduling and logistics, they put together the best new group of people I have ever had. These new people are of a fitness and athletic background and had high expectations for the type of instruction they wanted. Throw in some kids and some who were not athletic or fit and the instructors have truly made it something for everyone. They have blended a totally diverse group into a mirror image of themselves. The jams also went a long way in solidifying our new people. The exposure to the people who teach and participate at these jams gave them more meaning for their training. They were also duly impressed by the work ethic and passion of the teaching and attending masters and were able to look beyond their own dojo and see the opportunities for the training and knowledge that they will have access to.

 

   We have opted not to attend tournament that do not reflect our training. I have many people now, that have never been to a tournament and they are brown, blue and green belts. They will never experience the arbitrary decision making of a point ring or kata ring.  We made this decision when we decided to concentrate on Sen-I fighting.  We still value our Isshin-ryu base, as it is still a part of what we do. We just reconfigured it according to our core beliefs of what makes up a "total" stand up and ground street defense. Our stand up striking is 50% Isshin-ryu due to our kicks and some kung fu-punches and kick boxing techniques depending on the gap between you and your opponent/attacker. Our clinching is almost all Isshin-ryu chin-na, with some extra take downs thrown in. Our ground work is a mix of Half Circle and Goshin Jujitsu. As we train to regain our stand up position, it is still just a means to an end.

 

   All this theory was brought to fruition by the people pictured above absorbing everything I could throw at them, along with being human sponges for our ICA teaching masters.

 

Congratulations to a truly exceptional group of people!