06/23/2026
I cannot begin to say how proud I am to award this young man the rank of Shodan-Ho Black Belt this past Sunday. He came to me as an 8 year old boy and now 8 years later, is the first Black Belt I have awarded in Arizona and is also the youngest. He is an academic leader (Honor Roll Society) in school, community volunteer and a leader in the dojo. My very good friend and student of over 20 years Ted Davis came down from Idaho to help with his test. Several other martial art instructors from Shorin-Ryu Karate and Aikido were in attendance. The test itself included a written test, performance of basics including Basic blocks, kicks and punches, Sandan-Gi (3-step movements of offense and defense), Kata (forms) which included Ted acting as a junior student having to be "taught" Gekisai Dai Ichi, along with associated "applications," demonstration of Hojo Undo (exercises with weighted implements), Kakie with our basic joint locking & throwing techniques, Bo Staff Kata and finally a free style "Tanto Randori" with a student and myself executing non-static knife attacks with real speed and intent to make contact. Afterwards we all had a great lunch in celebration. It was a wonderful day. Congratulations Hiro.
