4th NISEI GOJU TOURNAMENT HYDERABAD AP, INDIA

This past May 25, 2010, Sensei Konda of Hyderabad AP, India hosted the 4th Nisei Goju Championship in Hyderabad, India. The tournament was held at the D. P, S. School of the city. We are proud of the work Sensei Konda, in spreading Nisei Goju in his country.
The tournament was well attended with members of the martial arts community. In the top photo we have two little girls after receiving their award. Little girl on the right is Sri Laxmiamshita, who only training for 6 month took 1st place in her kata division. The photo below shows Mahesh receiving his Kata Grand Championship Trophy. Click on photo to enlarge. Congratulations to all the winners.
We are all proud of you.

HANSHI FRANK RUIZ 1934-1995 15TH ANNIVERSARY

I would like to sent my respect to those who travel east and do the work of the Grand Architect of the Universe.

On this Father's Day I send a special greeting to all fathers who do the right thing by their families.

On this day in 1995 the martial arts world lost Hanshi Frank Ruiz 1934-1995, Founder of the Nisei Goju Ryu System. Here, we celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of his passing. We remember his life and contributions to the martial arts. He raised many children in the Martial Arts and I was one of them. I am very proud of that fact. I ask the martial arts world to have a moment of silence today and remember O'Sensei Frank Ruiz. He was a father to many of us.

I remember taking the above photo for the cover of Official Karate Magazine. It took a whole roll of film(32 photos) to take this photograph of Grand Master Frank Ruiz choking me. I remember the photographer, Joe Griffins telling Hanshi Ruiz , "Frank, your not making a mean enough face". That's when I said "All due respects, would you make a mean face, already". Remember the name, the man, the martial artist and the legend Frank Ruiz. Rest In Peace, O' Sensei Ruiz, you are missed by those of us you touched.

EDWIN J. RODRIGUEZ PROMOTED TO JUNIOR RENSHI

First, I would like to send my respects to those who travel east and do the work of the Grand Architect of the Universe.

CONGRATULATION!!!!!! Sensei Edwin J. Rodriguez on ascention to the rank and title Yo Dan Renshi (4th degree black belt).

Sensei Rodriguez born April 21, 1957 in Brooklyn, New York and raised on the East Villiage aka Lower East Side(Loisada). Affectionately known as Eddie to his friends, at the age of eight, started his martail arts training with Ho Hun Pon Academy of Self Defense in Chinatown,NYC. I recruited him into NISEI GOJU RYU, when I was teaching at the Madison - Hamilton House (circa 1970). I took him to the NISEI GOJU HEADQUARTERS to train with me and Grand Master Ruiz. Sensei Rodriguez also did some training with GM Ronald Morgan Taganashi (Founder: America Te) and GM Rex Lee (Founder: Lee Jitsu Ryu).

Sensei Rodriguez, a retired correction officer for the City of New York, is also a motorcycle enthusiast who is a member of the ENFORCER MOTORCYCLE CLUB. He will soon begin classes the Margate, Florida area.

Renshi Rodriguez, wear the new rank in good health. God keep you the palm of his hand and keep you working for your system, NISEI GOJU RYU and thank you for your support.

1st FEMALE BLACK FROM INDIA / NISEI GOJU ADVANCE CLASS 2/28

Congratulations to ANJURANI on receiving her black belt from her instructor, Sensei Konda from Hyderabad in Central India. Anjurani was born in Wanaparty near Hyderabad Andhra Pradesh, India. She is the 1st female Nisei Goju Black Belt in India. RIGHT ON!!! She will inspire many of the young students to do well. We are proud of the Nisei Goju group in India.
In Picture, Sensei Konda ties black belt on Anjurani,with her senior looking on.
Keep up the good work Anjurani. Empowering the women in the martial arts is an important thing. After all, without mothers(first teachers), there would never be grand masters.

Next Nisei Goju Ryu Advance Class will be held on Sunday, February 28, at the Nisei Goju Hombu Dojo in NYC. 1-4PM, Topics. Green belt katas, Ukemi(falling skills), and Knife defenses.
Please (212) 674 - 6477 to reserve your spot . Looking forward to seeing you here at the Headquarters of Nisei Goju Martial Arts.

U.O.T.S. PRESERVATION CAMPAIGN, JAN.14,2010

I would like to send my regards to those brothers and sisters who travel east and do the work of the Grand Architect of the Universe.

We at the University of the Streets and the Nisei Goju Martial Arts Systems are having a fund raiser on January 14, 2010 from 5:30 PM until ? for our continual survival in our service to the community.

The fund raiser will feature music performed by various jazz bands, fusion bands and vocalists. We will also have a silent auction of art work done by the member of the art community, as well as objects donated for the purpose raising funds. In addition to these, we will serve food and drinks. You can become a Patron, Sponsor, Friend, or if you desire to purchase individual tickets @ $25.
We here at the University of the Streets and the Nisei Goju Martial Arts are very proud of the work we have done in the community turning some lives around in our efforts to better their lives. We look forward to our continued work for the people of the lower east side, the East Villiage and NYC. With your help we will be able to reach a larger population with our message and also develop new programs. Looking forward to seeing you at the Preservation Campaign Fund Raiser.

You can also donate online through PAYPAL at our website: http://www.universityofthe streets.org

Happy Holidays from all of us at the University of the Streets and Nisei Goju Martial Arts.

Click on image to enlarge.

St Croix's New Nisei Goju Group

Before I start, I would like to send my best wishes to my brothers and sisters who travel east and do the work of the Grand Architect of the Universe.

After having discarded the BAD, I visited the U.S. Virgin Island of St Croix to, as they say, keep the GOOD. I left N.Y.C. at 8:55 AM and arrived on the Island about 6:00 PM. I was greeted, at the Airport, by second degree black belt, Sempai Maritza Rijos, the leader of New Nisei Goju Group in St. Croix. After settling in the place in which I stayed, we went right away to a public outdoor training area in Vialco Park.

While there for a couple hours, we reviewed the katas (forms) and kihon (Basic skills) not taught by the group's previous instructor. It's good to have a sincere representative, who is loyal to the system. Many masters say, in order to give life meaning you must do something that is greater than the yourself. We are very proud of the work she is doing to preserve the Nisei Goju Tradition set forth by its founder, the honorable Grand Master Frank Ruiz.

There, I taught a number of classes for the students. During these classes, not only did we review katas and the kihon, we went over class structure from warm up to cool down activities.
The class also cover ippon kumite(one step sparring exercises) and free style kumite(fighting). With two-two hour class in the morning and late afternoon on each of those days. The last class, we held on Sunday, lasted for about four hours with the review of the weekends work, as well as, review of some weapons(Bo, Sais, Katana) katas. Hope they enjoyed the feedback. I also got a chance to spar with some of the colored belts of the group, that was fun. I was also afforded the opportunity to watch Sempai Rijos work out that Saturday morning (7 to 10 AM), with the US Virgin Island's Olympic Tae Kwan Do under Coach Eugene Phipps, a competent Martial Artist and genuine person. To be part of any Olympic Team is an honor for the participant who represents their land in the games. Sempai Rijos: YOU GO GIRL!!!

All in all, I had a good trip and got a lot of work done.

May the Grand Architect of the Universe keep the New Nisei Group in the palm of his hand and keep them working, serving their community for Nisei Goju Ryu.

Photos Left to Right:

Sempai Maritza Rijos and Hanshi Roldan in front of the Nisei Battle Flag

Group Photo Left to Right:

Front row(kneeling) Clarissa Cotto, Shermaine Richmond, Makai O. James

Second row (on one knee)Richard Ince, Lyshaniz Ince, Micah J. Mims,

Robert A. Mims

Standing: Sempai Maritza Rijos and Hanshi Wilfredo Roldan

Missing In Action: Sheriffa Ahamad, Dionera Alibocas, Ariel Alibocas, Jasmine Meri Nieves, Javier Iram Edwards, and Vanessa Lynn Maldonado

Click on photo to enlarge.

Web Site Update - www.niseinyc.com

I would like to send my respect to all those brothers and sisters who travel East and do the work of the Grand Architect of the Universe.
I am reworking my website and waiting for some of the Nisei Goju Ryu members in good standing to send my their bios and photo.
All instructor who do not submit their dues for the year will be removed from the site. Once again, I would to thank all the members that are in good standing for their support.

The picture here is that of Senior Renshi Daniel Lemus and his Nisei Kids. By the way, Renshi Lemus is a member in good standing of the Nisei Goju Family. Thank you Renshi Lemus. Click on photo to enlarge.