Happy Birthday Grandmaster Frank Ruiz 1934-1995

Salutations to those who travel east and do the work of the Grand Architect of the Universe.

Grand Master Frank Ruiz, Founder of Nisei Goju Ryu, July 2, 1934 - June 20th 1995. He would have been 66 years today.

He was credited for having assembled some of the many karate champions of the era under one battle flag, the Nisei Goju Ryu Organization. Grand Master Ruiz's history in the martial arts is well documented.

I was a brown belt when I first met the grand master. I was taken to the Master Skipper Ingham's mid-town Dojo by Master Owen Watson (my 1st teacher). Grand Master Ruiz looked at me and asked Master Watson, "What's he doing here?". Master Watson said, " for disciplinning!". I thought OH! Sh*t and some other choice words. What the hell did I do? I never found out. As soon as I stepped on the floor, the grand master called me over to do kumite (sparring).

The next thing I knew, my face and head were between his foot and the floor. That was an awesome experience. Thanks for touching our lives and for giving us the memories.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAND MASTER RUIZ

Photo: Circa 1964- Martial arts demonstration on Staten Island, N.Y.C.

left to right: Grand Master Frank Ruiz and his first black belt, Master Carlos Serrano.

NISEI GOJU'S HALL OF SHAME INDUCTEE OF ST.CROIX

The year: August 1994 The magazine: Inside Kung Fu. I wrote a letter that was published in the Martial Arts Insider magazine.

The letter was titled "Hall of Fame or Shame". Reading the letter will give you a better idea of what I'm speaking of.
After corespondance from St. Croix, I received a phone call from a Joshua Espinal and made plans for him to visit the Nisei Goju Hombu Dojo to train in Nisei Goju system for only a week. I recognized his 2nd degree black belt rank. I had learn much later that he had already accepted a 5th degree black in karate and he was co-founder a martial art style called Kaze Senshi. After I googled the name, I found that the name came out of Manga. That's basically a Japanesse Anime (cartoon). I also found Japanesse lyrics from Kaze No Senshi (Song). What a way to name a martial art system. Awarding a young man such a rank was and still is a disservice to the Martial Arts. As for the so called masters who did the diservice, you know who you are, shame on you.

Last year I was approach by one of the grandmasters I knew in the US Virgin Islands, who told me that Mr. Espinal was wearing a fifth degree black belt and my insigner. The photo above shows Mr. Espinal in the middle wearing a Renshi 4th or 5th Dan rank (red and white belt) that I did not approve of. These kinds of ranks are held by older men and not young boys. That's right, in my humble opinion, he was and is still too young for such a rank.

In his desire to achieve notoriety in the martail arts, he has lied to the entire martial art community about his real affiliation with Nisei Goju. He has lied to the people of St Croix and as well as his own students.

This past year he came to New York realizing his error, he said he would rectify the situation. Another lie, as he never corrected his mistake to the public. It was during his last trip to New York City that I realized that he was an incompetent practitioner of the arts.

This past May, I visited his group in St. Croix and came realized again, that he was not doing the right thing for Nisei Goju and continued, after I left, to do the same. Doing the right thing was never in his plans.

I can honestly say that I made a mistake in recognizing him as a sensei in the art that I hold so dear. This past week I received another call from this impostor, saying "you no longer have a Nisei Goju Group in St Croix, thanks for your help".

I can only wonder what other untruths he has spoken about his life in the military, as well as the martial arts. So, he did not destroy the documents of his fantasy nor his renshi obi (5th Dan red and white belt) as he said he did. The best thing he did for Nisei Goju Ryu was to leave and restart his fantasy. I told him to build a reality and not a fantasy. He couldn't even do that right.

So, Espinal, all I can say is, you have disgraced the martial arts and "MAY THE FARCE BE WITH YOU"

Next Blog will be about the new Nisei Goju group in St. Croix

Click on images above to enlarge.

NISEI GOJU RYU ADVANCE CLASS JUNE 28,2009

Respects and best wishes to those who travel east and do the work of the Grand Architect of the Universe.
The next adanced class will held on Sunday, June 28, 2009 at the Hombu Dojo of the Nisei Goju Martial Arts Systems. Open to all martials artists with brown belt and above. Class cover falling skill, throwing tecniques, locks, and the practical application inherent in the goju katas. There will also be a question and answers session. So come and learn and share knowledge. For information call me at the Nisei Goju Ryu Martial Arts World Headquarters at 212 674 - 6477. Looking forward to seeing you there.

This weekend we'll be going to the NYC CHALLENGE INVITATIONAL in Brooklyn , New York. for information http://www.rullangojuryu.com/ and click on EVENTS.

Respectful Hands,
Hanshi Roldan

Photo: Hanshi Roldan applies choke on Brendan Burke

THE FLEX MASTERS / ADVANCED CLASS MAY 31ST

These guys in the pictures are my training buddies in the weight room of the hombu dojo of Nisei GoJu Ryu.

From left to right are:
Brian Duncan CEO BrionX International Partners in Public Relations, Myself, Actor and Restauranteur Micheal Wright, and
Sensei Luis Mercado 4th Dan Renshi Nisei Goju.

It good to have training buddies to work out with. We have a great time while we maintain our fitness levels.

The next NISEI GOJU RYU ADVANCED CLASS will be held at the Nisei Goju World Headquarters on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York. The workshop is open to members of the martial arts community ranking brown belt and above. For information please call 212 674- 6477. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

GOJU AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

I would like to send my respects to all my brothers who travel east. Remembering that dojos are the free mason organizations of the martial arts, we must remember our responsibilities to our service to society.

Last July, I retired from my teaching career and became an associate partner of BRI'ON'X - PARTNERS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERNATIONAL - "IT'S HOW THE WORD GETS OUT". For information please go to: www.myspace.com/brionx . Right now, BrionX is involve in a civil action against the City of Danbury, Connecticut and the Danbury Housing Authority for discriminatory tactics used against it tenants. http://www.newstimes.com/localnews/ci_11902639


I met with Hanshi Malanoski the morning of Thursday, March 12, 2009. He accompanied me to a protest in front of the Housing Authority of the City of Danbury, Connecticut. There we met with the Danbury People's Action Comittee for the Preservation For Public Housing and the CEO of Bri'On'X, Brian Duncan. In the spirit of justice, we at Bri'On'X, thank Hanshi Malanoski for standing up with us and the people of Danbury against injustice.

1ST NISEI GOJU RYU ADVANCE CLASS REPORT

This passed weekend I hosted the Nisei Goju Ryu System's Advance class for members of the martial arts community ranked brown belt and above. The class began with falling skills for safety. Than continued with the break down of the jujitsu inherent in the katas of the goju style.

Everyone had a wonderful time. Thanks to those who attended and hope you got something new to work on. It was nice to have Hanshi Steven "Iron Hands" Malanoski of Shobudo Goju Jitsu (the original) and Hanshi Kevin McGrath of Little Dojo in attendance. Others in attendance were Sensei Luis Mercado (NYC), Sensei Joshua Espinal and Sempai Maritza "Tiger Woman" Rijos From the United States Virgin Island of St Croix, Sempai Mark Muhammed (East Orange, New Jersey), Sempai Carl Marin (Brewster, New York), Evan Baker (NYC), Sensei John Garavuso (NYC), Brenden Burke (NYC), and John Santiago (Long Island).

These classes will be held every fourth sunday of the month. Brown belts and above from any martial arts style are welcomed.

Photos above:

Hanshi Roldan corrects Mark Muhammed as

Sensei Joshua Espinal looks on.

Hanshi Roldan strikes up a conversation with

Hanshi McGrath.

Group shot.

Hanshi Roldan corrects side falling technique.

Click on photos to enlarge.

NISEI GOJU RYU - ADVANCE CLASS COMMENCES

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Inauguration of our New Leader, in this moment of history, President Barack Hussain Obama. The time has come for all men to come to the aid of their country. God Bless America. A proud day for America to see the first American with African roots take the oath of the President of the United States of America. Stand tall America!

OH! YES WE DID.

In Celebrating the new president, we must all find common ground for our mutual growth and Unity. NISEI GOJU RYU is proud invite all to our monthly advanced classes in the ju jitsu applications of the goju katas and well as a well rounded stand up ju jitsu education.

The class will open to all members of the martial arts community with ranks Brown Belts and above. Class will happen on the fourth Sunday of each month, starting Sunday, February 22, 2009. It will begin at 1 pm and end at 4 pm. It will cover a wide range of skills, including basic throwing and falling techniques, joint locks, Etc. Representatives from the US Virgin Islands, India, and various locations in the United States will be in attendance.

For information please call the Nisei Goju Hombu Dojo anytime at 212- 674- 6477.

The photo above was taken, when I did the cover of the Official Karate Magazine's Year Book. The man with me is Sensei Moses Boone who resides in California. Sensei Boone was my dojo brother back in the day.

PS. Don't forget to call for information about the advanced classes.

Coming soon in the beginning of May, I will be hosting three hour bo staff seminar. Look for it in your email.