I wasn't really sure where this one belonged... 10th dan (danger Will Robinson, danger!), own style (warning, warning), the inability of the writer to spell "shotokan", the Hapkido-style uniform, the name dropping...
you decide....
http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/...ORTS/812080329
Ontario martial arts instructor joins exclusive fraternity
By JAMI KINTON • News Journal • December 8, 2008
ONTARIO -- There's only 10 in the country and 20 in the world -- and one is the master instructor of the Family Martial Arts Center in Ontario.
Victor Louis, 76, has taught at the center since 1983. On Saturday, the Youngstown resident was awarded his 10th Dan in the style of Hikado Karate-Do.
Louis received his official certificate from the Ateru Worldwide Association. He also received a limited edition diploma, an AWA board of directors citation and a lifetime membership to the AWA.
The center held a series of seminars over the weekend, which included teaching cane fighting and Shurite Kempo, and held a black belt testing.
Louis began taking karate in Tokyo about 60 years ago while he was in the marine corp.
"It came easy to me," he said. "I met a lot of great people and just enjoyed it. My wife, my daughter and my son are all black belts, too."
Louis said he still practices almost every day. He is also the master instructor at schools in New York, Pennsylvania and Kentucky, but spends the majority of his time in Ontario.
He developed his own style by mixing Sotokon and Aikido.
"I never thought I'd rank this high," he said. "I was satisfied at seven. I don't do it for the ranking. It's a way of life. The belts are not really what are important."
Louis said there was only one time when he used karate in real life.
"I was at a mall and I saw some guys harassing a girl and I told them if they were tough enough to meet me in the parking lot," he said. "But that was a long, long time ago, and the majority of the karate people you meet are nice people."
Louis said he enjoys the Mansfield area.
"There are a lot of screwballs in Youngstown," he said. "So I like to come here."
"There's only room for one 10th Dan," he said. "There won't be another 10th Dan here because he's our 10th."
Louis has trained with notable people like Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, and Grandmaster Robert Trias, the founder of the first Karate school.
"Karate teaches discipline, which is essential for life," he said.
Louis isn't certain how long he will continue to train.
"He's not gonna stop," Music said.
In a letter to Louis, chairman and AWA founder Kevin Huunjin Cullen said he was honored to award him his 10th Dan.
"I personally have known you some 20 years, and I cannot think of a person who has been more dedicated to the true essence and proliferation of the arts," he said in the letter. "Your students are a testament to your fine work and instruction ..."
Music said he is honored to have Louis at Family Martial Arts.
"He brings integrity to this place," he said. "Having a 10th Dan gives us all credibility."