The American Masters Association

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My first certificate from the A.M. A. dates back over a decade.When Master instructor's Oren and Terry Gautreaux (1992 Olympic bronze medalist ) recognized my black belt in Tae Kwon Do back in January of 2004.  But my Association with its leadership goes back much further. The American Masters Association is a multi-style umbrella organization dedicated to the "development recognition and promotion of Martial Arts Master Instructors." (1) The organization was originally started by my long time instructor Hanshi Larry Williams

I was a student of Larry Williams in Karate and Kubodo for 20 years until his passing in October of 2007.  Hanshi Williams had promoted me to Renshi 6th dan five years earlier, and with his passing as the years have gone by I had come to think of that as my last promotion.  The American Masters Association now headed by Mr. Ed "Coach" Griffin

I studied Judo and Jujitsu with in the early 70s. He signed the certificate along with, Oren Gautreaux and Bill Wilcox who made the recommendation for the promotion. Mr. Wilcox a long time student of Larry Williams,in Independence Missouri  heads up A.M.A.'s Karate and Kubodo.

Wilcox himself spent his teen years training with Oyata sensei,and Mr. D'veed Natan, before spending 10 years in the Navy. When he returned, with Master Oyata permission, he began training in Kubodo, with Hanshi Williams. Eventually establishing a school with him.

It was very special for me to receivethe phone call at the beginning of this month, and totally unexpected. Special in that the invitation to attend came from an organization started by my sensei, headed by a man that I've known and respected since I was in my early teens.

The A.M.A. as a organization is run on a day-to-day basis with a great deal of integrity that I have always admired.

​The A.M. A. has its beginnings  "in 1970 as a small group of martial arts enthusiasts. Under the direction of Prof. Williams, it grew to include practitioners in Karate, Kickboxing, Tae kwon do, Kubudo, Instructors and School owners." (2) The A.M.A.is an association of master martial arts instructors from several disciplines dedicated to preserving the martial arts for future generations, encouraging the traditional values of martial arts and promoting progressive skill and training concepts". (3)