While I was president of IUKF, (International Uechi-ryu Karate Federation) I did most of the work involved with running the organization. . . And believe me, there was a great deal of work required on a daily basis. . . And when I felt that it was time to turn over the reins to someone, both qualified in business areas, but more importantly qualified in the more important areas consisting of:
100 % deserving of his/her master ranking.
Still very much active in teaching.
Responsible for teaching thousands of capable students and many who were motivated by this individual to carry on as Uechi-ryu teachers.
Respected by all, as a human being and as a martial artist.
Open-minded in all matters, relating to Uechi-ryu specifically and martial arts generally.
In excellent physical/mental condition, able to confront the political conflicts and the mental/emotional confrontations this position encounters on a daily basis.
Imaginative, creative and a “doer”. . . someone capable of accomplishing those tasks and projects needed to be upgraded.
Someone, capable in all these challenging accomplishments, able and willing to devote a great deal of his daily life to the job.
And anyone reading this list will by now understand why I selected Grand Master Darin Yee for the position and after several years in this position, know how pleased I remain over that momentous decision.
There were many individuals who filled some of the above slots, but very few who filled them all. GM Darin Yee, who not only was qualified in my requirements, but also shared a love for a mutual hobby. . . Golf!
And it is on the golf course, where we talk about IUKF and discuss the purposes and goals of a martial art organization and structural changes needed for the future.
My sincere thanks to GM Yee for all his work and time spent building an organization for dojo owners and their students that will live on forever.
On May 20th and 21st a Dan Test and a Uechi-Ryu Seminar with Lee Adams (IUKF UK) took place in Regensburg, Germany. Five Uechika from Regensburg passed a dan test. Philipp Merkl – Godan, Michaela Günter – Sandan, Martin Beiel – Sandan, Jürgen Donhauser – Nidan, Volker Kösztner – Nidan.
Lee Adams and Paul Kronschnabl shared the leadership of the seminar. My special thanks to our guest Lee Adams Sensei, who held a very interesting seminar. All present participated eagerly and it was a lot of fun for everyone. Thanks also to Lee Sensei’s students (Sarah and Adnan) who traveled with him. After the seminar and the exams we celebrated of course extensively.
1958 – Southern White Crane in Boston Chinatown. Hudson Street at the Chinese Republican Party Headquarter. I studied with my Godfather, a well-known White Crane Master in China. My father hired Master Chin’s security company in 1949, and they became lifelong friends. Master Chin came to America in 1957 to escape the Chinese Communist Party. Due to his reputation, he was coerced to teach once his presence was known. He decided to return to China in 1965.
1965 – White Crane and Hung Gar in Boston Chinatown, Bamboo Hut Club. Corner of Beach Street and Harrison Avenue. Before my Godfather returned to China, he introduced me to some martial arts teachers in Boston’s Chinatown and insisted I continue training. I learned what they had to teach but always remembered his principles. I’ve continued his principles to this day. His six and half years with me were not wasted with me.
1969 – Uechi-Ryu Karate Mattson Academy. Corner of Hancock Street and Cambridge Street. I was introduced to Uechi-Ryu by a few of my friends from my neighborhood. This group of friends was studying at Mattson Academy and wanted me to see and experience the system. I quickly realized my fighting ability could benefit from the strong, hard training I’d witnessed there. I’ve been a loyal, avid student of Uechi-Ryu since that day.
1971 – Judo and Jujitsu BYMCU. Essex Street The BYMCU was a block away from Chinatown. Although I was continuously told not to train with weights, I secretly joined the BYMCU to lift for body conditioning prior to training in Kung-Fu in Chinatown. Please realize that training in Uechi-Ryu almost daily did not mean I eliminated my Kung-Fu training. After being caught in a few nage-waza by Ziggy’s students, I grew interested in Judo and Jujitsu and practiced for five months before time constraints stopped this practice.
1975 – Muay Thai and Boxing. Huntington YMCA I met one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life on a job site. I was a pipefitting apprentice, and he was the labor supervisor. His name was Val Boston. I usually walked to Mattson Academy after work, and after my Uechi-Ryu training, I would walk to Chinatown to train in Kung-Fu before driving home after retrieving my car from Chinatown. I trained in boxing to get a feel of what this training was like, but not to pursue boxing formally. While I trained in boxing, I introduced myself to a group of Muay Thai fighters and asked if I could train with them. They accepted me, and I limped home every day I trained with them. After about 2 months, Val Boston said he would like me to suspend my time in karate and train more with boxing. By then, I had fallen in love with Uechi-Ryu and chose to stay with Uechi-Ryu. The valuable training I received from Val was never forgotten, nor did I forget the leg poundings I received in training with my Muay Thai friends. Val and I remained good friends, and he was a tremendous help on the job site.
1978 – Choy Li Fut/Hung Gar Kung Fu. Taishan and Guangzhou, China Due to my interest in learning the difference between Kung Fu in the United States and that which is taught in China, I asked a few friends who frequently visited Southern China where most of the Kung Fu Masters relocated to hide from the government, that had restricted the study of ancient arts. After several attempts, I finally received an invitation to train with real Kung Fu organizations. I began visiting and revisiting China for further and more comprehensive training 2 to 3 times a year. I would stay anywhere from 2 weeks to almost 3 months at a time to study and train in a few different systems of Kung Fu. One of the most valuable studies was the understanding of Chinese weaponry. While watching so many of the students worldwide (similar to Uechi-Ryu), I realize the movements are there, but understanding the nuances and usage is completely missing.
Although I’ve trained in many more styles than listed, they were simply for the experience of different martial arts. I am by no means an expert in them. My dedication is White Crane, Hung Gar, Chinese weaponry, and, most prevalent of all, Uechi-Ryu.
