IKKF BULLETIN - INTERNET EDITION
3rd Quarter, 2001


In this section we include information from the organizations official newsletter - the IKKF Bulletin, plus additional news items. Hope you enjoy it.



MRS. HEILMAN RECEIVES 8th DAN PROMOTION:


READING, PA. - The 2001 IKKF Annual Training was a great event, but its most notehworthy happening was the promotion of Kyoshi ANN-MARIE HEILMAN to the ranks of 8th Dan in Okinawa Kenpo Karate and 8th Dan in Okinawa Kenpo Kobudo.

Mrs. Heilman, started her martial arts training in 1968 taking a Judo Course from Hidy Ochiai at Albright College in Reading, Pa. She subsequently started her Karate training being one of the first students of George Dillman when he opened his dojo in Reading. In 1970 she met Mr. Heilman and it was love at first punch & kick, and they were married in 1971. In 1972 she with her husband founded their own dojo in Reading as they continued their training under the direction of USKA Founder Robert Trias, Phoenix, AZ.

In 1983, the Heilmans made their first trip to Japan and Okinawa as part of a USKA tour group representing the USA. During this visit they began their direct connection with Seikichi Odo and his Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo, sponsoring a visit to the States by Odo Sensei in 1984. Subsequently the Heilmans sponsored numerous visits by Odo Sensei over the years. Her studies under Odo Sensei ultimately resulted in her earning her Renshi and later her Kyoshi Teaching Licenses in both Karate and Kobudo from Odo Sensei.

In 1991 she Cofounded the International Karate Kobudo Federation as an affiliated organization to Master Odo's OKKKF. In 1996 the IKKF ended its connection to Odo Sensei's OKKKF and established itself as an independent organization. In 1999 the Heilmans were part of the founding of the Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo Union for which they both serve as Founding Directors and Mr. Heilman as President.

Mrs. Heilman also was inducted into the United States Karate Alliance HALL OF FAME in 1996.

Over the years she has made many contributions to the arts and established herself as a role model to other women in the arts. She developed a unique "Safety Kids" Program for children aged 5-8 which focused on gross motor skills development, and awareness / prevention and home safety skills.

She also Co-Directs along with Kyoshi Bobbi Snyder, the Womens Self-Defense Instructor Training Program for the IKKF. she also heads up the Yudansha Certification Board for the IKKF, is a member of the IKKF Renshi-Kai and its San Ju Nen Kai (30 year club).

Congratulations to Ann-Marie Heilman on her achievement and contribution to keeping the "old ways alive".


HIGHLIGHTS OF 2001 ANNUAL TRAINING:


READING, PA. - The 17th IKKF (International Karate Kobudo Federation) Annual Training was held this last weekend (June 21-24th) in Reading, Pa. Participants came from around the States to participate in this intensive training in traditional martial arts. The particular focus of the training included: Karate (open hand), Kobudo (weapons), Toide (joint locking & nerve points), History, and Womens Self Defense Instructor Training.

Seminar Instructors:
o Nick Adler, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Holbrook, New York
o C. Bruce Heilman, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Reading, Pennsylvania
o Chuck Merriman, Kyoshi, 8th Dan, Boston, Mass.
o Jody Paul, Kyoshi, 8th Dan, Jacksonville, FL.
o Bill Hayes, Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Arlington, Virginia
o Ann-Marie Heilman, Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Reading, Pennsylvania
o Bobbi Snyder, Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
o Marilyn Fierro, Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Smithtown, New York

Renshi-Kai Instructors:
o Rick Zondlo, Renshi, 5th Dan, Reading, Pennsylvania
o Doug Hoover, Renshi, 5th Dan, Altoona, Pennsylvania
o Dan Rupert, Renshi, 5th Dan, Reading, Pennsylvania
o Steve Baer, Renshi, 5th Dan , Allentown, Pennsylvania
o Brian Degori, Renshi, 5th Dan, Pitman, New Jersey
o Tom Apsokardu, Renshi, 4th Dan, Bernville, Pennsylvania

The three day training was held at The Cloisters for the last time as the excellent facility is scheduled to go out of operation - it will be missed. As seems to be a reoccuring happening, this latest IKKF training experienced a major severe rain storm on Friday during which over 5 inches of rain fell. This resulted in a lot of flash flooding and many roads were closed off limiting travel around the city - but we all survived it.

Congratulations goes out the following members who passed their Yudansha Test at this years Annual Training. These individuals and their ranks include:

Kobudo:
o Frank Caliguri Caliguri Dojo, Pgh, Pa. 1st Dan Kobudo
o Nancy Caliguri Caliguri Dojo, Pgh, Pa. 1st Dan Kobudo
o Sheena Batchelor Degori Dojo, Pitman, NJ 2nd Dan Kobudo
o Brian Lindenmuth Pronio Dojo, Shenandoah, Pa. 3rd Dan Kobudo
o Greg Holmes Holmes Dojo, Phoenix, AZ 3rd Dan Kobudo
o Jose Cruz Cruz Dojo, Bethlehem, Pa. 4th Dan Kobudo / Renshi License Kobudo

Karate:
o Pat Linkhorst Baer Dojo, Trexlertown, Pa. 1st Dan Karate

Karate / Kobudo:
o Frank Simmons Hoover Dojo, Altoona, PA 1st Dan Karate & Kobudo
o Susan Carpenter Degori Dojo, Pitman, NJ 1st Dan Karate & Kobudo
o Michael Hoskins Degori Dojo, Pitman, NJ 1st Dan Karate & Kobudo
o Wes Bear Apsokardu Dojo, Bernville, Pa. 1st Dan Karate & Kobudo
o Nathan Stoudt Apsokardu Dojo, Bernville, Pa. 1st Dan Karate & Kobudo
o Dustin Haas Apsokardu Dojo, Bernville, Pa. 1st Dan Karate & Kobudo
o David Haas Apsokardu Dojo, Bernville, Pa. 2nd Dan Karate & Kobudo
o Brian Eve Degori Dojo, Pitman, NJ 2nd Dan Karate & Kobudo
o Nathan Ware Degori Dojo, Pitman, NJ 2nd Dan Karate & Kobudo
o Jason Spesak Heilman Dojo,Reading, Pa. 2nd Dan Karate & Kobudo
o Walt Moyer Heilman Dojo,Reading, Pa. 4th Dan Karate & Kobudo / Renshi License Karate / Kobudo
o Ann-Marie Heilman Heilman Dojo,Reading, Pa. 8th Dan Karate & Kobudo *
o Al Louis Louis Dojo, Pensacola, FL 8th Dan Karate & Kobudo *

(* - both Heilman & Louis promotions also authorized by the Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo Union - OKKKU Directors include: Hanshi C. Bruce Heilman, 9th Dan, Hanshi Larry Isaac, 9th Dan, Kyoshi Vic Coffin, 8th Dan, and Kyoshi Al Louis).

Congratulations also go out to the following individuals who received IKKF Annual Awards recognition. These individuals / dojo included:

o San Ju Nen Kai (30 year club) - Kyoshi Bill Hayes, Arlington, VA
o Humanitarians Of The Year - Tom and Michele Apsokardu, Bernville, Pa.
o Dojo Of The Year - Heilman Dojo, Reading, Pa.
o Competitor Of The Year - Tom Apsokardu, Bernville, Pa.

Of particular highlight was the appearance of Pennsylvania Senator MICHAEL O'PAKE who came in from Harrisburg specifically to make a formal presentation to ANN-MARIE HEILMAN from the PA. Senate on her promotion to 8th Degree Black Belts in both Karate and Kobudo.

All in all another excellent IKKF Annual Training. Mr. & Mrs. H thank all those who participated in this years event and also all those HKA Staff and students who helped out with the event logistics - great job by all.


USKA NATIONALS & ANNUAL SEMINARS:


The 2001 UNITED STATES KARATE ALLIANCE NATIONALS & ANNUAL SEMINARS was held April 6-8 in Albuquerque, NM. The event was hoisted by Hanshi James Hawkes, 9th Dan Shorin-ryu and Dr. David Jordan, 8th Dan Tae Kwon Do, Co-Directors of the USKA. Hawkes Hanshi is a member of the IKKF Executive Board.

As part of the multi-day event, Mr. & Mrs. Heilman again taught Okinawan Kobudo Seminars. The Heilmans taught sessions on the Bo, Tunfa and Sai. Shihan Fumio Demura also taught one of his excellent Karate Seminars as part of the event. The USKA's Annual Convention was scheduled for Thursday, and a Yudansha Kobudo Testing was held on Sunday for USKA members.

Mr. Heilman's retirement from competition did not last long as he returned to defend his National Weapons Grand Championship and again came away with the"gold"


UNITED STATES KARATE ALLIANCE 2001 WORLD CHAMNPIONSHIPS:


The 2001 USKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS is scheduled for August 2-5 in New Orleans, LA. The multi-day event is highly recommended and is well attended by a number of IKKF Members. the event has great competition and a lot of off-time fun at the French Quarter!

For more information on either of these two events contact USKA Headquarters at (505) 87201091 or check out their web page at "www.uska.net".


2001 NORTH AMERICAN IMAF CONGRESS & INTERNATIONAL BUDO KATA TOURNAMENT:


Bethlehem, Pa: IKKF member Sensei JOSE CRUZ, 6th Dan Shotokan, Renshi 4th Dan Okinawan Kobudo, recently hoisted the 17th NORTH AMERICAN IMAF CONGRESS. Sensei Cruz serves as a Regional Director for the IMAF-USA.

The International Martial Arts Federation (IMAF) is an international organization dedicated to furthering the teaching of traditional Japanese martial arts. The IMAF has the prestigious honor of being of of the few martial arts organizations in Japan to be fully recognized and endorsed by the Emperor of Japan.

The three day consisted of various seminars covering the arts of Karate, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido and Iaido. Instructors from Japan for the event included: Shizuya Sato, Hanshi; Tadanari Nobetsu, Hanshi; & Kunikaqu Yahagi, Hanshi. American Instructors included: Paul Godshaw, Kyoshi; Bob Ward, Renshi; and Jose Andrade.

Congregations to Renshi Cruz for hoisting a great event.


JODY PAUL SCHEDULES ANNUAL SEIDOKAN TRAINING:


Jody Paul, 8th Dan, Sorinji-ryu Kempo / Seidokan, announced that his Annual Seidokan Seminars will be held in August 24-25th in Woodbine, GA. The multi-day event will also see Mr. & Mrs. Heilman as Guest Instructors teaching sessions on IKKF Kobudo. For more information on Kyoshi Paul's Seidokan event, contact him at (912) 729-5383.


OKINAWAN MASTERS TO TOUR STATES IN AUGUST:


Noted traditional stylist, Dan Smith, 7th Dan Shorin-ryu under Shimabukuro Zenpo Hanshi, will be sponsoring a visit by a group of Okinawan Masters to the Atlanta, GA area. The visit will be marked by a multi-day series of Seminars and are highly recommended for all serious traditional stylists. Members of the Okinawan Masters Group includes: Shugoro Nakazato, Hanshi; Ryuko Tomoyose, Hanshi; Meitatsu Yagi, Hanshi; Zenpo Shimabukuro, Hanshi; Tsutomu Nakahodo, Hanshi; Massaru Yonamine, Hanshi; Kotaro Iha, Hanshi; Morio Higaonna, Hanshi. Tsuyoshi Uechi, Hanshi; and Hidemi Tamayose, Hanshi.


HANSHI ODO BECOMES ILL - VISIT TO THE STATES CANCELLED:


HAWAII - Hanshi SEIKICHI ODO, Director of RKKF, and past Instructor of the Heilmans, recently became ill during his arrival to Hawaii and had to be hospitalized at Straub Hospital for pneumonia. At the time of this writing, he had recovered sufficiently to be released from the hospital and was recovering at the Paul Ortino residence in Hawaii, prior to returning to Okinawa. His scheduled visit to RKKF Dojos had to be cancelled. Our thoughts are with Master Odo for a full and quick recovery.


HEILMAN'S 2ND SPAIN TRIP IN PLANNING:


BARCELONA, SPAIN - Mr. & Mrs. Heilman have been asked to return to Spain in November or December of this year. The visit will again be sponsored by Jose Guiral, USKA European Representative. Sensei Guiral, his wife and dojo staff were great hosts. The City of Barcelona is a beautiful city and is filled with friendly people. The Heilman's are looking forward to their return visit.


HEILMAN'S TO VISIT PUERTO RICO IN SPRING:


Renshi Jose Cruz, 6th Dan Shotokan, 4th Dan Okinawan Kobudo has extended an invite to Mr. & Mrs. Heilman to visit Puerto Rico in March of 2002. The visit is sponsored by Renshi Cruz's UNITED ALLIANCE OF SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO (UASK). This will be Mr. Heilmans second visit to the beautiful island and the first for Mrs. Heilman. Both are looking forward to some excellent training and renewing friendships.


IKKF KOBUDO SEMINAR PLANNED FOR NEW MEXICO:


ALBUQUERQUE, NM - The Heilmans will be traveling to the HAWKES DOJO for their Annual IKKF Kobudo Seminar. The two-day training event will cover both long and short weapons and also include a Kobudo Testing. for more information contact Hawkes Dojo at (505) 87201091.


IKKF KOBUDO SEMINAR SCHEDULED FOR DALLAS, TEXAS:


Hanshi Heilman will be traveling to Dallas, Texas to the MACY DOJO to conduct an IKKF Kobudo Seminar there. Mr. Macy holds a 6th Dan in TKD and a 2nd Dan in Okinawan Kobudo. The training is part of Mr. Macy's Myund Moon Moodo Ryu Association's Annual Training event. For more information contact Mr. Macy at (9720 355-0891.


IKKF DOJOS HOLD FUND RAISERS:


Congratulations to the following IKKF Dojos who recently held fund raising events for deserving charities.

o HKA DOJO, Reading Pa. - Members of the HKA Dojo recently held a KICK-A-THON to raise funds for St. Judes Childrens Hospital. The one day event raised in excess of $1,200.

o McCLOSKEY DOJO, Claysville, Pa. - Sixteen students and instructos of the McCloskey Martial Arts Center recently conducted a fund raising drive for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. The event raised $840 for the Society.


HEILMANS CELEBRATE 30TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY:


READING, PA. - On June 12, 2001, C. Bruce and Ann-Marie Heilman celebrated their 30 wedding anniversary. The Heilmans met in 1970 and were subsequently married in Reading, Pa. in 1971.


PENNSYLVANIA KARATE RATING ASSOCIATION 2000 FINAL STANDINGS:


ARNOLD, PA. - Kyoshi Frank Caliguri, President of the PKRA recently announced the Final Tournament Standing for the year 2000. The PKRA is a nonprofit rating association formed to coordinate a full slate of tournaments within Pennsylvania.

IKKF Yudansha members placing in the ratings included: Black Belt Masters Kata - Tom Apsokardu #3, Ron McCloskey #6; Black Belt Mens Traditional Kata - Mark Jordan #4; Womens Black Belt Kata - Michele Apsokardu #3; Junior black Belt Kata - Chris Otwell #4; Black Belt Masters Weapons - Tom Apsokardu #3, Dan Rupert #8; Black Belt Weapons - Mark Jordan #5; Womens Black Belt Weapons - Michele Apsokardu #3, Deborah Kohler #5; Junior Black Belt Weapons - Chris Otwell #2; Black Belt Light Sparring - Mark Jordan #3; Womens black Belt Heavy Sparring - Michele Apsokardu #2, Deborah Kohler #3.

Congratulations to the above IKKF Yudansha members on their success.


PASSING OF A MASTER:


We are sad to announce the passing of HIDETAKA FUKUDO, Okinawa, Japan, a senior student of the late Eiko Miyazato (Founder of Koho-ryu).


GET WELL WISHES:


Renshi SAM SHAW - Albuquerque, NM who is suffering for some severe lower back pain and had to miss Annual Training. Mr. Shaw is a Renshi 4th Dan in Okinawan Kenpo Kobudo and also holds a 7 th Dan in Shorin-ryu.


CONGRATULATIONS:


Special congratulations go out to the new MR. & MRS. KURT SEIBER who were wed on April 14th. Sensei Seiber holds a 6th Dan in Seidokan and a 3rd Dan in Okinawan Kenpo Kobudo.


FIGHTING SPIRIT OF MARTIAL ARTS MAGAZINE:


We are pleased to announce that another new Traditional Martial Arts Magazine has become available. The magazine is titled "Fighting Spirit of Martial Arts". The Publisher for the magazine is Don Warrener and the Editor is Goerge Alexander. Mr. Alexander is a member of the IKKF Executive Board.

The magazine is a combined effort of Yamazato videos and Masters Publications. For information on subscriptions write to: Editorial Offices, Rt. 2, Box 46C, Highway 315, Reliance, TN37369 or call 1-800-299-9262. You can check out their web pages at: "www.yamazato-videos.com" or "www.masterspub-mas.com".

Congratulations to Messrs: Warrener and Alexander on producing a high quality traditional magazine.



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