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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.

Gary Gablehouse - USA
Married to Cindy since 1975 (currently 25 years). Have one daughter (Malindi) who was born 1978 (currently 21 years old). Am currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Fairfield Research, Inc. and Fairfield Communications, Inc. whose focus is on media and entertainment technology market research and marketing consulting. Have been a business owner since 1981. Have had significant
experience in expeditionary mountaineering. Have climbed extensively throughout North America, South America, Africa, Europe and Asia. Was nominated to the Explorers Club by Sir Edmund Hillary (first man to climb Mt. Everest) and Dr. Barry Bishop (A member of the first successful USA Everest team). Interests outside of the martial arts include gardening with my wife, watching my daughter play rugby, adventure travel and outdoor pursuits, bonsai cultivation, oil painting, writing (currently writing an adventure novel), fly tying and fishing.

Juan J. Lista Garcia - South Africa
Well I'm 36 year old now and I'm working as a medical practitioner in a small rural hospital in Pongola, K.Z.N. I started practicing Karate-Do Shorin Ryu style in 1985 and had my black belt shodan in 1989, 2nd Dan in 1991 and 3rd Dan in 1993 getting my certificate from sensei Raul Rizo (6th Dan) and sensei Hoshu Ikeda (8th Dan). From 1995 my training became very unstable due to a full postgraduate studies for a qualification as specialist in Internal Medicine but the spirit never went.
My training dojo was the one in the medical school; mostly where I was instructor together with my mate and friend sensei Ernesto Ramirez (4th Dan), and also in the main dojo for black belt training sessions and semminars. Tournaments performance during my years of the university studies (golden time):
a.. 12 place (Kata) (Chinto) in an international all styles tournament (Venezuela, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Japan).1989.
b. Bronze Medal (Kumite) in a national tournament Shrin Ryu Style; with a broken nose(still my nasal bridge not straight) and a bloody Gi at home as a wonderful memories together with the medal.1990.
c.. Gold Medal (Kata: Bassai Dai, Bassai Sho and Kushanku Sho) in a national universities tournament.1991.
In 1989 was selected to attend a seminar done by sensei Shoko Sato(6th Dan Shito Ryu at that time).
That's mainly the story.
Here in Pongola I met Mr. Tjaart Kruger, he was doing Shoto Kan first,then Kobujutsu Kai(Black Belt 2nd Dan); we trained sometimes and try to raise a Karate club but people seemingly was not interested.Then I found myself training sometimes with two young boys that seems to like my style (Shorin Ryu),when we have some free time. This is my Martial Arts background for your information. The possibility of be a member of Sabaki Talk Discussion Forum will be a very good oportunity for me to keep updated in all the information concerned to Karate and Martial Arts in general since this small town is far from any dojo, club or any other school. Thank you once again for allow me to subscribe to your list and have this portunity.

Gordon Garland - USA
My name is Gordon Garland.... I received my Shodan from Grandmaster Robert. A. Trias, USKA. I received my seventh dan from Johnny Pachivas ,USKA, inc. I received my 8th. Dan from Master Douglas Gross AJKA. I am currently teaching at the Mind Body, Spirit Dojo in Atlanta USA. In 1990 at a joint meeting of the USNKA, and the USAKF I was giving the title of Living Martial Arts Treasury. I also received the Mejin Award in 1998 for a lifetime of contributions to the Martial Arts..while teaching at the SC. Symposium. I am a master weaponsmaker and the first to make karate weapons in the USA.

Charles Garrett - USA
While I was in my mid twenties I ventured into karate. If not for medical conditions I probably would have been practicing Goju ryu karate instead of the Matsumura Shorin-ryu. Most fortunate to have studied under the late Hohan Soken Sensei Heir to Matsumura system for two years. Since studying with Master Soken, my seito have been my teachers. With a strong back bone Okinawan Wife Haruko Kinjo of Itoman Zaha Okinawa.

Irawan S. Gewi -Indonesia
My name Irawan S. Gewi, Aikido Shodan (Aikikai) from Jakarta, Indonesia.

Harry Gorter - Netherlands
I am 38 years old and having a wife and 2 children (sons). In my profession I am running my own IT Company.

I practice karate since I was 16 years of age. In 1977 I started with Kyokushin Karate and in 1984 I became an instructor. I gave lessons in Kyokushin till I migrated to Ashihare Karate (IAKO, IBK)in the years 1990/1991. Since 1991 I give lessons im my dojo in Ashihara Karate. Besides Ashihara karate I am also an instructor in Kyokushin BudoKai (this is the allround fighting system from grandmaster Jon Bluming) and in Pancrase (Bas Rutten style). Futhermore I am very interested in other styles of martial arts. I have practiced Judo, Ju-Jutsu, Tai-Chi, Teakwondo and Kick-boxing and currently I take private lessons in Wing Tsun (Leung Ting style).

So this was my short introduction to you and I am looking forward to hear from you a lot in the future.

Buddy Govender - South Africa
My name is Buddy Govender and I am from Durban. I started my training in Goju Kai Karate under Stan Hart and Leo Lapinski in 1969 in the now burnt-down Radio House Building in Gardener Street. I was 9 years old when I started. I graded to Shodan under Yamaguchi Goshi Shihan when I was 16 years old (my Shodan certificate is signed by Yamaguchi Gogen Hanshi himself!).

I continued my Goju Kai training under Vasi Naidoo. I was also fortunate to have played 1st division professional football in the NSL for Amazulu F.C. for 10 years. In 1997, I trained at the Jundokan in Naha, Okinawa under Miyazato Ei'ichi Hanshi- 10th dan (a direct long-term student of Miyagi Chojun O'Sensei). He graded me to my current grade of Yondan (4th dan) and appointed as his official Southern Africa representative. I am blessed to represent and be taught by Miyazato Sensei who is a direct link to the founder of Goju Ryu Karate-Doh.

I also serve on various committees of the Karate Association of Natal. My Dojo is situated on the 1st floor of a 100 year old building - the Cathedral Parish Centre, which is in the Durban City Centre. I am fortunate to have a number of wonderful and sincere Karate-ka/people, like Mark Appolos and Chantal Govender Sempai, train at my dojo. I am also Japanese graded in Iaido (Seite) and am fortunate to have also studied Katori Shinto Ryu Iaido (as shown on the Way of the Warrior video), however not as much as I would have loved too have studied.

Jason Gramling - USA
I'm new to this group. My name is Jason Gramling. I hold Nidan ranks in Yoshukai Karate, Kobudo, and Toride. I live in Bedford, Massachussets, USA. I heard about this group from a friend who said it's top notch.

Rolf Granlund - USA

Location: Toledo, Ohio Current Style: Kenpo Karate I have been involved in the martial arts for approximately fifteen years, studying/training in a few different systems. My first experience, and probably my favorite, was during my studies at a local university. It was there that I began my training in Kodokan Judo. I achieved the rank of sankyu before graduating. The cool thing is that I have a standing invitation from the instructor to come back any time to train, even though I am no longer a student of the university. It was through Judo that I learned the value of finding a good teacher and of hard training. There were some times that I could barely walk off the mat under my own power!

After Judo I began training in an offshoot of the Tracy kenpo system, spending about a total of four years and achieving the rank of yonkyu. Yeah, I was not the best of students as far as attendance was concerned. However, it was through this school that my passion for kenpo and its emphasis on self defense began to take shape. I also began to realize the importance or value that other systems can offer.

The other side of me (being a Gemini) is a hard core traditionalist. I spent two and a half years at a Ryobu-kai school and got an excellent taste of Japanese kata and weaponry. My time at this school really made a difference in developing my stances and introduced me to by two favorite concepts, zanshin and sabaki.

Currently I am once again training in a kenpo system and have just started to train in Iaido, specifically the system founded/directed by Kiyoshi Yamazaki. So now I can feed my both my contemporary and traditional sides.

Jeremiah A. Griffith - USA
I am from Wichita, Kanasa. I have been studying Shorin Ryu Kenshin Kan, for 10 years, and I currently hold a Shodan. I have studied with, Charles Garrett II, Michael J Barkley, Carol Barkley, Leroy Rosebraugh and I have also studied with Grand Master Fusei Kise, and with Craig Hodgkins. I am currently teaching Rape prevention courses, and basic self defence. I am also studying with the Wichita Police Department and teaching hand to hand combat with them. I am a Wichita PD officer, and very much enjoy my job. Currently I am working on a manual of my martial arts or more specifically martial arts in general so be on the look out.

Rene Grobler - South Africa
My name is Rene, I live and work in Sedgefield (South Africa), I am 34, and in the construction trade. I began Karate nearly a year ago, so haven't even learned to crawl yet. I started in Goju Ryu.... Then I spent 5 weeks training with our Senpai Hoosain at his Honbu Dojo in Retreat and my MA horizons suddenly broadened! I have learned one thing in the last year of training - that no one style is "best"... they all offer something of value and the more one learns the more one realises that there is MUCH more TO learn. I can deeply sympathise with Rinka Singh with the struggle to find a class and Sensei that suits you..... I am currently training privately on my own with two other MA in Sedgefield, a 1st Dan in Shotokan and a Tae Kwon Do MA, after having tried the only two schools in the area and found something lacking. I am using Senpai's Ashihara study material and am dreading the day he actually sees the way we have interpreted the "words" into "deeds".

Sunit Kumar Gupta - USA
Started learning Kyokushin Karate under Shihan Dadi Bulsara in India from 1975. Continued off and
on till1981. Practiced with Shihan Dadi Bulsara from 1990 till present whenever I am in India as
Ashihara Karateka. Practiced with Sensei John Walsh in Sunvalley, Ca, USA between 1986-1988. In
1988 Joined Burbank YMCA Dojo and started training and assisting Sensei John Walsh, Sensei Mark
Crescitelli - Yondan, Shihan Brian Bastien. In 1993 started teaching at a new Branch of Burbank YMCA
at Reseda YMCA. Continued as assistant instructor at Burbank & Reseda YMCA Dojo till 1997. I was
also the Chief Instructor for junior classes. Attended numerous Tournaments, Camps and Seminars
including Seminars conducted by Shihan Bobby Lowe and Shihan Steven Coriggal on Advanced Self
Defense Techniques for Kyokushin Instructors only.
Separated from Burbank & Reseda Dojos in 1997 and started teaching Kyokushin Karate on my own
in Los Angeles County and in Palm Desert. I am still practicing with Shihan Mark Crescitelli whenever
I have the opportunity.

Non Kyokushinkai Education and Experience:
I have been a student of Shotokan Karate under Sensei Anil Sinha in Calcutta India. I have been a student
of Judo under Sensei James Chen in Calcutta India. I have been a student of Tai Ki Ken and Jiu Jutsu
in USA. Recognition: Received numerous medals, certificates and trophies including a Presidential
Certificate from President Bill Clinton in 1996.

Sammy Guerrios - Puerto Rico
Samuel Guerrios was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico in 1961. He has an associate degree in Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (EMT-P), Licence number 0353 which was granted by the Department of Health of Puerto Rico in 1980. He is the President of the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 2158 in 1997. He works with the Department of Defence (DOD), Motor Vechicle Operator (MVO) Handy Cap Transportation Division, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico Antilles Consolidated School System (ACSS). He also acts as a Graphic Artist and is certified in Computer Repairs.

He began his study of Karate when he was Ten Years old in 1971 with Teacher Richard Alberto Betancourt Bery (Hanshi 7 Dan Piuk Tae Wado Ryu) obtaining Black Belt in 1977 and later 2nd Dan. In 1980, he began the study of Shotokan Karate Do, reaching 4th Dan with Omar Abreu Shihan, 6th Dan. He also studied Shorinji Kempo with Eduardo Guerrios Sensei, 3rd Dan.

He founded the school, Kanzen Shotokan Karate Do (KASHOKA) and was the co-founder as the
General Secretary of the Asociacion Puertoriquena Shotokan Karate Do (APUSHOKA) which received
recognition from the Japan Karate Association (JKA).

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