From the desk of GM Johnny Thompson:
I would like to personally congratulate everyone that was nominated, participated and helped at this recent 25th Annual United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame and the IMAC National Training Camp (NTC) 2024 held in Las Vegas, NV.
Very proud of TKA and all it’s amazing affiliates and friends. Together we make a pretty awesome group of professionals, entertainers and friends, I say that with all respect.
Big shout out to O’Sensei Robert Cutrell who chaired the GrandMaster Pre-examination and the GrandMaster Council. So proud of him, his team and his experience he brought to the event. Special thanks go out to GM Tom Balmos, GM Clarence Smith, GM Gabe Green, GM Fernando Limon and GM Dan Roberts. Special acknowledgement goes out to the Royce family that are dealing with a difficult situation but honored to see newly promoted GrandMaster Marvin Royce receive his well-deserved rank of GrandMaster. Thanks to his honorable son for all his assistance, great job GM Hornsby and GM Roberts.
I know I will leave someone out, always do but never with intention. To the Seminar instructors that are within our groups, Master Michele Young, GM Sandy Larwood, Soke-Dai Master Heather Coffman, Master Jose Ramirez II, GM Mike Hornsby, Sr. Master C.D. Young for MCing and running the tournament and last but not least GM Matt Emery. Thanks to GM Emery for also recommending Sifu Freddie Jim for running the Bruce Lee Legacy class and for an excellent seminar by Sifu Damon Evans for his Krabi Krabong.
To the outstanding members that dedicated their evening to assist in three professional gentlemen testing and/or codifying their system (Soke Paul Parent, GM Bill Logan and newly minted GM Joshua Walkingstick. They definitely put their heart and soul into the process. The members from our affiliates were in no particular order: GM Michael Hornsby, GM Robert Cutrell, GM Sandy Larwood, GM Matt Emery, GM Gabriel Green, GM Gregory Robinson and GM Clarence Smith. It’s a great honor to sit on this board and represent the best of the best with them.
To Sifu Sam Dan Oscar Olivarez and his team for driving I believe a million miles from the RGV to make sure the folks that still had a bit of gas left in them dance away the evening on Saturday and to end it all with a bang along with seeing them dance up a storm as well. I tell you everyone, watch out Master C.D. Young is busting out new moves every yearbut GM Gabriel Green has the moves from the past 45 years and isn’t afraid to bust them out.
To all the students of some of the aforementioned instructors, you can be so proud of them and all their hard work along with their guardians. It definitely takes a family unit to make all of this possible with lifelong memories. Hard work and perseverance always pay off.
Always proud of the esteemed blackbelts that did the demonstrations that went out there at the GrandMaster’s Council on Friday evening and wowed the crowds, I am sure you could hear the GM Council yipping it up as well also but silently. I was so impressed, lots of preparation, timing, sacrifice went into all your routines. Please ensure you pass on all our congratulations to those that helped in the process.
Big shout out to my one and only (older sister) Miss Silvia Volkmann (The Gatekeeper) who pulled off the impossible once again to make everyone as happy as one can be. We obviously know you can’t please everyone all the time, but I know she has been working it 100 percent for the past four months to ensure a great outcome for all. Special thanks go out to our dear friends Miss Tiana and her awesome brother Mike Rudolph for assisting in any way they could.
In conclusion I would be remiss if I left out Master Stephanie DeLoach and her awesome mom Miss Denise for driving over to the Pink Donut shop on Fremont St. and getting us those evil, horrible donuts that tasted really good at midnight, someone had to eat them and some of us were the chosen ones.
Again, so proud of everyone, I hate to write this but dare I say the biggest and best event in my opinion up to date. I have been a member since 2003 and don’t remember a sweeter time. We fought hard for Vegas to bring out our West Coast friends a little bit closer to the action, and we wanted it and you all brought it and I know Dr. Terry was hesitant but with the help of you all we made it a reality and now he wants to stick Vegas into the rotation. I myself need a redo as I did not get to spend one red cent and that seems to be a travesty to go to an adult playground and not even get a chance to play.
Peace and love to everyone and from the John Wick movies “I have served. I will be of service”.
Respectfully,
Johnny K. Thompson, GrandMaster, 9th Degree
President, The Karate Association/Tang Soo Do Karate Association