Not too bad since we have only existed for about seven months!

Given the membership incentives mentioned above, I don't think it's out of the question for us to possibly double our membership during the month of December. Let's all set that as our goal and then get busy registering our students.

SMAA Code of Conduct & Ethics:

We are slowly making progress on our Code of Conduct & Ethics. Sensei Arthur Perkins, who was heading up the project has informed me that his duties with the US Army will not allow him to complete the project. We thank him for his service to date and wish him all the best.

The project has been handed off to Sensei Jim Barry, SMAA Kyoju Dairi for the southeastern USA and his students Adam Dunham and Brad Kerr. Sensei Charles James of California has also made some significant contributions to the project thus far. I have very definite ideas as to what should be included in this Code and have offered my own advice and thoughts to the group. I think we can expect a first draft soon!

Honoring a fallen Martial Arts leader

Martial artists from the greater St. Louis, MO area were saddened to learn of the passing of Sensei Bill Laub on Sunday, September 21. Sensei Laub was kudan (9th dan) and had practiced the martial arts for well over sixty years, co-founding the Rakkasans Club with Sensei Bill Kiely over forty years ago. Our deepest and most sincere sympathies go out to his family and students.

Down but not out!

Our own Dean Sutzer, Kyoju Dairi for the Tennessee area of the USA was recently involved in a serious auto accident.

In his own words, "…things have been sort of exciting here lately. Cindy and I had just finished the last outdoor shots for the videos with the crew on the bluffs and I was heading into town to instruct a Qigong class. A village idiot thought it would be a grand idea to turn straight into the front of my car at 45mph. Result - car totaled and me in rescue squad to hospital on backboard with overnight accommodations. Neck and shoulder are toast and am currently in rehab and taped up like a Christmas present. I sort of walk around like young Frankenstein. Prognosis long term rehab."

If you would like to send an "get well soon" email, he can be reached at: maproducts@frontiernet.net My wife and I are wishing him a full and speedy recovery.

The SMAA's own Kyoshi Clay Worley, Kyoju Dairi for the Texas, USA area suffered a re-occurrence of an old injury during Sensei Angela Sutton's Academy Classic. Kyoshi Worley had previously had problems with a persistent shoulder dislocation and pins had been inserted to help control the anatomical weakness. Unfortunately during a match, the pins apparently were torn out of place which caused immediate dislocation and great pain in the effected shoulder. The shoulder was "popped back" almost instantly, but the damage was done and Kyoshi could not continue. Corrective surgery was scheduled for November 20, so hopefully he is well on the way to a full recovery.

If you would like to send an "get well soon" email, he can be reached at: scworley@sbcglobal.net  As with Dean Sutzer, my wife and I are wishing him a full and speedy recovery.

Sensei Angela Sutton will have surgery on December 1 at Columbia Regional Mediacl Center in Columbia, Missouri.  If you would like to send her a "get well soon" message, you may do so by sending an email to doublevngus@hotmail.com  As above, Kim and I are wishing her a full and speedy recovery.

New SMAA certified Instructors, Rank Examiners:

A martial artist of many, many years, SMAA Project Advisor for our Pre-Paid lLegal Program, Sensei Chuck Coffin has been evaluated and certified as follows:

Rokudan (6th dan), Jujitsu
SMAA Certified Instructor, Jujitsu
SMAA Certified Rank Examiner, Jujitsu

Sandan (3rd dan) Judo
SMAA Certified Instructor, Judo
SMAA Certified Rank Examiner, Judo

Shodan (1st dan) DaitoRyu Aiki-jujitsu Kodo Kai

An outstanding instructor hailing from Ontario, Canada, Sensei Moe Ghanie of has been evaluated and certified as follows:

Godan (5th dan), Shito Ryu Karate Do
SMAA Certified Senior Instructor, Shito Ryu Karate Do
SMAA Certified Senior Rank Examiner, Shito Ryu Karate Do

Sensei Ghanie's student, Mr. Ronald Powell has also been certified:
Shodan (1st dan), Shito Ryu Karate Do
SMAA Certified Instructor, Shito Ryu Karate Do
SMAA Certified Rank Examiner, Shito Ryu Karate Do

We congratulate them both and wish them continued growth and good fortune in the martial arts!

New SMAA leadership appointment

We are pleased to announce Dr. Greg Lawton of Michigan has been appointed the prestigious position of SMAA Yudansha Taigu.  There are only five Yudansha Taigu, the highest authority within the martial arts. Dr. Lawton is an outstanding martial artist of more than fifty years as well as an accomplished practitioner of the healing arts.  He brings our association a delicate balance that truly exemplifies the essence of both the martial and healing arts.

Major Sarwan Boodram of the Trinidad military has been appointed to act as SMAA Kyoju Dairi for that region. His years of practical military experience coupled with his dedication to the martial arts easily make him the perfect person for the job! I first met Maj. Boodram (then a Captain) in 2001 during extended training in a variety of disciplines. Not only is he VERY knowledgeable, but he is a terrific human being as well -we are honored to have the opportunity to serve the martial arts alongside individuals of his caliber. The association leadership congratulates him on his appointment to Kyoju Dairi and we also extend a warm welcome to his students:

JOSEPH NEVILLE BEARD
5th Degree Black Belt

ANACLETUS RAPHAEL
4th Degree Black Belt

IAN PATRICK LEVIA
4th Degree Black Belt

KENNETH WAFE
4th Degree Black Belt

LYNDON LEVIA
3rd Degree Black Belt

JACQUELINE BOBB
2nd Degree Black Belt

JOVAN KEVIN RONALD ALLEYNE
2nd Degree Black Belt

RAMDASS DAVID MACK
2nd Degree Black Belt

MOHINDER BOODRAM
2nd Degree Black Belt

SHIVAN SANKAR
2nd Degree Black Belt

WINSTON CUMMINGS
1st Degree Black Belt

ROGER BEST
1st Degree Black Belt

RAVI HEETAI
1st Degree Black Belt

KWADWO ODINGA
Black Belt

HEZRAN SEEPERSAD
Black Belt

ANCIL FREDERICK
Black Belt

ALYSSA SEERAJ
Black Belt

Competition results:

Sensei Angela Sutton's Academy Classic was a great success! With close to 100 competitors of all ages, this event truly had something for everyone. My wife Kim and I were honored to serve as officials for this event and were humbled by Sensei Sutton's kindness as she presented us with a special gift for our service…all we can say is "thank you!"

The "Sword of Honor" was presented to the school that demonstrated the highest level of sportsmanship and enthusiasm during the event. Wind Shadow Martial Arts of Austin, Texas received this award. You can view a picture of the recipients at http://www.smaa-martialarts.com/Sutton_tournament_results.htm.  Congratulations!

Those who placed in each of the many competition divisions are listed below. The level of competition was very good! Our respect and congratulations to all who participated…whether they placed or not…because there were no losers at this event! Full results and pictures from the competition can be found on the SMAA website on the "News & Events" page www.smaa-martialarts.com/news_&_events.htm

Black Belt Traditional Hard 18+
1st place: Nathan Francis
2nd place: Clay Worley
3rd place: Johnathon Stokes

Black Belt Traditional Soft 18+
1st place: Nick Givens

Black Belt Weapons 18+
1st place: Clay Worley
2nd place: Angela Sutton
3rd place: John Sutton and Joye Petty-Zverina
4th place: Johnathon Stokes

Black Belt Musical
1st place: Gage Hanlon
2nd place: Clay Worley
3rd place: Johnathon Stokes

Black Belt Women 18+
1st place: Sherry Furstenberg
2nd place: Angela Sutton
3rd place: Ellen Herrmann

Black Belt Women 35+
1st place: Sherry Furstenberg
2nd place: Angela Sutton

Black Belt Jr. Traditional 17 & under
1st place: John Luu
2nd place: Christian Sutton
3rd place: Gage Hanlon
4th place: Maranda Sutton

Black Belt Jr Open 17 & under
1st place: Gage Hanlon

Black Belt Jr Weapons 17 & under
1st place: Gage Hanlon
2nd place: Christian Sutton

Black Belt Self Defense
1st place: Johnathon Stokes

Jr Weapons Beginning
1st place: Caitlin Bozarth
2nd place: Caleb Brockman
3rd place: Makayla Nobles
4th place: Nikolas Green and Justin Rader

Jr Weapons Intermediate
1st place: Evan Green
2nd place: Brett McMillian
3rd place: Robert Henson

Jr Weapons Advanced
1st place: Zach Mouser

Adult Weapons Int/Adv 18+
1st place: Matthew Murphy
2nd place: ????
3rd place: Barbre Henson

Under Black Belt Musical
1st place: Caleb Brockman
2nd place: Nikolas Greene

6 & under Beginner
1st place: Brain Cooper
2nd place: Malik Culp
3rd place: Ahmad Culp
4th place: Noah Kingrey

6 & under Int/Adv
1st place: Gracie Poe

7-8 Beginner
1st place: Caleb Brockman
2nd place: Nikolas Green
3rd place: Joseph Sutton
4th place: Kirby Owens and Jade Kingrey

7-8 Int/Adv
1st place: Faith Long

9-10 Beginner
1st place: Makayla Nobles
2nd place: Liam Korn

9-10 Intermediate
1st place: Evan Green
2nd place: Robert Henson

11-12 Beginner
1st place: Justin Rader

13-14 Intermediate
1st place: Olivia Roberts
2nd place: Brett McMillian
3rd place: Michael Culp

13-14 Advanced
1st place: Zac Mouser

15-17 Beginner
1st place: Caitlin Bozarth
2nd place: Simon Pena

15-17 Intermediate
1st place: Jay Roberts

15-17 Advanced
1st place: Shane Koehler

Women 18+ Beginner
1st place: Vee Schmitt

Women 18+ Intermediate
1st place: Meghan Carver
2nd place: Barbre Henson

Men 18+ Beginner
1st place: Kirby K Owens

Men 18+ Intermediate
1st place: Joe Smith
2nd place: Matthew Murphy

Men 18+ Advanced
1st place: Ryan Anderson
2nd place: Darren Rush

Seniors 35+ Intermediate
1st place: Barbre Henson

Underbelt Self Defense
1st place: Jay Roberts
2nd place: Ryan Anderson
3rd place: Joseph Sutton
4th place: Joe Smith

Choreographed Fighting
1st place: Christian Sutton and Ryan Anderson
2nd place: Clay Worley and Joye Zverina
3rd place: Jimmy Bulger and Nick Givens

Black Belt Women 18+ Sparring
1st place: Ellen Herrmann
2nd place: Angela Sutton

Black Belt Women 35+ Sparring
1st place: Angela Sutton

Black Belt Men Lightweight Sparring
1st place: Blair Furstenberg
2nd place: Johnathon Stokes

Black Belt Men Middleweight Sparring
1st place: Nathan Francis

Black Belt Jr 14-17 Male Sparring
1st place: John Luu
2nd place: Gage Hanlon
3rd place: Darin Francis

6 & under Beginner Sparring
1st place: Malik Culp
2nd place: Noah Kingrey
3rd place: Brian Cooper

6 & under Int/Adv Sparring
1st place: Gracie Poe

7-8 Beginner Sparring
1st place: Caleb Brockman
2nd place: Nikolas Green
3rd place: Joseph Sutton
4th place: Kirby Owens

7-8 Advanced Sparring
1st place: Faith Long

9-10 Beginner Sparring
1st place: Makayla Nobles

9-10 Intermediate Sparring
1st place: Evan Green
2nd place: Robert Henson

11-12 Beginner Male Sparring
1st place: Justin Rader

13-14 Intermediate Female Sparring
1st place: Olivia Roberts

13-14 Intermediate Male Sparring
1st place: Brett McMillian
2nd place:
3rd place:
4th place: Michael Culp

13-14 Advanced Male Sparring
1st place: Zac Mouser

15-17 Beginner Male Sparring
1st place: Simon Pena

15-17 Intermediate Female Sparring
1st place: Caitlin Bozarth

15-17 Intermediate Male Sparring
1st place: Jay Roberts

15-17 Advanced Male Sparring
1st place: Shane Koehler

Women 18+ Beginner Sparring
1st place: Vee Schmitt

Women 18+ Intermediate Sparring
1st place: Meghan Carver

Men 18+ Beginner Sparring
1st place: Kirby K Owens

Men 18+ Intermediate Sparring
1st place: Sean Asher
2nd place:
3rd Place: Matthew Murphy
4th place: Joe Smith

Men 18+ Advanced Sparring
1st place: Ryan Anderson

Grand Champion Forms Youth Beginner:   Caleb Brockman
Grand Champion Forms Youth Intermediate:   Jay Roberts
Grand Champion Forms Youth Advanced:   Zac Mouser
Grand Champion Forms Adult Underbelt:   Ryan Anderson
Grand Champion Black Belt Forms:   Nathan Francis
Grand Champion Overall Musical:   Gage Hanlon
Grand Champion Overall Weapons:   Gage Hanlon
Grand Champion Overall Self Defense:   Jay Roberts
Grand Champion Black Belt Sparring Male:   Nathan Francis
Grand Champion Black Belt Sparring Female:   Ellen Herrma

We are here to help!

Please don't fail to let me know if you need anything at all in the martial arts. The mission of our association is to provide the fair and timely services that all genuine and legitimate martial artists require, and to unite the martial arts on an international level - not technically, but in spirit. Let us know how we can help to accomplish this!

 
Do you have news, pics, announcements or other info you'd like to share?

Let us know! We want to hear about what is going on with our members and their students! If you have competitions, seminars, tests, pictures, etc. or other information that you would like to post result for, just let us know and we will include them in our next newsletter.

In closing…

Let's all make the most of the SMAA Membership Incentives offered during the month of December and make a real push to get all of our students registered. If you need help with this or if you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
 

It's an honor to be of service to you!

All the best,

Donn Schucker
Executive Director
(314) 606-7306
www.smaa-martialarts.com