Hi everybody,
What a long weekend, many miles on many vehicles, but so worth it. History was made this weekend by us all watching Grandmaster "Danny" Valdez finally earning and receiving his 8th Degree (Pal-Dan) ranking this weekend. He presented himself before the International Martial Arts Head founders Grandmaster Council of seventeen, 8th, 9th and 10th Degree Black belts, quite impressive to have been in their company. GM Danny had to perform at that point some realistic self-defense techniques on Uke's Chodan Douglas Mase who did not cut him any slack, Danny worked it hard and got the job done. At the culmination of his test the board unanimously agreeing and looking around the room and seeing there was not a dry eye in it and of
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course a standing ovation, Danny was promoted after
35 plus years to the rank he had been seeking so long. He was so proud to have
all of us that were there to witness it and thankful to all the people who made
it possible for him to even attend and get a shot at something like that, he
could not have done it without you all's monetary support and of course hats off
to Chodan Mase, Brian DeLaughter and Charles Sutton who got him there and did
what was needed to keep him, fed, clothed and all that other logistical stuff.
A lot of you attended the National Training Camp which seemed like you all
enjoyed getting hands on training with all the great practitioners, especially
Sr.
Grandmaster Richard "The Iron Dragon" Bustillo one of Bruce Lee's first
generation students. We tried making the rounds to see everybody especially
during the social hour prior to the banquet but with so many people and so
little time couldn't quite find everybody but we saw all the key players going
up to the stage. Photo opportunities were hard to get this year due to so many
tables around the stage but I will tell you this GM Valdez was like royalty, he
has never had so many pictures taken of him his whole life. We appreciate
Grandmaster Jesse Rodriguez and the Golden Dragon Karate Studio's support
(Please remember GM Rodriguez's upcoming tournament - 27 Aug.)
Below is a list of people that were recognized for their hard work and were
presented awards:
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From: Richard Bustillo
To: jthomp2222 Sent: Tue, Jul 26, 2011 4:22 pm Subject: Aloha GM Thompson, Likewise, I too were honored to have met you and your students at the USMA Luncheon and at my seminar session. Of course your student Danny Valdez stole the day at the promotion presentations and at the night's Hall of Fame ceremony. Danny may have physical limitations, but his Mental and Spiritual strength is above and beyond the average expectations. He practiced Bruce Lee's way of having "No limitations as Limitations", and "Using Way as Way". It is also you who I congratulate for having the patience and dedication to mentoring Danny to a higher level, for without you there probably be no awards for Danny Valdez. Congratulations for a job very-well done. I look forward to seeing again. Perhaps at another seminar or hosting my seminar at your school. Keep Safe - Keep Teaching - Keep Smiling Aloha, RSBustillo www.IMBacademy.com |
To the folks that logistically couldn't attend for one reason or another, your awards will be mailed to you. It's nice that they recognize juniors as they really want them all to step up and take over one day for all the veterans thus by recognizing them and hope they continue onward to create new opportunities for even more people. List is in no particular order:
Grandmaster Daniel Valdez - Promotion to 8th Dan
Grandmaster Clarence "Daddyo" Smith
Ea Dan Nolan Sosa
Chodan Alex Holguin
Ea Dan Donald Peterson
Ea Dan Stephanie DeLoach
Sam Dan Michael Simpson
Sam Dan Charles Green
Chodan Shannon Ramsey
Sam Dan Joey DuPuis
Chodan Douglas Mase
Ea Dan Oscar Dominguez Jr.
Sam Dan Albert Garcia
Sam Dan Elizabeth Garcia
Master Dan Walthers
Master Juan Vasquez Sr.
Congratulations again to everybody that was there, great demos, great friends,
to all the parents/friends that supported, our hats are off to you, keep up the
good work and support, if anybody has any pictures and can get a CD to me that
would be great. A lot of pictures have already been posted on Facebook and I
encourage more to be posted. We hope that this event, while very expensive and
taxing was some motivation to keep pressing forth and work on your art and pick
up something valuable for your training. Our late Grandmaster James Cummings and
George Howard along with Chodan Cheyenne Fiveash would be very proud of
everybody as your Grandmaster Council is also.
Next event will be Aug 27 here in San Antonio, please take every opportunity to
support Grandmaster Jesse Rodriguez at this upcoming tournament and as always
our Tang Soo Do World Conference/Testing will be the first weekend in December
in San Antonio. All are invited and hope you put it on your calendars, going to
be another great banquet and test.
Tang Soo!
Johnny K. Thompson, Grandmaster, 8th Degree
President, Tang Soo Do Karate Association