Sigung Stephen LaBounty, Mohamad Tabatabai, Tom Bleecker, and Paul Dye will be inducted into this years Masters Martial Arts Hall of Fame. The MHOF event will be held on August 11, 2012 at the Orange County (CA) Hilton.

http://www.mastershalloffame.org/

This is an outstanding group representing kenpo. I hope you can be a part of this great evening. Dan Hect has really stepped up to help raise funds for the Royal Family Kids and Bob White will be the keynote speaker.

Please get your tickets early. You can purchase your tickets online at
http://www.mastershalloffame.org/content/adult-dinner-2012

Four wonderful people and Kenpo icons who most certainly deserve this honor. So awesome to hear. Congrats to all four amazing individuals. TCB.

Michael Miller

Well deserved by all.

Best in Kenpo,
Brye Cooper

threw up in the back of my mouth...

is there footage anywhere of the "masters" performing Kenpo? Maybe some forms, sets, and techniques? Maybe I'm incorrect, but isn't Bleecker an author? Is he an actual 10th degree/"master of the art"?

What is the masters hall of fame? The website says it's a not for profit group, but all those $150 dinner plates are going somewhere.. This looks and smells like a big scam, it's the "masters hall of fame" but I don't see Mr. Parker's name on the list? Nor do I see any other names of Kenpo folk when I think of "masters".. How does one get inducted? $$$?

Hello,

Tom Bleecker is much more than an author. He's very legit in Kenpo beginning in the early 1960s (like 1960 or 1961) directly under Mr. Parker. Bleecker recieved his black under Parker in either 1964 or 1965 (can't remember off the top of my head). Bleecker is a true old timer and senior in Kenpo.

As for this hall of fame. I don't know anything about it.

Michael Miller

I'm not sure of the induction process. I believe there is a board of members who nominate for each art and then those nominees get voted on.

There are many kenpoists represented in this HOF. Off the top of my head they include:

Tom Kelly
Ron Chapel
Fred Brewster
Frank Trejo
Bob White
Eddie Downey
Jeff Speakman
John Sepulveda
Mr. Parker (Edmund represented his father for the induction)
and others I can't think of right now.

Thanks,
Vishal

I didn't see these names on their website.. Where did you find this info?

Hi Chuck,

If you look at the inductees list for the last few years, you will see those names (along with Dave Hebler and Steve Muhammad among others).

For example onhttp://www.mastershalloffame.org/content/mhof-inductee-list-2009

You will see Bob White, John Sepulveda and Tom Kelly.

I have attended the last few years so I have also see the inductions. That is why I gave the names off the top of my head.

I hope that helps.

Regards,
Vishal

If you go to this link.
http://www.mastershalloffame.org/

You will see Inductees, click on it, has all the names each year that were nominated, starting in 1999.
This year is a very small group, but well deserved imho.

Tom Bleecker is a well deserved person for this award, he has been around EPAK for about 50 years. He could have been a 10th long ago, but felt that he was not worthy, very honest person, he is worthy IMHO.
All masters are not just ones who have fought in the ring, many have author experience, and proper attitudes, that should be rewarded.

Regards,
Gary

1. he has been around EPAK for about 50 years.
2. very honest person
3. author experience
4. proper attitudes

These sound more like attributes for Boy Scout achievement Badges.

He had his own school, taught, fought, sold it in the late 80's.

But you are right, pretty much a boy scout.




Gary

These recognition organizations reinforce everything bad about the martial arts. Regardless if the donate some money the end in no way justifies the means.

And as far as peoples relationships with Ed well. Let us just say that he was many things and one was a great businessman and promoter of the arts and just because he befriended and used people to his advantage does not always mean they were good at martial arts.

And as far as Bleecker goes he already challenged me to a fight right on this forum. So I think that speaks volumes about his maturity in kenpo. Now I can forgive him for other things he has done to me but there is a karma which at some point will abruptly come due.

I think though is good at his real job and would also make a great TV game show host. I also really envy his nice teeth.

Bob, don't you think, sticking up for ones self and challenging others at times is a good attitude?

I have been in communication with Tom for many years, he is very forth right, but he knows a lot of secrets and has not used them to his advantage.
His authorship has been varied and skilled. Tells it like it is, if asked.

I do notice a bias over the years, and I am sure that some politics are at play, but feel it is good for others later on to know, who, what, where, and when, (one location) have been regarded as worthy.

They can read the names here and then further research on the net now, researching all the various persons will show that many arts are involved, Kajukenbo being one of the early on arts, early nominations also.

Glad to see it is still part of a group, that are giving some time and money to a worthy cause also.

If one took time, to check all the names from 1999, they would gain a lot of insight.

There are some that are exclude, I have noticed, (politics as you mention)

Regards,
Gary

I understand that he is your friend and I can respect that.

But just know that he contrived against me and went into my personal life outside this forum. He tried to get me in trouble. How many times Gary have you heard me challenge anyone or threaten them? I mean look. Some guy calls a grandmaster to talk smack on me and also openly indicates he wants to fight me. I mean what position does that put me in?

But all that aside recognition in the martial arts should come from ability or technical contributions to the art and not whether you knew a few people and wrote some stories. I man of integrity would turn down the nomination actually.

So this has nothing to do with Bleecker being a nice guy or a good person or his history. It has to do with him basically openly wanting me to fight him as well as him acting like a tattle tale and a snitch by getting into my personal business.

The bottom line is that Bleecker tried to position himself above me and that would be OK if it was true. But lets remember that it is not who you knew that counts in this business.

You know that in prison the guys have a pretty good index on what life traits are the most reprehensible and they treat you accordingly. One of the worst things you can be is a SNITCH. It says a lot about your character and maturity.

Have a great day Gary

Why didn't you take him up on his challenge?

What makes you more qualified in Kenpo than him?

He began long before you and he trained directly under Mr. Parker - not to mention, he was the manager of one of the schools for a while (I believe it was the West LA school, but I could be wrong).

By the way, he is a 5th degree black belt under Mr. Pick - something that should never be taken lightly. Bleecker could easily be a tenth, but he has chosen not to go above 5th. Honestly, I am a 5th and I don't even rate with his experience, and I train and teach six days a week.

It seems you don't like him. Why not? Because he confronted you?

Don't let the sun catch you cryin'

I have well explained in my posts why he is distasteful to me. As far as fighting him, well I have better things to do than fly to CA. Really Mike.

And with all the rank talk and name dropping you are doing about Bleecker. Why not prove your point by showning some video of him fighting or punching even.

I am not saying you are wrong but you seen to be basing you admiration for him on all the wrong reasons.

And as far as me being better, well at least i am not a snitch and being a snitch is a charactor deficit. Generally advanced masters dont exibit behavior like that.

Look Mike,

He basically attacked me and tried to hurt me. So you see i am not the one that is the bad guy here.

And i began in 1971 so yeah he is older but there comes a point of equalization and it means nothing anyway. I really object to this faternalism in the arts. The whole rank, organization, banquet, who you know stuff is just nonsense.

Quote: Why not prove your point by showning some video of him fighting or punching even.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbwioKBYmco

Zoran Sevic
http://www.facebook.com/zoran.sevic
http://www.myspace.com/zoransevic
http://www.youtube.com/zoransevic

Looks pretty damn good to me. Now, Bob, post yourself doing finger set.

I liked it, very good movement, combo of whole body not just upper, nice view
Good one Tom, I'll have to watch that over and over.

I did not know Tom was in so deep with Mike Pick, I believe he sold his school to a Mike Pick man, though.

He mentions Chuck Sullivan quite a bit, man has good friends.

Regards,
Gary

Bleecker has much more authority with American Kenpo than most people realize. Yes, he sold his school to Gabe Fabella, who is under Mr. Pick and (I believe his top student). All I know is he is the real deal.

I am fully aware of your incident with Bleecker, and he didn't challenge you to a fight, nor did he snitch. He simply responded to your bashing his ability in Kenpo (although you'd never met him) by telling you that he would gladly step on the mat with you. You chose to see this as an all out physical fight, which is not what he was suggesting. As far as his "snitching," you call it snitching; we in Kenpo call it policing our own. You had for many years been bashing people on the KenpoNet. You always did so anonymously and hid from everyone, not even posting your email address. Bleecker finally got tired of it and contacted your instructor and told him that he should police his student (Bob Hanes) who was bashing seniors and elders in a public forum. Our 3rd Degree Brown belt pledge is clear that we discuss grievances in private, which is what Bleecker did - one Kenpo black belt to another Kenpo black belt. Our pledges are clear that we "discuss grievances," which isn't snitching.

Not even close. And everyone always knew my real name. It was common knowledge. In fact when I switched to the other name I announced I was going to do it. And It did not go like that at all Mike. I might have said something about one person. Bleecker started the entire thing and that is fact. He also was accused of sending e mails of serious concern to another. The other thing is that I don't and no school I ever went to taught the "pledges"..The pledges are just a bunch of nonsense made up to make things sound important.

Bleecker was abusive to me and inconsiderate.

The other thing is that I am not "one of your own".

And it was not one black belt to another..

Now as far as the video of Bleecker. You know I don't dissect people's videos. I have said that.
And it is never important because people that do that usually don't understand root concepts. Now the trend based on human nature would be for a person who had an argument with another to loose objectivity. So I am in that position. But you see one thing. I an honest and objective in karate so I won't let anger jade my opinion.

***Tom Bleecker shows a higher command of integration and ability than 95% of the people I have seen in American Kenpo. He is actually very mature in his movement. He is better than I thought he would be. I see mechanics differently but that is personal. So what I saw was very solid and very good. But I have no idea what kind of fighter he is and since he SNITCHED and did other things so I would have concern.***

So there you have it...

But as far as contributions to the martial arts I just cannot see it because to me contributions have to be within the dynamics of the art.

Thanks for the response.

"Tom Bleecker shows a higher command of integration and ability than 95% of the people I have seen on this forum. He is actually very mature in his movement. He is better than I thought he would be. I see mechanics differently but that is personal. So what I saw was very solid and very good. But I have no idea what kind of fighter he is and since he SNITCHED and did other things so I would have concern."

I agree. I have a pretty good idea that he is a good fighter.

You mention he is better than you thought he would be. Why did you assume he would be worse than that?

By the way, when are you going to post more vids? In all honesty I did enjoy many of them.

You also mentioned you see mechanics differently. What do you mean by that?

Michael Miller

Mike, if you are interested in true early kenpo and dynamics of the art, you should look at some of Bruce Juchnik videos, imho.

It really goes back to similarity and seeking who, what, where, and when, they were done, (various people from many countries copied etc.) changed to fit and continued on.

The eye is about the best thing, observation is where it is at.

Just ask judges who don't participate, but watch and give the final score if it goes to decision.

Many never threw a glove or hit a person in their whole life, but most/many have been instrumental in the various contests over time.

Many look for the same, exact perfect performance (katas) others are watching good contact.

Evasion is the supreme art imho, direct contact is always available, anyplace, anytime, depends on mental application, not hard to find in todays youth, gangs roam the street looking for victims daily.

We all evade if you look at it properly/honestly, many are fooling themselves to be honest.

LEO have daily contact with the hardest of criminals but most encounters are brought about without blood shed or contact (fights).

Over time the internet has come to be a better place to post and discuss, there was a time this board was nothing but bullies. Some seem to forget!?!

The evasion of arguement and working it out respectfully is shown in this whole thread.

Regards,
Gary

I can understand your feelings Bob, you have always been honest, I feel.

I know at times you are just jerking many around and showing your superior intellect.

Snitching, can be a real problem, especially in some groups, as you mention.

Many Kenpo oldsters, believe in self regulation, right? Why some Teachers have been told their students need some better guidence, some have shown bad tudes over the years

Tom will not post here (KN), maybe if you posted at Ted's site, San Jose Kenpo Karate.
Tom and you can talk and explain what happened?
No mud slinging just hash it out.

Maybe even let this misunderstanding go away.

Take care Bob,

Gary

Look I do not exactly get along with the man, we have gotten into it multiple times over the internet, but his accomplishments, and place in the Kenpo world are really not something I would question.
The man has been there from really early on, and it seems to me anyways has maintained a presence of one sort or another up to today. He has worked on Kenpo projects like the Journey Books... regardless what you think of them, and what you think of his motivations both books are well done, and put more Kenpo out there for everyone to see, read about, and learn about. I see him at functions very often, and I know he has taught seminars, even if I have not been to any of his seminars. My problems with Tom Bleecker have never been about Kenpo, but his political opinions clashing with mine... and to be honest my political opinions clash with almost everyone lol.
I think that list of people is a fine list to be inducted into the HOF. I congratulate him and everyone else for it.