Then how did everybody get promotedm if there was no one qualify to continue teacing? Sorry had to ask.
I didn't say there was no one qualified to continue teaching, I said there was no one in the Parker Family qualified. No one in the family was even a black belt, and Edmund didn't receive his from me for a few years. For most, unless the bulk of the seniors stayed as a committee, the IKKA would have been a "dead end" ultimately ruled by non-martial artist. Ultimately Mrs. Parker chose one of the remaining black belts to be "her guy," and "promoted" him every year until he achieved the rank she needed.
But as far as other promotions, I feel that if you want to know something personal about someone you should ask them. Why would you come to a forum and ask where everybody got their rank. How would any one person be able to answer such a question, other than for themselves?
For the record, I held rank before I began study with Mr. Parker in 1963, and was promoted to 7th by him before he passed, but in general do not feel rank is of any measure anymore, and I do not wear stripes. I feel the man should speak for himself, if there is any real validity and integrity to what he does.
However for those that over value those things, I will speak for myself only.
After Mr. Parker passed, I was recruited by the late Dr. Bernd Weiss, an officer in the American Teachers Association of the Martial Arts (ATAMA), who asked me to be a part of the creation of the first Southern California Chapter of the organization.
Senior Grandmaster of Shaolin Kempo, and former Parker student, Ralph Castro along with Grandmaster Duke Moore, had created ATAMA years earlier.
Of course I knew Grandmaster Castro, and I knew Dr. Weiss from the old days with the American Federation of Independent Karate-do (A.F.I.S.K.), and all including Duke Moore were good friends of Ed Parker.
After helping to form the local chapter, I was elected to the position of Vice-President, and held the office and re-elected every year by the members for five years. The Chapter included other notable members from various disciplines including Grandmaster Douglas Wong, Pendekar Clifford Stewart, Grandmaster David Bellman, (who was also the national secretary treasurer), the late Sijo Edwin Hamile, Professor Eugene Sedeno, Professor Len Riley, and numerous others. (Cant remember everybody at the moment).
I conducted seminars and clinics throughout Southern California during my tenure as Vice President teaching amongst many styles and disciplines, and in front of and with their Grandmasters as well.
At a National Seminar gathering of ATAMA held at Valley College, I was asked to do a grandmaster presentation along with Tak Kubota, who had just recently became a member, and was awarded an 8th with Ralph Castros blessings and presence. Over the years, I was similarly awarded a 9th, and 10th from ATAMA.
Further, I also was awarded a 9th by the World Federation of Karate-do, and had my school certified as the only outside of the style school sanctioned by them as well. This diploma was signed by many including Sijo Edwin Hamile of West Coast Shotokan, and Dr. Bernd Weiss who had ascended to President of ATAMA..
Over time, I have also received a 9th from DanZan Ryu Grandmasters, Dominic and Helen Corollo, along with a "Guru" Ranking in Pukulan Kilat Silat from Pendekar Cliff Stewart, who is registered with the Indonesian Government, and a "Senior Guru" ranking in Within Arms Reach, (W.A.R.) among others. At the moment, this is all I can remember.
I also have rankings and have trained in Five Animal, Shotokan, and Hapkido, and have the diplomas and the appropriate signed certificates.
Although belt rankings are not as important to me as some, I am particularly proud of the fact that I have found approval and validation of my skill and knowledge across a broad spectrum of disciplines and their Grandmasters, but even so, still hold my last diploma from Ed Parker Sr. as an invaluable and cherished document.
Others will have to speak for themselves, and I suggest you "ask nicely."
