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MASTER CHRIS SPRUIELL Talk about your poster boy for martial arts, or someone for an Isshin-ryu rep. on a box of Wheaties, and Chris Spruiell is your man. This is the guy you want your son to be like, or your daughter to marry. It takes about five minutes or less to like him, and feel like you've known him all your life. The first time you meet him, and the first impression of him, is the one you will keep. He will be that way every time you are around him, and when you are not. You will notice in his resume below, that Chris likes to play rough. The majority of his activities are a point fighters nightmare. From what I'm told about Chris, his nice guy image falls off once he crosses the ring ropes. It's a good thing Chris has a love for contact, as he was raised with a boxing glove in his face. Chris's dad (I always just call him "MR" Spruiell) was one of Master Longs first black belts. He is a giant of a man with the same likable qualities of son Chris. From the time Chris was five, Mr. Spruiell was training him. By the time Chris was twelve, he was training against grown men who were professional fighters. Chris's training place was a large barn with plenty of equipment, and at least some soft hay to fall on. Chris learned his lessons well. Chris may be the guy you would most want in a fox hole with you. Strong, fast, rock hard, and lethal is the way I size Chris up. At one of our Dragon Jams (an annual invitation only event we hold for top masters and their students), Chris demonstrated some striking techniques. He used a 100+ pound bag we call "Big Bertha." We don't use it much because it is so solidly packed, that it produces sore shoulders and joints if you hit it too much. Chris hit with a jab then hook punch so fast and hard, that the bag dented. For those of us who were Big Bertha believers, we were impressed. Then came the bomb!!! Chris demonstrated a round house and Bertha bent in the middle. It was a megaton blast. Now we were wowed. The other's just couldn't appreciate the impact of that kick, like the Red Dragon Bertha believers. When the guys talked about it later and asked me what I thought; I just said that, God knew what he was doing, when he made Chris a nice guy with power like that. Most of us still try to load up like that round house, but it ain't there. Big Bertha remains safe until Chris comes back again. I am in the process of copying every technique he demonstrates in his book, (The Encyclopedia of Combative flow). I have high hopes, but I am afraid it will turn out like the Charles Atlas course I once sent off for. Charles sent me everything but the muscles to look like him. But if I can ever be almost as good as Chris Spruiell, I will have exceeded all my goals. So for now, I'll just settle for being his friend. That is a big enough plus for me to be sure. Below are a few of Chris's accomplishments:
KYOSHI (MASTER INSTRUCTOR) CHRIS SPRUIELL Master Chris Spruiell is the founder of a revolutionary training package called “Combative Flow Training” (CFT). This Combative Flow program is based on a unique blend of 35+ years of training in Isshin-Ryu Karate, Kickboxing, and Jujitsu. Professionally trained as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Master Spruiell works with cardiovascular patients and is an Adjunct Professor of Physical Education as well as a professional martial arts Instructor. Kyoshi Chris Spruiell serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the United States Isshin-Ryu Karate Association (USIKA), under the USIKA Founder and President Hanshi Phil Little, 10th Degree Black Belt Grandmaster. Master Spruiell is the current Vice President and Director of Memberships and Policies for the USIKA. He is a certified 8th Degree Black Belt Master of Isshin-Ryu Karate, under Instructor, Grandmaster Phil Little. In addition to his Isshin-Ryu training, Master Spruiell is a 30-year veteran of full-contact combat fighting, i.e., full-contact Muai Thai, American Kickboxing, and Isshin-Ryu Karate, and a certified 6th Degree Black Belt of Neko-Ryu Goshinjitsu under its founder Professor Earnie Cates, 10th Degree Black Belt, Grandmaster Moose Cates, 10th Degree Black Belt, and Grandmaster Danny Glover, 9th Degree Black Belt in Neko-Ryu Goshinjitsu, 9th Degree Black Belt. Master Spruiell is also a certified Black Belt Instructor/Rank Examiner of Shingitai Jujitsu under its founder Master John Saylor and Master Peter Ragnar. John Saylor is a former United States Olympic Judo Coach and Master Peter Ragnar is a former World-Class Kickboxer and has been training in Jujitsu and full contact Karate since 1954. Master Spruiell was inducted into the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame and was awarded “Combat Master Fighter of the Year” in 2001, and was awarded “Combat Martial Arts Instructor of the Year” by the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2002. Master Spruiell was also inducted into the World Head Family Sokeship Council International Hall of Fame and was awarded “Combat Fighter of the Year” in 2001 and was awarded “Combat Master Instructor of the Year” by the World Head Family Sokeship Council International Hall of Fame in 2002. Master Spruiell was awarded the “Living Example Award” in 2001, and many awards for leadership – The USIKA President’s Award For Outstanding Leadership, 2001, The President’s Distinguished Board of Directors Award For Outstanding Leadership and Loyal Service To The USIKA and Isshin-Ryu Karate, 2002, and the USIKA Eagle Service Award, 2003. In 2003, Master Spruiell was awarded “Isshin-Ryu Man of The Year” by the World Head Family Sokeship Council International Hall of Fame and was awarded “Isshin-Ryu Instructor of the Year” by the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame. In 2004, Master Spruiell was awarded “The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award” by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council and was awarded “Master/Author of the Year” for his book on Combative Flow Training in 2005 by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council. Master Spruiell is the Martial Arts Program Developer and Chief Instructor/Director for Fort Sanders Health and Fitness Center and both the credit and non-credit Karate Programs at Pellissippi State Comm. College. Master Spruiell is also the owner/operator of the Isshin-Ryu Karate, Kickboxing, and Jujitsu Academy at Fort Sanders Health and Fitness Center and Pellissippi State Comm. College. . Master Spruiell is currently a Clinical Exercise Physiologist for Fort Sanders Regional and Parkwest Medical Centers and Adjunct Professor of Physical Education for Pellissippi State Community College, Tennessee. Master Spruiell is also trained in both Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Health and Fitness Proffessional. Master Spruiell can be e-mailed through the United States Isshin-Ryu Karate website, www.usika.com, the website created by Grandmaster Phil Little, Master Spruiell’s Sensei and the Inheritor of the “Shimabuku-Long” lineage of Isshin-Ryu Karate-Do. Additional copies of Master Spruiell’s book may be ordered by calling Bushido Press at 865-577-2229 or from their website at www.Bushidopress.com.
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