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Sabaki List Member Profiles 

This page will feature profiles on members of the Sabaki Talk Discussion List.
Members are listed in alphabetical order. New members to be added in due course.
Bruce Baird - USA
My name is Bruce Baird from Chardon,Oh.I am a shodan in the Okinawan style of Shorei-ryu.I have been studying the martial arts for 5 yr. and love every minute of it.

Richard Bam - USA
Just joined the group and decided to introduce myself. My name is Richard, and I've been doing martial arts for only six months now, but I'm seriously involved. I study traditional long-fist Shaolin Kung Fu at Fullerton College in Southern California and just got my yellow belt. I hope I'm not out of place with all
the Karate students in this forum. Anyways, I'm looking forward to talking with everyone.

Mukesh Banka - India
I am Mukesh Banka from New Delhi, India. I am learning and teaching Seido Karate. My introduction to this fascinating art came in 1989 when I joined Shotokan Karate. Thereafter I learned Goju Ryu Karate (IOGKF) under Sensei Pervez Mistry.

I became a Shodan in 1995 then my job as a computer professional took me to New Delhi where I joined Seido Karate and presently I am a Shodan in Seido also. I take classes for poor children in the mornings and I do regular classes in the evenings which are taken by my teacher and friend Senpai Subodh Dhiman who is three times National Champion in both kata and kumite.
I am also gold medal winner in Nationals (Kata). That's all about myself. Looking forward to meet some exciting karateka's via this platform.


Lance Barnes - USA
When I was about 18 I went to my first Martial Arts School in Los Alamitos California. At the time I was a groom on the Quarter Horse Racing Circuit and was going to be in the area for about three months before I went up to San Francisco for the next meet. I don't remember a lot about the school except thatthey appeared to be very traditional. I was at that school for one day.
About a year later and one marriage behind me I found myself in California living with my parents and starting over again. There was a school called West Wind Karate in Riverside and I decided that I needed some stability in my life. That turned out to be it. I was there for a year and half and started to get my act together. They were very traditional in their behavior and they focused on self-made forms and self- defense techniques.

Another marriage behind me, with a daughter this time, I found myself working for a delivery company as a specialty driver for documents and uncut gems. It was a rather exciting time in my life until I almost lost my drivers license. At that point I started college and met my loving wife of 17 years, three children and a God provided stability in life. At that time I found Red Dragon Karate and Shihan Sensei Mike Jablonski. He worked me for 6 years and promoted me through the lower belts up to and including my Black Belt. He has an extremely well rounded understanding of the Martial Arts including several yearsof full contact competition from which his reputation stems.

After my time with Red Dragon was complete, and my wife and I had moved on, my wife found me a part time job working for Young Olympians. This turned into a full time job of 5 years and allot of good experience. It was at that time what I considered to be the "New Martial Arts" way of teaching. It workedwithin the confines of the "Educational" point of view and was a fresh approach to teaching for me. I almost lost my job with them as I was stuck on the idea that Karate had to be taught one way. I learnedbetter and kept my job. It was their Vice-President who had the degree in education that enlightened me on the new approach.

This leads to where I am at now which is in Kingman, Arizona. I have 3 Child Development Certificates and am currently working on my Bachelors in Education. I work in the High School with the Special Education Department and run my own Martial Arts School. I developed a curriculum based system of Martial Arts that is in constant change as that is a constant in life. The children enjoy their classes and I am about to learn how the adults are going to do as I am starting two locations for adult classes this summer.

It seems like the Martial Arts has always been in my life. From the Kung Fu series on TV.. to the Bruce Lee movies that I loved. They acted as the stepping stones that got me started. The Lord has provided me with many tools that have helped me through out my life. Many things which I won't bore you withhere. Martial Arts is not the least of these tools. I give thanks to him and all whom he has sent my way.


Diana Barrowclough - USA
I started my training in Aikido for a few years when I was a teenager,but then took some time off. I started once again years later with my daughter when she began to train. We are now both black belts. I have been training in Kempo under Terry Bryan for the last 11 years and currently hold the rank of 3rd Dan. I serve on the board of directors of the American Black Belt Academy, and presently hold the office of President. One of the board's duties is to keep our chief instructor out of trouble, but it looks like we have been remiss in our duties.:)

I am a school teacher by day (middle school science) and have a small karate club I run at night. I had the pleasure of meeting Hoosain when he came to Colorado Springs and look forward to learning from all the informative posts.


Bob Barton - USA
I've been involved with the martial arts for a little over four years.  Specifically, I study Isshin-ryu karate.  I'm married, have four kids, and live in Madbury, NH.

 

Zenón Cortéz Becker -Panama
I start Martial  Arts  studies in 1976, + I receive my sandan on the 17th of March, 1985, from Shihan Jorge Bustos Padilla, ambassador of  Kyokushin system in Panamá.
+ Ashihara Karate International of Panamá is my dojo name. I live and train in Colon, Republic of Panama, this year we opening  a new dojo in Panama City, this is one of many goals that we A.K.I. Panama have in this year.
+ Awarded with a certificate in Sports Medicine by the Society of General Medicine and Sports Institute of Panamá (INDE), in 1993.
+  In 1994 he was chosen as the General Director of the professional United Martial Arts Society (PUMAS), in Panamá.
+ Became a member of the National Commission of Karate (CoNaKa), in 1995.
+ I receive my YonDan,the 16 March, 1995, from Shihan Kang Rhee, ambassador of  PaSaRyu Martial Arts and designating my his ambassador in Panama.
+ On the 16th of March 1995 he joined the World Black Belt Bureau in order to further  his Knowledge in Martial Arts - Pa Sa Ryu System.
+ Weight Lifting and Progressive Resistance instructor on June 8, 1996.
+ Designated president and representative of The Panamá WBBB, organization of  Full-Contact Karate Groups in Panamá.
+ On December 28,  1997, nominee Chairman of  Central America Area.
+ On June 17, nominee also Chairman of South America Area. Means that we are the Ashihara Karate International contact  for  Latin America.


Leon Beech - South Africa

Vincent Benstrong -Seychelles
My name is Vincent and am from Seychelles, which comprise a group of 115 small islands, call the Seychelles Archipelego. I hope you could be able to visit it one day, as it is call the Paradise, with the forest still green in its virgin state.

Now, a little bit of myself, I've been doing karate for 6 years now, as a member of the Ashihara karate International, but before that I've learn a little bit of Shotokan and Goju-ryu before from my brothers.
I now hold a Shodan and hope to broaden my knowlege a bit deeper in order to teach others in the future. From 3 kyu on I sometimes have had to take the class in the absence of my intructor.


Bill Birdsall - USA
My name is Bill Birdsall my wife is Eva.We are both long time practitioners of Isshinryu Karate. I began training at the Academy of Martial Arts in Aurora Ill in about 1959 or 1960.

RJ Bonanno - USA
Osu!  My name is Sempai R.J. Bonanno, I am a Shodan in Kyokushin under Shihan Larry F. Giordano in Mass.  I have been studying kyokushin for over thirteeen years and much has changed.  When I first started the use of protective kumite equipment was unheard of, now it is a must.  We still fight hard but not like the old days.  A few of us, myself included, still train knockdown.  The true kyokushin!!  As far as the system goes not mush has changed.  We are still a hard style and our fighting is based on a sabaki principle.  One of our symbols is the well known kanku, we fight in a circle just as the kanku shows us.  Kata is done different throughout the world but has the same base.  Our style is old yet extremely powerful and beautiful.  I believe we are growing, we just need to show everyone the same power and beauty that we know and love.

Melanie Box - England
My name is Melanie Box, I am presently 7th Kyu Shotokan with the S.K.O.  I have been training since 2000 but was injured for nine months (work related).  Going for 6th Kyu shortly.  I am very much interested in the bunkai/oyo of the katas and pressurepoints too.  I have had only one 'acheivement' so far; that being 3rd place in my first Organisation Kata Competition.

I was introduced to karate by the man who has since become my Sensei, Ian Johnson 3rd Dan and he and Peter Foster 2nd Dan run our extremely small dojo.

I realise I don't have a great deal of experience in my martial art, but look forward to learning more from you all - I hope to contribute something occassionally that isn't too benign as well. :)

Charles Boyd - Canada
My name is Charles Boyd and I am Canadian
I started in Isshin-Ryu in Mission BC under Sensei Don Shapland and was awarded Sho-dan rank in 1983. (just under two years, too fast in hindsight, but when Sensei says you get on a bus and go to Dryden, Ont. to test for Sho-dan you better do as he says).
I moved to Calgary in 1986 and trained with Sensei Gary Martin at his dojo. It was then that I met Advincula Sensei and was awarded Ni-dan, San-dan, and Yon-dan by him (between 1986-1994).
I've taught various self-defense courses and karate programs in Calgary, mostly at oil company fitness centres and Mount Royal College where I work. I also established a "Martial Artists' Club" at the College and ran that for several years. It was mostly brown and black belts from all different styles who got together to train, share and spar. A great experience, especially with some of the judoka and jujitska.
In 1996 I had back surgery and have spent the last 4 years retraining by myself and with some close friends here and in BC. and attending seminars. In the fall of this year I established The Mount Royal College Isshin-Ryu Karate Club, and that's where I stand right now.


Terry Bryan - USA
Trained in eclectic karate till 1970 then took up Taekwondo in Texas. Trained in Thailand for 3 years
and then switched to Chinese Kempo. In 1980 I started training in shorin ryu, first under Shihan Toma
of Motobu ryu and then later under Dan Smith and Zenpo Shimabukuro of Seibukan. I received my
Kyoshi title from Fred Absher of the Kojosho style and practice his Shi Ba Shou 18 postures style with
my karate.

Antonio Bustillo - USA
Bustillo began karate training in 1971. Three years later he was awarded his Black Belt in Shotokan. In 1979 he became a member of the U.S.A. AAU Fighting Team. During the 80's, Bustillo worked as a Miami Police Officer, and was a Field training Officer for new recruits. From 1992 - 2001, he served as an Enshin Branch Chief in Florida,  and is also certified as a massage therapist. In 2001, he had his first book "Steady Training" published. (see Books page)

Chris Byrd  - USA
My name is Chris Byrd from Odessa, Texas. I have trained for ten years in the Korea Art of Tukong Moosul under Master Cotton Hayes along with Eight years in Kanto Ryu Kempo and Bujutsu under Master John Russell.

I have been fortunate enough to do quite a bit of cross training with several different styles ranging from Phillipino Arnis, Bujinkan Ninjitsu, Mudukwon Tae Kwon Do, and several others. I am only 30 years old and look forward to a life time of training along the " way"


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