Updated: 08 - 26- 2007
Put
this event on your October 2008 Calendar
The United States Isshinryu
Circle of Masters ©
Seminar Symposium &
" SHIAI
"
October 2008
Congratulations to U.S.I.K.A. Member - Sensei Brad Hatcher
Go- Dan Isshinryu Karate
Appointed as Vice President
To The T.B.J.J.F.
Tennessee
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
Sensei Brad
Hatcher
Vice President T.B.J.J.F.
www.hatchersmartialarts.com
Brad Hatcher started
training in Ju-jitsu and Judo in 1989 under Robert Stines.
After meeting Rickson Gracie in 1993,
he Started training in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
He trained under Rickson for 10 yrs
and was among the first group of representatives
in the Rickson Gracie American
Jiu-Jitsu Assoc. He has ran an Academy in Maryville, TN
since 1985 teaching Karate and
Ju-Jitsu and adding Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in 1996 after getting
his Blue belt under Rickson. Mr.
Hatcher has also held a Grappling tournament for 10 years
in the Maryville area. He was the
first American promoted to Black Belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
in the State of Tennessee June 2002.
June 2007 promoted too 1st Degree Black belt.
Congratulations
Sensei Hatcher!
2002 1st place
Brown belt Music City open
2006 1st place Black belt Pan American
senior 1 XX heavy
Put
this event on your October 2008 Calendar
The United States Isshinryu
Circle of Masters ©
Seminar Symposium &
" SHIAI
"
October 2008
*********************************************************
GRAND CHAMPION
East Tennessee
Karate Championship
Samantha
“Sam” McCrary
Female Black Belt Grand Champion
Samantha “Sam” McCrary is a twenty year old University of
Tennessee
Junior majoring in Philosophy and Psychology.
She began her Martial Arts
Training in Tae Kwon Do in 1994 and achieved her Black Belt in 1998. She
was a very successful competitor from 1996 until 2003, winning the United
Karate Championship seven times in that time span.
She began training in
Isshin-Ryu Karate under Master Lance England at the University of
Tennessee in order to broaden her horizons as well study Isshinryu
Karate.
This month Miss McCrary competed in the East Tennessee Karate
Championship hosted by Sensei Brad Hatcher in Maryville, Tennessee.
She was the Female Grand Champion in Sparring and placed Third in the
Grand Championship in Kata. Master
England was quoted as saying that
he was very proud of her accomplishments. and that her control, sportsmanship
and technique were fantastic. Congratulations
“Sam”.
Congratulations to
Soke
- Chris Spruiell
Grandmaster 10th Dan of
Isshin
- Jujitsu
Grandmaster Chris Spruiell
Recognized by the "World Head of Family Sokeship
Council"
A World Wide
Council of 9th and 10th degree Grandmasters and Heads of Systems
Isshin - Jujitsu
May 25th 2007
Congratulations to Master Chris Spruiell. Master
Spruiell was reviewed and tested by
the World Head of Family Sokeship Grandmaster Council Testing
Committee on
May 26, 2007 in Orlando, Florida.
Master Spruiell was put through a rigorous oral
and physical test, requiring him to demonstrate numerous
techniques and martial
arts skills under various combative situations using his
system called Isshin-Jujitsu.
By a unanimous vote of the Council Master Spruiell was named
Founder of Isshin-Jujitsu,
and awarded the rank of 10th Degree black belt,
Grandmaster (Soke) of that system.
Furthermore, Grandmaster Spruiell was inducted as a member
and now serves on
this elite Grandmaster Council.
Isshin-Jujitsu is based on the combative fundamentals
of Isshinryu Kata, Muay Thai Boxing, and several styles of
Jujitsu.
Grandmaster Spruiell combined the combative techniques of these arts, based on
more
than 35 years of training experience, into this unique
combative flow training system
called Isshin-Jujitsu. Grandmaster Spruiell began his
training at the age of five with his
father under the late Grandmaster Harold Long who brought
Isshin-ryu Karate to Knoxville
in late 1950’s. He continues to train in Isshinryu Karate
under Grandmaster Phil E. Little
10th Dan and serves as Executive Vice President of
the USIKA (Unites State Isshinryu
Karate Association).
Grandmaster Spruiell holds the rank of 8th Dan Isshin-Ryu Karate, and
6th Dan Neko-ryu
Goshin Jujitsu and is a rank examiner for Shingatai Jujitsu.
He has trained under Professor
Ernie Cates, Grandmaster Danny Glover, and Master Peter
Ragner. In addition to owning
and operating his dojos, Grandmaster Spruiell is a Professor
at Pellissippi State Technical
Community College. He has used his training and instructional
experience to develop college
Karate and Jujitsu classes for both credit and non-credit
coursework, designing them to be
taught to students with backgrounds in many martial arts
styles. To aid in this teaching
process, he has authored a textbook entitled “The
Encyclopedia of Combative Flow –
A Dojo Training Manual and Mixed Martial Arts Handbook”.
He has taught and developed the system of Isshin-Jujitsu over the past 17 years
and
has successfully used this system to teach college students,
martial arts students with
various backgrounds, his personal dojo students, various law
enforcement agencies,
and has presented this system in seminars across the country.
Congratulations once
again to the Soke of “Isshin-Jujitsu”, Grandmaster
Chris Spruiell!
**************************************************************************************************************
Rickey
Cobb 5th- Dan Master Instructor - Awarded
Hall of Fame - Warrior
of the Year - Isshinryu
RIckey Cobb was Awarded an Induction
into the "World Head f Family
Sokeship Council International
Hall of Fame" as the Warrior
Of The Year for - Isshinryu.
The event was held in Orlando Florida
at the Double Convention Center Universal Studios
Sensei Ricky Cobb, 5th Dan, is known as a fierce
competitor with a gentle spirit.
His lightening speed in the ring
stands in contrast to his winning smile and his
patient teaching style.
He is quick to give credit to his instructor, his teammates,
and those he trains with weekly
at the dojo. Mr. Cobb has been diverse in his winnings
and has titles all around the country
such as:
Isshinryu Hall
of Fame Grand Champion****HELD IN TENNESSEE
Isshinryu World
Karate Assoc Grand Champion****HELD IN DALLAS TEXAS
King George
Karate Championships Grand Champion**** HELD IN VIRGINIA
United States
Circle of Masters Grand Champion ****HELD IN SOUTH CAROLINA
HE HAS ALSO BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF THESE DOJO AWARDS:
Black Belt
Christian Leadership Award
Black Belt
Character and Service Above Self Award - For his community service.
Black Belt
Master Instructor Award
Black Belt
Loyalty Award
HE IS AFFILIATED WITH THE FOLLOWING
HALLS OF FAME:
Member of the World
Head of Family Sokeship Council International Hall of Fame
Member of the
Universal Martial Arts Hall Of Fame
Member of the World Karate Union Hall
Of Fame
Rickey’s co-workers at
Griffin Radiator Mfg. in Piedmont, SC, when he was training
for the World Tournament in Dallas,
sponsored his trip. They knew he
would need
this sponsorship to help defray the cost of travel and expense of the
tournament.
They rallied around him in support of
his commitment to the martial arts and presented
Rickey with a check to pay for his
trip and most anything else he would need to meet
this financial obligation.
He was touched and has never forgotten the support of his
co-workers that thought enough of him
and surprised him with this gift that assisted
and lead him to this victory.
Another Grand Championship in a tournament of 500+
competitors. Mr. Cobb is one of the most humble champions that I have ever
known,
or had the privilege to teach, win or
not. You get the same reaction from him: a big smile
and always congratulating other
competitors first!! The one heart way, we say Rickey
demonstrates "the big heart
way". Leads by example, and has the heart and competitive
spirit of a lion with the
gentle humble way of a lamb. What makes this so obvious is that
all the young people, children, are
pure of heart and all kids flock to him. He
always
has time for them and anyone else who
wants to learn from him. Rickey trains non-stop
in and out of the dojo.
If he is not cycling he is taking a 5 to 6 mile run along with a
strong finish with wind sprints to
stay in top shape both for speed and endurance.
With all Rickey has going on he works in his schedule also finding time to
give a hand
up in our community. A place called
"Morningside Community Center" in a place in our
town most people would not park their
car, let alone, go and volunteer your time to help
teach young people that are less
fortunate. Rickey has served
for a period of years
there working with kids, teaching
them the way of the martial art (Isshinryu) as well the
way out of a place most all of them
call home, that most of us would call hell on earth!!
We have gone there and witnessed the
same kind of response of the people he works
with.
As soon as he gets there, these folks crowd around him like a Rock Star
but with
hope and anticipation of learning
something new, and while teaching them he knows
that not all of them may bring
themselves to a better place in life. But
if he can just help
one person, it is worth every minute
of his efforts.
Mr. Cobb is very much a family
oriented person. He has two nieces
and Rickey has
pretty much raised them because of
losing their dad. Rickey helps his
sister as
much as he can and is for the most
part financially strapped by choice, giving
everything he has to his nieces and
providing for his family. He is willing
to do
without if necessary, to give them an
opportunity and the tools they need to make
something of themselves. Please don't
get the idea he is doing anything less than
exactly what he wants to do with his
money, but it's his way. He would
rather go
without than see his nieces he loves
so much not have what they need. He is the
happiest guy in the world and it
comes from with-in.
Mr. Cobb is a
talented martial artist, but teaching others to become more than they
ever thought they could be is what
really brings him the most happiness.
He is a once in a lifetime
kind of person for a Sensei to have as a student, instructor
and friend.
By: Hanshi Phil Little
*******************************************************************************************************
2006 "Circle of Masters"
Black Belt Title Champions
Center Left: Rickey
Cobb and Center Right: Nancy
Anderson
Congratulates the 2006 winners
Left
to right: Chris Spruiell, Pete Keko, Karl Hovey, Phil Litle , ( Rickey Cobb -
Mens Winner)
(Nancy Anderson - Ladies Winner) Joe Laney, Danny Glover.
Isshinryu Black Belt Championship
Action Photos
Rickey
Cobb left -Sets up with a blurring front kick.
Rickey Cobb knocks his opponent out of the ring
Rickey
Cobb Charges with multiple punches
Nancy Anderson blitzes & Steel Hands her opponent
Nancy
Anderson battles away & stands her ground
Nancy Anderson-left steps in & scores with a strong back fist
*******************************************************************************************************
KNOXVILLE
NEWS SENTINEL
Master Instructor Lance England
USIKA Dojo @ The University Of Tennessee
Teaches Isshinryu Karate and Iaido
Award-winning martial artist enjoys
training others
By ANGELA PATTERSON, pattersona@knews.com
August 10,
2005
When Farragut Middle School sixth-graders walk into Lance England's
science class in a few days, they'll be walking into the room of a master.
A
karate master, that is.
This June, England won two world championship titles at the World
Christian Martial Arts championship
in Pigeon Forge. Although he's
been practicing karate since 1978,
this was his first time competing.
"I felt really confident going in," said England, who also teaches
martial
arts at the University of Tennessee.
"I had trained really hard. I'd appeared
in demonstrations before, and it was
like doing that. I also had good material
to present, so I was confident."
England won titles in two forms of martial arts: satori-ryu iaido, which
is
Japanese swordsmanship, and
Isshin-ryu karate, which is an Okinawan
style of karate. At competition,
participants perform routines called katas,
which can vary in length from 20
seconds to four minutes. Out of the 11
students he took to the competition,
nine came home with world titles.
"There were probably about 250 competitors from all over the
country,"
England said. "You have
different age and rank categories, but you'll be
competing against those with a
different style. You may even be judged
by someone who trains in a different
style, and that can be either positive
or negative."
But England hasn't confined himself to just one style. At the university,
England teaches Isshin-ryu and
nusishindo jodo, which is a Japanese
staff art. And he's received
recognition for his efforts in martial arts. In 2000,
England was named to the
International Martial Arts Hall of Fame by the
World Sokeship Council for his
contributions to Isshin-ryu karate. In 2001,
the Universal Martial Arts Federation
named him weapons instructor of the
year.
He
credits a majority of his success to working with outstanding instructors,
who were recommended to him by other
martial artists. England has been
training under Grandmaster Dale Kirby
since 1995, and Grandmaster
Phil Little since 1997. They're also
part of the reason he stays
in prime physical shape.
"I teach three nights a week and also teach some classes on weekends,
" England said. "I train
seven days a week. It helps to be in shape, but you
don't have to be. It depends at what
level of intensity you want to perform.
It can be very physically demanding.
I take in about 4,000-5,000 calories a day.
I eat six meals a day. If you don't
work out, that'll catch up with you quickly.
My instructors are in their
50s, and they're still physically active and train
hard. So it's hard for me not to be
in shape when they are."
But England acknowledges that martial arts has not only physical demands,
but mental demands, as well. And as
an instructor, he can fully explore that
with his students.
"I enjoy being an instructor of martial arts because it's not all about the
physical;
its about goal actualization,"
England said. "It's about becoming who you want
to become. We're all trying to
achieve the same thing; it's just that some are
farther down the road than others.
It's interesting to see students develop from
beginners to black belts, to see them
mature emotionally, to see them mature
as martial artists. To see the
changes in them and in their faces once they
realize what they've achieved (makes
it worthwhile)."
England also works with a team of instructors at National Fitness Center,
teaching martial arts throughout the
week. He's started a program in some
of the after-school programs in
Blount and Knox counties. But what really
keeps him teaching is the knowledge
that his students are benefiting from
his instruction years after the fact.
"Once I received a letter from a student years after she'd left the
university,"
England said. "She said her life
had taken a downward turn, and she was
ready to quit. She was packing up
some books, and she saw one I'd written
on karate. She flipped through it and
began to think about some of the issues
we'd discussed in class. She thought
about some of the skills that we learned
that help you deal with non-physical
situations. She said after she thought
about some of the lessons we learned,
she decided to turn things around
rather than give up. (Knowing that I
helped her) was better than any title
I could ever receive."
Angela Patterson may be reached at 865-342-6369.
An Isshinryu Martial Artist’s Golden Creed
"Respect"
By: Hanshi Phil Little 08-01-05
Within the Isshinryu family, we should pledge to treat
each other with dignity and respect.
Isshinryu Karate is a major team made up of thousands of components from
Associations
to individuals in a Dojo. Therefore, there must be a connection with
common ground rules
so that when one Karate-Ka approaches another, there is an immediate
unquestionable
cooperation and respect. Respect is what allows us to expect and
appreciate the best in
others instead of distrusting what is different. Respect is the essential
component for the
development of disciplined and effective Dojo’s. Lack of respect on any
level destroys
trust and erodes the Dojo’s cohesion. The Isshinryu community should not
tolerate
any level of disrespect. Respect also includes the broader issue of
civility, i.e. the way
people treat those they come in contact with. Tact and courtesy are
demonstrations of
respect and should therefore always characterize and define anyone who claims to
be
a member of the Isshinryu family.
Putting this in to words where as
there is no misinterpretation. In Short:
Follow the Golden Rule:
“Do unto to others as you would have them do unto you”.
May God bless you each and every one!
********************************************************************************************************************
Isshinryu Karate World Tournament
Held in Dallas Texas
We are proud to announce
PETE KEKO of the U.S.I.K.A. wins 1st Place Division Champion
Black Belt Weapons and
Kata at the IWKA World Championships
(L-R) Peter Keko: 1st in Kata and Weapons, Joey
Johnson:1st in Kumite and 2nd
in Kata, James Johnson: 3rd in Kata, and also in
attendance was John Davis.
Grand Champion Congratulated
Pete Keko right center, being congratulated
by the center Judge for winning the
"Grand Championship of both Kumite and Kata,
at The Knoxville Open "AAA rated" Karate tournament.
*********************************************************************************************************
Recommended Reading:
Publication Information
$23.00
including Shipping
In September 1997, Sensei Bill Hayes first
published a new and unique work regarding Okinawan
Karate-do. This book centers on his early relationship
with Grandmaster Eizo Shimabukuro, head of the
Shobayashi-ryu Karate-do system, during years of
training on Okinawa. The book includes ancedotal
information on a number of personalities as well as
martial culture overviews and an interesting look at
training methods. Based on interviews and personal
journal notes gathered over thirty years we believe “My
Journey With The Grandmaster” will help readers “fill in
the gaps” in their personal training,
teaching, and understanding of Okinawa as a society.
Major Bill Hayes, USMC (Ret.), is one Grandmaster
Shimabukuro’s most senior students and has been studying
karate since 1960. He was awarded his Red and White Belt
personally by Grandmaster Shimabukuro but no longer
claims any particular rank or special titles. He is the
former U. S. Director for Grandmaster Shimabukuro’s
international karate association, is a two-time Vietnam
veteran, and a former tournament champion. He is
currently the Director of the Okinawan Shorin-ryu
Karate-do Research Society, an organization which
publishes an informative quarterly newsletter and
conducts seminars on the advanced principles contained
in the older models of the Okinawan arts. He remains
active through daily training and teaching. Bill Hayes
is also one of a handful of individuals recently
designated by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to
create and develop the new Marine Corps Martial Arts
Program. Sensei Hayes is a martial arts wellness
consultant and is an Executive Distributor with the
Pharmanex nutritional product division. We believe
you will find the insights in his book and his
newsletters of value irrespective of style or training
level.
The first two printings of his book sold out. A limited
number of copies of the third, and final, printing are
still available. If you're interested in obtaining a
copy of his book or subscribing to his newsletter please
contact him at:
Bill Hayes
1105 Walker Drive
Fredericksburg, Virginia
22401-2625
Phone #: (540) 370-0052
(Home Office)
(540) 370-4251 (Home)
This Book "Gotcha" is about:
Kyoshi
Joe Laney 8th Dan Isshinryu Karate's
Black Belt bounty hunter which will be available in August 2004
for the cost of $22.95. Read about these tried and field tested
techniques of Isshinryu at work,.... THAT WORK!
Contact Master Joe Laney
direct and reserve your copy today.
Click here>
kyoshilaney@earthlink.net
|
Master Chris Spruiell,
promoted to designation title of
"Kyoshi"
By his Sensei Hanshi Phil
Little
Sensei Peter Keko,
promoted to designation title of "Renshi"
By his Sensei Hanshi Phil Little
center -
Sensei Paul Tucker promoted to Yon-Dan
Student of Kyoshi Chris Spruiell -
Right
Center- "BIG
Mike Miller" promoted to Ni Dan
Student of Kyoshi Chris Spruiell - Right
Congratulations to all of these
Gentlemen
Master Jeb Bagshaw: one of
Grandmaster Harold Longs 1st. Black Belts came to the
Seminar and was introduced to those who may not know him
and applauded with a standing ovation by those who do.
He is a legend in the Black Belt History of
the Harold Long Dojo
Standing behind him is "Rick Long" one of Harold Long's
Sons and a student at the Laney's Steel Hand Dojo.
**********************************************************************************************
Hanshi ties
and presents his personal 8th Dan belt to Master Laney
Seminar
Presenters
Sensei Pete Keko
Performance of Kata and body
mechanics
 
Sensei Keko, a Champion and World Class Competitor did a
tremendous job with this section of the seminar
along with his presentation of Tournament Kata. His
Seminar was a real crowd pleaser.
Third:
was Master
Chris Spruiell
Ju-Jitsu found in
Isshinryu
Fourth:
was Master Joe
Laney
Street Defense of
Isshinryu - field tested
The Red Suit was comforting but not much help on this
technique!
What a way to
end the day,.. With Master Laney,
"The real McCoy",.. tried and tested. If you
didn't believe it??? YOU COULD VOLUNTEER WEAR THE RED
SUIT!! Even though you were in the heart of
Big Orange Volunteer Country, (Knoxville Tennessee),
there were no takers.
Everyone was impressed and convinced without a shadow of
doubt.
THIS STUFF WORKS!
MORE U.S.I.K.A.
SEMINAR - WORK SHOPS TO COME
Stay Tuned!
PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK!
Click on the
links below to "Read all about it"
BASIC INSTINCTS: TRIATHLON
SEMINAR HONES SURVIVALIST SKILL
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