I am very proud to announce the list below of all the folks that were nominated and accepted induction into the US Martial Arts Hall of Fame this past weekend.
It was wonderful to see the seminars and to see all the hard working people that attended and participated in those awesome events. The Grand Masters were at top of their game and did an excellent job of conducting some very valuable seminars. All of them checked their egos at the door and came willing and wanting to share their expertise and knowledge to young and old, white to advance blackbelts.
Also, we were very fortunate to have been offered the opportunity to advance for our 8th Dan (Pal Dan) ranking by the International Martial Arts Grandmasters Council of America to which Grand Master Tom Balmos, Grand Master Clarence (Daddyo) Smith and myself were advanced to our next ranking. We got to experience a little of what we put our TKA blackbelts through at our yearly testing and it was very nerve racking but very rewarding especially since a group of our blackbelts and students got to see that. With a very impressive council headed by 10th Dan Dr. Dan Netherland who had some very gracious words for all of us. We were very humbled by the council.
All that were supposed to attend did so and represented in the most dignified manner. It was very impressive to see everybody in their black tie get ups and formal dresses. We had over 40 people in attendance from the TKA and the Golden Dragon Karate Studios. This event just took our great friendships that are already in existence and just made it go to a deeper level.
On behalf of the Grand Masters I am very proud of each and every one of you, blackbelts, students and family members that attended and got to be part of something so much larger than us. This is something that only being in attendance can one understand. I hear next year’s event will be in Nashville, Tenn. So maybe we can gear up for that one also.
Again, kudos to all, I hope all made it home safely, I know some are still underway. We hope to get pictures out in the next couple of weeks. Now we have to turn it up a notch and get ready for our 13th Annual Tang Soo Do World Conference coming up on 30 Nov – 1 Dec 07. So train, train, train.
Sincerely, Tang Soo!
Inductees
- Daniel Valdez – The Silver Life Award
- Tom Balmos – Most Distinguished Grand Master
- Clarence Smith – Most Distinguished Grand Master
- Johnny Thompson – Most Distinguished Grand Master
- Ector Troncoso – Martial Artist of the Year
- Dan Walthers – Most Distinguished Master
- Eric Jones – Instructor of the Year
- Joe Holguin – School of the Year
- Keith Lane – Outstanding Martial Artist
- Armando Troncoso – Outstanding Martial Artist
- Carol Rich – Excellence In Teaching of Martial Arts
- Heather Duty – Excellence in Teaching of Martial Arts
- Helen Espinoza – Devoted Martial Artist
- Derek Pranger – Youth Assistant Instructor of the Year
- Jeff Rickard – Youth Assistant Instructor of the Year
- Jesse Rodriquez – Master Instructor of the Year
- Eybeth Guerrero – Youth Assistant Instructor of the Year
- Rudy Munoz – Outstanding Martial Artist
- Alyssha Rodriquez – Youth Outstanding Martial Artist
A Note from the IMAC Director
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Just a brief note to sincerely thank you all for attending this years IMAC National Training Camp and The United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame. It was a huge success and we have been flooded with people asking about next year already! The success of this event belongs to you and all of those that brought such a positive and friendly energy to the events. I myself am already getting excited about next year as well!
We have posted some photos of the events already and I encourage you to visit the page.:
http://unitedstatesmartialartshalloffame.com/photos/28.html Click on this link or paste it into your address bar. Once again, thank you all. Look for a special edition of our eMagazine in the very near future. Have a great day!
Fred Mastison Sensei
Director – IMAC
www.IMACUSA.Com
Chief Instructor Aikido of Phoenix
www.AikidoOfPhoenix.com