American 10th Dan Chuck Merriman

MASTER CHUCK MERRIMAN 

"Celebrates A Life Time Achievement In Martial Arts"

America's Grand Ole Man of martial arts celebrated the promotion of 10th Dan on Saturday and Sunday May 16 and 17th 2016 in Phoenix Arizona with students, peers, friends and family.

If there has ever been anyone who deserved a promotion more then Sensei Chuck Merriman this karate ka of over fifty years doesn't know them.

He has done it all student, instructor, competitor (America's first unconditional kata Champion), coach of some of the best competitors in the world, team manager, promotor, and everything else in the martial arts you can imagine he has done it and always with class and dignity.

In attendance were names like Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Heilman, Marilyn Fierro, Nick Adler, Chad Merriman, Mr. and Mrs Mike Mancuso, Domingo Llanos, Jean Frenette, Debbie Rizzo, Kent Moyer, Caru Moyer, John Atkinson and so many more it was amazing all coming to show their deep respect and acknowledgement of this monumental milestone and life time of martial arts.

The seminars had about 60 attendees and they were feasting on the knowledge supplier by everyone from Jean Frenette, Domingo Llanos, Nick Adler, Chad Merriman, and Mike Mancuso.

Without a doubt it was a gathering of whose who in American martial arts. Emails and congratulatory messages were pouring in from people in the past names like Billy Blanks, Christine Rodriques, Isaac Florentine, Rony Kluger, and many other students and friends from around the world.

The highlight was an oral address that Sensei Merrimans wife Lill had written that had so many with a tear of respect and a tear of happiness mixed as she atoned his contributions over the years and it cumulated in him being presented with a Red Belt by his students.

Now lets see what is next for the Sensei of Sensei's and my personal friend, mentor and role model.

What an honor to just be in attendance.

Written By Don Warrener

Photos courtesy Mariyn Fierro and Kent Moyer.