The World Okinawan Shorin-ryu Karate-do and Kobudo Association (WOSKKA)
Celebrates and Honors its own at Award Banquet 2005 in Oakland , California
Oakland , CA --- December 3, 2005

Incredible, spectacular, phenomenal, stupendous, terrific, unbelievable, awesome, wonderful and enjoyable are a few choice words that the attendees of this yearly gala used to describe the Bay Areas WOSKKA Award Banquet 2005. It was a historic night that will long be remembered for the ones that shared that special evening together in Oakland , California to honor and recognize the accomplishments of martial artist of the World Okinawan Shorin-ryu Karate-do and Kobudo Association (WOSKKA).

The popular Chinese Full Moon Seafood House in Oakland was the site of this years festive gathering that brings together martial arts from near and far.  Succinctly, it was busier than it had been all year with not a seat to be found after the WOSKKA Award Banquet 2005 got underway this most auspicious evening that unfolded Saturday, December 3, 2005 . Essentially, because of the popularity of this annual affair, it was literally booked solid several days before the scheduled ceremony got underway and for those lucky enough to attend it was guaranteed a night that they will never forget.

Joe Baca, the events coordinator, had opted for a warrior theme for this years fete and orchestrated an excellent program agenda that suited the venue to a tee. The theme for this years gala entailed samurai and Asian cultural motif and it the definitely captured the ancient era in Japan s history and Chinese culture very befittingly.  What was also notable was the symbolism reflected in the attire of some of the guests and instructors wore that evening. Chinese jing-mo attire was also quite popular and there were many wearing formal dragon embroidered tunics that were certainly appropriate for such a multi-cultural martial arts gathering. The martial arts spirit was surely reflective in the attire and formalwear and what better place to share in the revelry of the WOSKKA Awards Banquet that has become a tradition in the Bay Area for almost 20 years.

WOSKKA President and host, Hanshi Sid Campbell started the awards banquet as a yearly social function twenty years ago, at a time when very few functions of this type existed in the martial arts world.  In doing so, he created a special atmosphere to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of his students (deshi) and black belts (yudansha) that was as much of a social venue as it was a formal awards ceremony. As always, the event has lived up to its expectations and a great time was had by all that was in attendance that evening.

Over the years he and Hanshi Dan Tosh (Vice-president of WOSKKA) have continued to expand the venue and involve the martial arts world on a broader plane to serve the needs of WORKKAS affiliate schools and Chief Instructors to honor their students and teachers as well.  Since then, it has also become one of the preeminent formal settings for Sigung (Master) Mark Gerrys World Martial Arts Masters Associations Hall of Fame (WMAMA) Inductions. Which has become is one of the most prestigious martial arts hall of fame organizations in the world.

Everyone thoroughly enjoy themselves at this packed-house affair. It was certainly the ideal time of the year to have such a splendid gathering of this magnitude. It was early enough to allow everyone plenty of time to plan accordingly so they could share some time with their extended martial arts family before the Christmas holidays get in full swing and everyone shares special moments with their own family and friends both far and wide.

There were awards and formal honors galore with recognition going to students, teachers and families that have supported WOSKKA dojos in the greater Northern California region. It is also a time of camaraderie, fraternal kinship, social interaction and a special time of the year for all of WOSKKAS continually growing family to share quality time together.

The agenda featured many surprises that evening. In addition, the traditional menu of buffet-style fair was delectable and most sumptuous with an array of Chinese cuisines. ( A 5-Star rating is how everyone queried that night describing described the cuisine proffered that night).

Sigung (master) Mark Gerry, President of the World Martial Arts Masters Association Hall of Fame presentations was truly moving as he recapped a history of the organization and explained the reasons that he founded WMAMA Hall of Fame several years ago.

That evening, Sigung Gerry had the distinct privilege and honor of formally inducting American kung-fu luminaries Sifu Janet Gee and Sifu Dr. Zee Lo into this prestigious organization that has became the benchmark of excellence in the world of martial arts. With their formal ceremonious Hall of Fame enshrinement, they take their place in this honored and respected worldwide institution along with such renowned martial arts legends as, Great Grandmaster Adriano Emperado, Great Grandmaster Wally Jay, Grandmaster Ming Lum, Great Grandmaster Al Novak, Great Grandmaster Ralph Castro, Grandmaster Charles Gaylord, Great Grandmaster Ed Parker (posthumous) , Grandmaster Bruce Lee (posthumous) , Grandmaster Gene LeBell, Grandmaster Bob Wall, Grandmaster Ron Lew, Grandmaster Al Dacascos, Grandmaster Dan Tosh, Grandmaster T. R. Crimi., Grandmaster Max Pallen, Sr., Grandmaster Emil Bautista, Grandmaster Carlos Navarro, Grandmaster Eric Lee, Grandmaster Sid Campbell i.e. . Visit www.Worldgrandmasters.com for a comprehensive presentation of the WMMA Hall of Fame organization.

Legendary Jeet Kune Do co-founder (along with his confidant and comrade Bruce Lee) James Yimm Lee was posthumously inducted with Greglon Yimm Lee receiving his dads award at this poignant and emotional ceremony. See www.Oaklandjkd.com .  It was also special in that fellow Hall of Famers Grandmaster Dr. T.R. Crimi, Hanshi Dr. Dan Tosh along Grandmaster Bob Maschmeier and Hanshi Sid Campbell were in attendance to welcome the new inductees to the organization.

Surprised and unexpectedly, Ms Kelly Rudolph founder and CEO of Survive of San Diego, received the WMAMA Woman of the Year for her endeavors with personal self-defense. See www.SurviveSD.com to realize why Ms Rudolph was inducted as the organizations 2005 Woman of the Year . She becomes the second Woman of the Year along with Ms. Diane Tanaka to hold this distinction.

Martial arts Sifu and film star Dr. Zee Lo debuted and showcased his trilogy set of action-adventure martial arts films at this years WOSKKA banquet. His newly release featured films titled Chasing the Dragon , Martial Medicine Man and Combat Mortal were an immediate hit with everyone in attendance. Since many of the WOSKKA members present that night played roles in one or more of Dr. Los productions, it was made even more special to see themselves in the trailer and have Dr. Zee Lo personal present them with their own autographed copies of the theatrical released DVD films that they appeared in from the trilogy set  . See www.reelasianfilms.com .  Dr. Zee Lo was emotional and appreciative for all of the help and support from his shorin-ryu brothers and sisters who gave so willingly of their time, efforts and talents to bring these cinematic productions to life.

It was also a great evening to take photos with the many martial arts celebrities at the banquet that night. One would have thought it was the Hollywood Oscars with the many cameras and filming operations going on throughout the evening.

Among the notable WOSKKA chief Instructors and organization Board of Directors were Hanshi  Dr. Dan Tosh (Brentwood), Hanshi Sid Campbell (Oakland, California)  Shihan John Tollow (representing Ukiah, California), Shihan Sid Rayford (Merced, California), Don Anderson (Sonora), Sensei John Dombeck (Minneapolis, Minnesota), Renshi Tim Hall (Patterson, California).

In attendance were many notable martial arts masters including Professor Joe Olivarez, Kyoshi Chris Sasville, Renshi Tim Hall, Renshi Jacqueline Clark, Sifu Crystal Suan, Renshi Al Colavito, Sifu Greglon Lee, Master Marc Stoner, Master Luther Secrease, Renshi Tim Wessling, Renshi Manny Madlansacay, jr.,

Sensei(s) Scott Sandkohl, Shizumi, Ukiyo, Tenshi, Michael Garner, Shelley Tosh, Danny Tosh, Robin  Klassen, Paul Tollow, Roger Thomas, Justin Bias, James Payton, Leita Stevens, Johnny B Baldizan, Richard Baca, Bob Hodge, Tiffany Harris, Don Anderson, Peter Tam, Christopher Wallace, Brandon Callentine, Wayne Tobin,  Jagmeet Singh, Tim Converse, James T. Faasse,  Byron Buckley ( Nidan-ho ), Javonte Mabon ( Shodan-ho ) among others

Karateka Richard Cantu of Shihan Sid Rayfords dojo in Merced presented Hanshi Sid Campbell with a beautiful royal blue silk dragon embellished Chinese-style (Emperors robe) that he had personally handmade especially for the occasion.  The richly textured colored brocade design was trimmed in gold thread with an exquisite floral design symbolic of the tunics worn in china a thousand years ago. Undoubtedly, this exquisite and ornate garment will find a place in Hanshi Sid Campbells historic shorin-ryu dojo in Oakland .

Sensei and expert brew master Christopher Wallace created a commemorative bottled ceremonial Samurai Brew (pilsner beer) that was especially formulated and custom labeled for presentation to all of the martial arts grandmasters, masters, chief instructors and support staff that were in attendance that evening. Though the beer could be consumed, the expressed purpose of these commemorative bottles was remain unopened and become keepsakes and remembrances of a great evening.   It was certainly a unique and novel idea that caught on rather quickly and provided more than one topic of conversation among the many martial artists in attendance that evening.

After the ceremony, many of the distinguished martial arts masters and guests visited Hanshi Sid Campbells Dragons Lair Dojo (Dragunshire) near the Full Moon Seafood House to revel and socialize in this historical American martial arts landmark which is as much a museum and as dojo. For ones that had never been there before, they were treated to a rare collection of some of antiques and artifacts that Hanshi Campbell has collected over the better portion of forty years. One cannot help but be suspended in time somewhere in the ancient past as they peruse the countless hundreds of weapons, numerous historic martial arts artifacts, hundreds old memorable photos when martial arts was just starting in the United States and the motif that is reminiscent of Okinawa or Japan somewhere around the 17 th century. The antiquated Japanese torii gates, samurai swords, vintage and rare Okinawan kobudo weapons, mementoes, countless dragons, fences, statues, shoji screens add an even more ancient rustic ambience to this dojo that has been operating in Oakland for almost forty years. It was certainly a most appropriate way to cap off an enchanting evening where the World Okinawan Shorin-ryu Karate-do and Kobudo Association honored its own and recognized all of the hard work and accomplishments of its students and teachers over the past year.

WITH LOVE AND RESPECT
MASTER MARK T GERRY
WWW.MARKGERRY.COM

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