Today both sister dojo[s], of the Cocoa YMCA and Suntree YMCA in Florida, conducted jointly their green tip karate testing.  This was the first test conducted of deshi from the new Suntree YMCA Dojo, which opened almost two months ago.  One dozen deshi all together were tested and passed (11 for Ro-Kyu and 1 for Go-Kyu); 9 deshi from the Cocoa YMCA Dojo and 3 deshi from the Suntree YMCA Dojo.  The test was conducted by Sensei Oscarson, Sensei Tamir, and Sensei Marchetti.  Also assisting with the testing were Nidan Connie Rutkowski, Shodan Carla Eddy, and Shodan Kenar Oscarson.

I was inspired this week three times by seeing how we are truly propagating the art of Shorin-Ryu Karate, as did Master Ueshiro when he brought it to the USA in 1962.  I was inspired today by seeing new deshi I helped mold over the past couple of months test for their first rank.  I was inspired on Tuesday evening when I visited Sensei Mackay’s Dojo in St. Bart.  And I was inspired on Monday by the photos sent over e-mail by Sensei Alan Lai from the Hong Kong Dojo.  This has been a great week!

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu,

Sensei Tamir

Florida Suntree YMCA Dojo

Shorin-Ryu Karate USA