WORLD GRANDMASTER S COUNCIL Jan. – Feb. 2017 Ph: (904) 361-9218/ Fax: (904) 744-4625 (24 hrs/day) P.O. Box 8395, Jacksonville, Florida USA 32239-8395 Http://www.whfsc.com / [email protected] As always, before we begin with our international news, we would like to pay our respects to those who have passed on & to acknowledge the personal tribulations & Blessings of our members…. Master Denise Gonzales Master Denise’s Dad GMFloyd Burk w/ the late Soke George Owens Prof. John Casarez Prof. John Chambers Dr. Richard Hackworth GM Jim Arvanitis Master Denise Gonzales of our Masters Division in California lost her Father the later part of last year. You never get over the loss of a parent, but it does get easier with the passing of time, knowing that your loved one is now watching and guiding you from above. Our condolences for your loss, Master Denise, may the love of family and friends get you through this difficult time of mourning……& somehow we missed this one, but it was called to my attention by GM Floyd Burk , Contributing Editor of BLACK BELT MAGAZINE. Our member, Soke George Owens passed on March 6th, 2016 in Arkansas. Our belated condolences & love to his family & students on the loss of this great man…….From Ohio, Professor John Casarez suffered another stroke which paralyzed the right side of his body. As anyone that knows John will tell you, he doesn’t stay down for long . He is now walking around with the aid of a walker according to his student, Master Mark Murdock….From the wife of long time member, Professor John Chambers, Joan Chambers tells me that the Professor has been down for some time with sickness and surgery, but she wanted us to know that he misses and thinks of us often. Our thoughts are with him, as well, Joan……. Also, Dr. Richard Hackworth was admitted to the emergency room in January after coughing up blood, but from all indications he seems to be doing well now…...and last, but not least, GM Jim Arvanitis tore his calf muscle in August of last year training for a triathlon and after a stint with rehabilitation is back to hard training again…….. & in our “good news” section. We’d like to CONGRATULATE Master Ed Parker Jr. of our Honorary Members division on his marriage to Shelley Baer on Dec. 24, 2016. May you have many years of happily Wedded bliss!! Mr. & Mrs. Ed Parker Jr. IN INTERNATIONAL NEWS…… Soke Gerardo Cantore of Argentina received some kind words and the presentation of a scroll for the strength of his SHINSHINKAN system from Hokama Tetsuhiro Sensei of Okinawa while Cantore’s student, Shihan Minoru Yasuhara from Japan was in attendance. You can view the presentation at https://www.facebook.com/shinshinkankaratedoworldcentral/videos/1128148300565327/ 2 Soke Gerardo Cantore (L to R) Hokama Tetsuhiro Sensei & Shihan Minoru Yasuhara From England, Hanshi Richard Hopkins, Founder of the WORLD UNITED MARTIAL ARTS FEDERATION (WUMA) announces his BRITISH OPEN SERIES CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS (see poster below). Hanshi Hopkins was also awarded his 9th dan from 12 of England’s top rated instructors at his UNITED KINGDOM HALL OF FAME held on February 4, 2017 GM Richard Hopkins British Open Series Champion of Champion poster From the Philippines, GM Ernesto Presas Jr. announces his joint camp and tournament with guest instructor, GM Roberto Presas that takes place Feb. 19th – 26th in the Philippines. GM Ernesto (Jan Jan) Presas Jr. GM Roberto Presas 3 15th IPMAF World Camp & Tournament poster GM Jim Arvanitis reports that he was recently awarded the Great Grandmaster rank of 11th dan by the WORLD PANKRATION DAN RANKING ASSOCIATION. The official ranking group of all leading Pankrationists globally….Jim’s reaction was that “ranks & elaborate titles have never been important to me, but it’s nice to be appreciated by those that have been inspired by my resurrection of the Greek Art of Pankration”. Though, it is unheard of in Karate, dan rankings can go beyond 10th in such Arts as Nin-Jutsu & Pankration…..& Grandmaster Ron Van Clief was mentioned in a cameo showing his picture in the November 29th episode of the Hit NBC TV series, “THIS IS US” when a little black child was introduced to a Karate dojo for the first time…..NICE! GM Jim Arvanitis GM Ron Van Clief 4 A letter received from General Alexander Retyunskikh, Head of the R.O.S.S. System from Russia on 2/13/2017 (translated from Russian to English by “google translate”) General Alexander Retyunskikh 25 years of movement "Russian Martial Arts" Dear friends! Dear colleagues, associates and Brothers in Russian martial art! Martial arts perfect their spiritual and national culture and its values of the peoples of the world. Exchange, development and improvement of different styles makes it possible to study the culture and geography of the world. Every martial art has its own designated road, path, and of course for the purpose of life. That's part of our biography of RBI - Russia. February 13 Federation of Russian Martial Art issued a certificate confirming the registration of our RF Ministry of Justice as the All-Russian Public Organization 5 "Federation of Russian Martial Art." Our federation is not a political and very serious warning - not nationalist organization. It took 25 years of development and improvement of this area. Our modest achievements in the difficult, and even a very difficult time for Russia and its people have become an indicator of the reliability, efficiency of planning and regeneration, development and improvement of the overall combat Russian culture. During 25 years of development and improvement made: - More than 10 master's theses; - One doctor; - A lot of private R & D; - Published - educational-methodical program to work with schoolchildren and pre- conscription training of the youth; - Published - handbook initial induction training melee RBI - Russia; - Released - five published research, methodical and methodological, historical magazine "Russian Martial Art - ROSS; - Removed and executed - more than 20 scientific research for the film, as a national treasure of Russia; - Prepared - in sports methodology and program - three honored master of sports of boxing and kick-boxing; - One honored master of sports in sambo and judo; - Honored coach of sambo and judo; - Six masters of sports of international class in boxing and kick-boxing; - Three Honored Master of Sports in kickboxing; - More - 60 artists in different styles of Russian and international level; - Many athletes and coaches awarded state and public awards: medals, signs of honor, honored coach of Russia signs ", etc. - Established for more than 80 federations RBI - ROSS, clubs and sections in Russia and abroad; - Annually, regional, national and international training seminars, trainers of trainers in RBI - Russia; - During the period from 1991 to 2016 prepared by the RBI - Russia more than 800 instructors professionals working in more than 80 Russian and world regions; - Today in Russia and in the world is engaged in more than 100 000 people RBI - Russia; - Created and successfully developed in Russia and in the world the author's modern system of preparation of Russia (the Russian Native System of Self-Defense), which is recognized by the leading experts of the world of martial arts as a new direction of Russian art in the world of self-defense and unarmed combat; - Established by the National Academy of Russian Martial Art - ROSS, and when it is registered "Children's Academy of personal safety of schoolchildren"; - And much more, which is described on our website: [email protected] Dear friends, brothers and comrades! On behalf of all Russia and Russia heartily congratulate all on the anniversary of 25 years of development and improvement of the strength and spirit to strengthen the power of our Russia. Yours faithfully, President VFRBI - ROSS, Retuinskih AI 6 GM Eddie DeLuca Master Andrew Fanelli GM Frank E. Sanchez Art Davie GM Eddie DeLuca reports that he was the Location Rep for the movie “HORSE SOLDIERS” which just completed shooting using the mines he owns in New Mexico for a cave scene in the movie……Master Andrew Fanelli of our Masters Division has his 2017 Pro TaeKwonDo Hall of Fame on November 18th with Yours Truly as one of the inductees His video presentation of the new inductees was made on Facebook & you can view it here at https://www.facebook.com/MasterFanelli/videos/10155747153040550/ ……& lastly, Honorary Member, Art Davie will be at the LEGACY COMBAT SPORTS 1 event in Kansas on February 25th with autographed copies of his book, “IS THIS LEGAL?” for sale. To get tickets for attendance of this event go to http://www.cagetix.com IN OUR NEW BOOKS DEPARTMENT…… “Is This Legal?” “The Odyssey of Jim Arvanitis” Art Davie’s book called “IS THIS LEGAL?” outlines his formation of the ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP. A televised competition which revolutionized the world of martial arts & brought the Art of mixed martial arts along with Brazilian Ju-Jitsu into the forefront is available on Amazon.com for $24.95…..GM Jim Arvanitis’ book entitled “THE ODYSSEY OF JIM ARVANITIS” which outlines the techniques, training methods, tactical applications, biomechanics & kinetics of combat motion along with Jim’s personal journey of self-discovery will be available in March of this year. No information yet on what the book will cost, but it does mention the WORLD HEAD OF FAMILY/ SOKESHIP COUNCIL (“thank you”, Jim) & we are sure that it will be a best seller for Jim’s many fans around the world! BUDO INTERNATIONAL NEWS……. The publisher of BUDO INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE, Alfredo Tucci informs me that BUDO is still expanding its international language base by including two new editions in two dialects of Chinese! So, for our Chinese members you can now read this International 7 magazine in your native language! Featured on the cover of the February edition of BUDO INTERNATIONAL’s Chinese edition is GM John & Trina Pellegrini…… FEATURED IN THE MAGAZINES THIS MONTH…… The Feb/ Mar issue of BLACK BELT Magazine features GM Ron Van Clief in Black Belt’s “BLACK BELT LEGENDS OF MARTIAL ARTS” article; with Master Don Wilson’s input in an article entitled, “A MARTIAL ARTIST’S GUIDE TO HIP HEALTH”.