OFFICIAL KARATE APRIL 1972 COVER

With all due respect, I would like to send greetings and salutations to those brothers and sisters who travel east and do the work of the GRAND ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE.

I got the magazine on ebay. It was a late day in May, that Grand Master Frank Ruiz and I shot the cover for the April 1972 Edition of OFFICIAL KARATE MAGAZINE. The photographer was Joe Griffin. His studio was on west 40th Street. I remember that day. It was raining that day and we got to the studio late and drenched from the rain. After having some coffee and something to eat, we got down to the business of the shoot. I was a young Shodan and very excited about doing the cover with my grand master. During the shoot the photographer decided to go with this photo. We used one roll of film, that 32 shots on the roll. Grand Master Ruiz had no facial expressions. Mr. Joe Griffin wanted the grand master to make a face expression for the shot. Joe said "Make a face, Frank". 32 shots were taken and I remember telling Sensei Ruiz "For gods sake, please make a face sensei". After all, getting slammed in the neck 32 times was no fun!! It was, to say the least an exhausting shoot. Proud to do the cover with then Sensei Ruiz, I will cherish that moment in martial arts history. For many years, I was the grand master's uki for many of his demonstrations. When we did our knife sequence, he would always insist that we use a live blade. That made it real, when most demonstrators did not use live blades. I cut the grand master twice during some of these performances. I would later be cut by one of my own students. As they say, the apple doesn't fall from the tree. This was old school training still being used at the NISEI GOJU RYU HOMBU DOJO. It very hard to train a good uki these days. Never the less, I enjoyed every minute we worked together. Rest in peace Grand Master Ruiz, we still work it in the same spirit and dedication. OSU!!!

Respectful Hands,

Hanshi W. Roldan

Nisei Goju Ryu

World Headquarters

NISEI GOJU RYU SEMINAR IN MIAMI

Sending respect to those brothers and sisters who travel east and do the work of the Grand Architect of the Universe!
On March 26, 2011, I will be doing a seminar in Miami. Hosted by Sensei Daniel Lemus of Nisei Goju Ryu and Hanshi Manny Saavedra
of Sansei Koryu Gojuryu Karate Organization. It will be an exciting event with many interesting people of the martial arts. I will also be doing an interview with the MARTAIL ARTS CHRONICLE documenting Nisei Goju Ryu and hopefully will be learning some new stuff myself. I look forward to meeting all the participants in Florida. Click on the flyer to enlarge, if you cannot read it. Any questions, please feel free to call me at (212) 674 - 6477

Respectful Hands,
Hanshi Roldan

GM ROLDAN AT THE BUSHOKAI IN TEXAS

I would like send respect to those who travel east and do the work of the Grand Architect of the Universe. On October 29, 2010, I left to the Dallas- Fortworth area of Texas. I was greeted by Shihan Ivan Lewis and taken to the city of Kennedale, home of the Busho Kai Organization. There, I did 4 mini seminars on Nisei Arnis Jitsu. Each session lasted about one and a half hours. I also attented a dojo demonstration and promotion ceremony. The workshops were divided by age and rank. I work with the children of the dojo as well as the adults. A great time was had by all who attended the work shops.
It was nice to see Shihan Lewis and his family of martial artists. It has been over fifteen years since my last visit. The family and Bushokai's growth in Texas was evident on my trip. A great group of black belt, students, and a wonderful dojo. Shihan Lewis's entire family is involved in the dojo in one way or another.
The demonstration and promotion ceremony was a great event with visiting grand masters, parents, students and the like. The students demonstrated syncronized katas, kihon and bunkai(applications). Then the promotion and awarding of the belts. Congratulations to all who were promoted. It was beautiful to see the growth of Shihan Lewis's family and his Bushokai System. Keep it going on, Shihan Lewis!!!!
Photos Above:
#1-Me and Shihan Lewis share a moment.
#2 Left to right: Master Dan McDonald(Super Kick Martial Arts), Sensei Sean McCann, Grand Master W. Roldan, Shodai John Hawk (Wado Shin ZenKai), Sensei Cynthia Lewis, Shihan Ivan Lewis, new Senior Renshi Susan Lewis-McCann, Hanshi Tom Sergent(Wado Shin Zen Kai), Sensei Rannie Ladner(Gulf Coast Shotokan).
Click on photo to enlarge.

NISEI GOJU RYU ON WPAT 930 AM RADIO

Friday, November 5, 2010, Hanshi W. Roldan did a radio broadcast on WPAT 930 AM Radio!! He was interview by Sensei Teddy Smith on his radio show. The TEDDY SMITH SHOW ON WPAT 930 AM and wpat930am.com. It was broadcasted live and used a call in format. Teddy Smith is a radio personality who is a 5th degree black belt in Judo(gentle way) and karate black belt. On the program were film director Bryan Felber, GM Wilfredo Roldan, and Dr. Arlen Fleisher M.D. open heart surgeon and vein specialist. Bryan Felber and Roldan have been working on some film projects together and both answer questions about the martial arts filming process and Roldan answered the martial arts questions that were posed by the listening public. DR. Fleisher answered question about the heart and the vascular system(arteries and veins). One lady called inquiring about breaking a cinder slab with her head and another caller asked how he could kill a man. Well, lots of wierd questions were answered. More calls came in after we left the studio and we were asked to make another appearance on the program. I am looking forward to the next broadcast. Photos 1: Roldan and Teddy Smith. Photo 2 Bryan Felber and Roldan with headphone, Click on photo to enlarge.

Grand Master Isaac Henry Passes

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

We of the Nisei Goju Family send our condolences to the family of Grand Master Isaac Henry Jr. I remember watching his group at karate tournaments back in the day. A championship crew, GM Henry troops were all respected by the martial arts community. He produced many champions of the arts. Grand Master Isaac Henry Jr. served his country in the military, was a police chief and founded the BKG martial arts system.

Grand Master Henry was one of the pioneer of the American Martial Arts Movement. Rest in Peace O'Sensei(great teacher) Henry, for you have taught many, the lessons of martial arts and life. You will be remembered by those lives you have touched. OSU!!!

Picture Above: Grand Master Isaac Henry and son Hanshi Fred S. Henry

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.