| THE UECHI-RYU WEST ORGANIZATION, BLACK BELT TESTING, AND THE UECHI-RYU WEST BOARD OF DIRECTORS Uechi-ryu Karate-do is one of a few purely traditional systems of karate worldwide. Its direct link to Chinese roots is unmistakable, and the system is practiced in a consistent manner around the world. Uechi-ryu West is a group of dojos that are members of the Okinawa Karate-do Kyukai (OKIKUKAI), an organization based in Okinawa and international in scope. The dojos of Uechi-ryu West work together to maintain high standards of training and testing, and the methods of instruction are consistent with those of the OKIKUKAI on Okinawa. Uechi-ryu West follows the standards as set forth by our mentor, Master Tsutomu Nakahodo, and the OKIKUKAI headquarters board of directors in Okinawa. Uechi-ryu West conducts black belt testing on the third Saturday in May, and the third Saturday in November. Instructors and students of various dojos of the organization host the testing, and the location is announced prior to the test with adequate time for planning. The test board consists of ranking Shihans (Master Instructors) from among the various Uechi-ryu West dojo. This board has been in place for a number of years, and has operated under the supervision of the late Ahti Kaend, Kyoshi, 8th Dan. The board continues to operate by mandate from Okikukai. Members of the board have had extensive instruction from Master Ahti Kaend, as well as from senior members of the Okikukai organization in Okinawa. The results of Dan Testing conducted by the board are compiled and sent to the Okikukai, Okinawa, and all black belts are recognized by and registered with the Okikukai organization in Okinawa. Black belt certificates are created by the Okikukai in Okinawa and then sent to Uechi-ryu West. |
| Uechi-ryu West, OKIKUKAI, Black Belt Certification, and Board of Directors |
| THE UECHI-RYU WEST BOARD (click on the button for a link to individual web pages) (CLICK ON EACH PHOTO FOR A LARGE VERSION) |
| Olga Kaend, Rokudan, 6th Dan, November 1998, Okinawa (Retired) |
| Shihan Dave Sargent, Kyoshi, 8th Dan, August 2014, Past President, Co-Chairman |
| Shihan Steve Goss, Kyoshi, 8th Dan, August 2014, Chief Instructor, Co-Chairman, |
Uechi-Ryu West Home Page
Shihan Michael DeDonato, Renshi, 6th Dan, September 2010, California, President
Shihan Dean Klossner, Renshi, 6th Dan , June 2012, Okinawa, Past President, Co-Chairman
Shihan Michael Ham, Renshi 6th Dan, August, 2014, Chief Instructor, Co-Chairman
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Shihan Ted Earle, Godan, 5th Dan, May 2017, Chief Instructor, Treasurer
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Jun-Shihan Damon Brown, Godan, 5th Dan, May 2017, Chief Instructor, Secretary
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