There are many people that we would like to honor. We are accepting recommendations on worthy honorees for this years event.
The reason why the 2013 Martial Arts University is The 20 Year Tribute to the Grandmasters in Action to remember posthumously all our mentors and honor them by practicing the art they passed down to us.
The Image Awards are dedicated for the time one has put into practicing these arts our pioneers have handed down to us.
20 Years ago Michael DePasquale Jr had the honor of hosting the Grandmasters in Action, which honored great pioneers of the Martial Arts such as, Antonio Pereira, Ronald Duncan, Professor Florendo M. Visitacion, Pete Siringano Sr, Wally Jay, and Michael DePasquale Sr who are no longer with us.
In 1989 Soke DePasquale held the first East Coast Hall of Fame through his magazine Karate International. This was done with no whistles or bells in a gymnasium in Teaneck NJ, where he inducted the great pioneers, Peter Urban, Henry Cho, Don Nagle, as well the above, and more.
Moses Powell, along with Soke DePasquale Sr. co hosted a seminar in New York City. The pair had also previously presented at the 1964 Worlds Fair in Queens with notable Martial Arts Figures, Ronald Duncan, Thomas Lapuppet, George Challion, the Stern Brothers among others; where Michael DePasquale Sr hosted and emceed an exhibit at the Japanese Pavilion.
Junji Saito we are proud to honor because he was the instructor of Michael Depasquale Sr. and an influence on many, including practitioners of the Hakkoryu, Diatoryu, and Kittoryu systems. He was sent to America, by Okuyama, the founder of the Hakkoryu Ju Jitsu system. With Okuyama's Blessing, Junji Saito and Michael Depasquale Sr.founded the Yoshitsune System.
Joe Lewis is probably the youngest to pass out of the group but truly was a great friend and mentor in many ways to many of us. In the 60s, Joe was the most celebrated point fighter, winning every tournament he was in. Joe and Soke Michael DePasquale Jr did the video Ring Deadly Street Lethal in 1994 before the UFC even began. He was the kickboxing legend and considered the founder of kickboxing in america when he was the first kickboxer shown on Wide World of Sports where kickboxing was introduced. He co-starred in Soke Michael DePasquale Jr’ The Cutoff movie did a phenomenal job. Joe Lewis is the also responsible for the Joe Lewis Fighting System with many followers to this day.
Ed Parker did his last interview with Soke Michael DePasquale Jr’s magazine Karate International . Ed Parker was famous for the Long Beach Internationals in Long Beach California, where he introduced Bruce Lee. Soke Michael DePasquale Jr knew Ed and his son well and sees him truly, as Kempo’s most influential figure.
Antonio Pereira, crafted his skill in combat during WWII. He took his knowledge and turned it into practical defense after the war. He traveled to Japan to learn directly from the source. He formalized the name of his eclectic method Miyama Ryu Jujutsu, which means School of the Three Mountains. Many people carry on his legacy, such as Grandmaster Nigron, former Police Detective Miguel Ibbarra, among many other instructors worldwide.
Henry Cho is also responsible for the largest Taekwondo East Coast tournament for decades and had the largest school in the ny metropolitan area. He truly was a Taekwondo legend and pioneer. Henry Cho was also honored at the 1989 KI East Coast Pioneer Awards, the first of it's kind.
Hanshi Pete Siringano Sr was a distinguished military veteran, and was known as a no-nonsense, tough, traditional Sensei, training in both Goshindo Kempo Karate & Samurai Jiu Jitsu.Hanshi Siringano with Soke Michael DePasquale Jr conducted the Karate International Special Olympics World East Coast Championships in Hackensack, NJ. His legacy lives on through his son Pete Siringano Jr, among many other instructors worldwide.
Don Nagle was infamous for being very aware of his opponent’s intentions. He left behind a legacy of perfection as the only goal, through dedication and perseverance. His legacy continues through notable practitioners, such as Ralph Passaro, who for many years continued to run Don Nagle's Hall of Fame Awards, among many other instructors worldwide.
Ronald Duncan was the first to practice and teach Ninjutsu in the states in the 60’s and 70’s before the ninja craze hit America in the 80's and 90's. Ronald Duncan was also the first to be shown catching live arrows with his bare hands. He was also a certified expert in firearms, Professor Duncan was quite proficient in combative and gun disarming tactics. His son Greg Duncan continues his legacy by teaching his fathers system, among many other instructors worldwide.
Professor Visitacion was a powerful, but gentle artist. Growing up in rural Philippines, he encouraged modesty in appearance, Professor Vee’s teachings went beyond physical movements involving comportment and behavior. His legacy lives on notably through David James, who teaches Professor Vee's Ju Jitsu, among many other instructors worldwide.
Peter Urban, the founder of the karate styles known as American Goju trained under Oyama. He propagated the popularity of Goju Ryu to America and was a veteran of the US Navy. His legacy lives through the many people who teach his Goju system, such as Joe Hess, Ed McGrath, and many others too numerous to mention.
Professor Wally Jay was the founder of the Gendai Budo martial art Small Circle JuJitsu - Professor Jay’s years of experience in classical jujitsu, judo, boxing, weightlifting, wrestling, aikido, kung fu, other martial arts training, and many periods of trial and error, led him to develop his theory known as Small Circle Theory.
The legacies of these Grandmasters are too numerous to mention, if we have missed crucial parts of your linage please let us know.
In the coming weeks we will be posting stories in our blog about these Grandmasters. We invite you to read them and share your own stories and connections to these pioneers, with us and the world, in the comments.
Let us record our art's history together by sharing our stories of our forefathers and where their systems are today!
- Click here to Register for the Martial Arts University 2013 - 20 Year Tribute to the Grandmasters in Action with Early Bird Discount - Group rates are available for instructors.
- Click here to Nominate a person for a 20 Year Tribute to the Grandmasters in Action Image Award
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