In constant pursuit of his dream, Mr. Z has traveled the country, attending numerous seminars in search of additional knowledge of Isshinryu, not to better his rank, but to better his instructional abilities.  These seminars were hosted by such noted Masters as Robert White, Steve Armstrong, Kenneth Pittaway, Norbert Donnelly, William Pogue, Danny Bartley, Ramie Perez, Willie Adams and Tyrone Melton.  Mr. Z has also attended seminars through the National Association of Professional Martial Artists in Florida, Texas and Las Vegas, participating with karate greats such as Joe Lewis, Angi Uezu, A. J. Advincula, Don, “the dragon”, Wilson, Sherman Harrill, Bill “superfoot” Wallace, Stephen Hayes, Fumio Demura, Ernie Reyes Sr., and Jhoon Rhee among others.  Mr. Z has also served as the Educator for several seminars, most recently working with Master George Reynolds on the new Samurai Sport Sword program that has successfully found a notable place at Family Self Defense Center.

 

(Master Sherman Harrill / Ed "Mr. Z" Szelap / AJ Advincula)

 

 

     Now, some thirty years since his beginnings in karate, Mr. Z holds the rank of Renchi, and has realized his dream tenfold.  Family Self Defense Center currently has over 100 Isshinryu practitioners and more than 40 Samurai Sport Sword students, 80% of which are children and teens.  Mr. Z has also shown a special interest in working with the local Youth Assistance Programs, helping low income and disadvantaged youth as well as “challenged” students.  Mr. Z and his dojo sponsor several sports teams and youth activities in the community, and participate in countless City wide annual events, having the insight and versatility to perform kata and sword to musical choreography.  Over the years, Mr. Z has had the pleasure of awarding many juniors and adults their coveted Black Belts.  Countless numbers of FSDC students have also earned National recognition and have won local and National Championships.  Most notably though, his beloved school was recognized 5 times by the Isshinryu Hall of Fame as one of the top five dojos in the country, achieving a number one ranking in 2003. In 1993, 1994 and 1997 Mr. Z was chosen in the top five nationally for Male Instructors by the Isshinryu Hall of Fame, which also awarded him top honors for Isshinryu Spirit in 2002 and Contribution to Isshinryu in 2009.

 

 

     Mr. Z is thrilled to be considered a “Warrior” in the pursuit of passing on the knowledge of Isshinryu.  His goals remain unchanged: keep the dream of Tatsuo Shimabuku alive for many generations to come, and to unite all Isshinryu practitioners in this goal.

 

     "I am honored to be thought of as a “Warrior of Isshinryu”.  Like all the men that have come before me, I have competed in and won many local and national competitions.  I have received accolades and recognition from many of my contemporaries, and organizations such as the Isshinryu Hall of Fame, which I greatly respect.  But, the recognition that means the most to me are the notes, emails, letters and thanks that I have received from my students and their parents over the years.  The heartfelt gratitude is many times overwhelming.  One of my favorites is a poem composed by a 13 year old young man I taught for many years.  He lived with a multitude of family problems but found a home at Family Self Defense Center."

 

TRIBUTE TO MR. Z AND MS. CHRIS

 

From the shores of Okinawa and all inside,

Do the roots of Isshinryu surely reside.

Invented by a man, the name of Shimabuku,

Dragon boy, a wise man, more so than I or you.

Tatsuo trained very few the mightiest of men,

Then there came more that studied under them.

Eventually the art traveled over ocean and land,

Then it wound up in the American proverbial hand.

At some time Master R. L. White picked up the art,

He realized it wasn’t a one stop quickie-mart.

After that my Instructors jumped in to the mix,

They found that this style is literally for kicks.

They joined from experience to help themselves,

They worked the art very hard, into their minds it delves.

They liked the help it gave them; they wanted to help to teach,

They wanted to help all whom they saw, adult and child each.

Then one day I came and sat, no, actually I sobbed,

Because from troubles, home and abroad, my soul was being mobbed.

Afterwards, Instructor Z talked to me for a bit,

He said something like I shouldn’t come and simply just sit.

The next time class was scheduled; I came in and joined the pupils,

It was sort of like walking into darkness with dilated pupils.

I went, I learned, I slowly but steadily gained rank,

I pushed, I tried, and it was like money in the bank.

The Z’s succeeded where my parents had failed,

They gave me self-confidence, signed and mailed.

So this poem I write to Ms. Chris and Mr. Z,

As a gift to thank them for what they bestowed upon me.

Thank you very much!

 

     "This puts it all in perspective; the reason I teach, and the duty we have as Senseis to lead by example and live honorable lives.  We have a huge responsibility to our students, and to the people who entrust us with their loved ones and their lives.  I only hope that I will continue to live up to this challenge!"

 

Promotion Dates:

·   1988-1990 - Sho-Dan, Tae Kwon Do, Promoted by Ed Copley

·   1979 - Present - Isshinryu Instruction, Head Instructor: Robert White, Additional Instructors: Kenneth

 Pittaway, Willie Adams, Eugene Woods, John Nichols Sr., and Danny Bartley.

·   1993 - Sho-Dan, Isshinryu Karate, Promoted by Master White & the Okinawan Karate Club Board

·   1993 - Sho-Dan, Recognized by Grand Master Angi Uezu and in 1994 by Grand Master Kichiro

 Shimabuku

·   1996 - Ni-Dan, Promoted by Master White & the OKC Board

·   1996 - Ni-Dan, Recognized by Grand Master Angi Uezu and in 1997 by Grand Master Kichiro

 Shimabuku

·   1997 - San-Dan, Promoted by Master White and the OKC Board

·   1998 - San-Dan, Recognized by Master Tsuyoshi Uechi and in 1999 by by Grand Master Kichiro

 Shimabuku

·   1998 - Promoted to the Rank of Renchi, Promoted by Hanchi Fusei Kise and Master T. J. Edwards

·   2002 - Yon-Dan, Promoted by Master White and the OKC Board

 

(Master Robert White's Dojo)

 

 

Certifications:

·   Certified Instructor status earned through the American Council of Martial Arts

·   Certified and licensed Instructor status earned through the Cooper Institute

·   Certified Aerobic Cardio Karate Kick Box Instructor earned through the National Association of

 Martial Artists

 

 

Instructional Opportunities:

·   Three years instruction with Arthur Cavalla in Japanese Sword and Jukishin Jujitsu which has aided

 in the development of FSDC’s Samurai Sport Sword program

·   Two years instructions with Gary Torres in Tai-Chi combat and Kung-Fu.

 

 

Personal Information:

·   Born -1952

·   Married in 2004 to Chris, currently a San-Dan in Isshinryu Karate, and Co-Owner of FSDC

·   Father of 3 grown children: Crystal, Brandon and Ryan

·   Dojo Owner and Chief Instructor in Isshinryu Karate and Samurai Sport Sword

 

 

Family Self Defense Center

 

Ed, Mr. Z, Szelap email cheffgray@aol.com

Classes offered through Novi Parks Recreation and Cultural Services

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