Grandmaster James B. Toney, 10th Dan
Grandmaster Toney, the "Senior Member" of the High Dan Board, who serves as it's Chairman, was born in 1933. He, also, holds the distinction of being one of the original members of the old Southwest Karate Black Belt Association and Board of Directors of the original American Karate Black Belt Association. He was trained and employed as a research geologist working for various concerns, and is retired from his last position on the staff of the University of Texas at Arlington. He began his karate training in the early 1960's at the Texas Instruments Karate Club (TEXINS), which served as the flagship for the development of the Allen Steen Texas Karate Institute Empire. He earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in 1968.
"Mr. Toney", as he is both respectfully and affectionately known throughout the southwest by those who are both his seniors and juniors in age, is one of the most respected and admired teachers Allen Steen's Dallas area schools ever had. He has, probably, trained as many students who have attained black belt as almost any other teacher in the Dallas area, and many nationally and internationally rated fighters of the era call Mr. Toney their sensei. Most of these students have gone on to become Instructors or Karate School Owners and Head Instructors, carrying with them what Grandmaster Toney has taught and enfluenced in them, so it can be passed on and enjoyed by others.
Most of Mr. Toney's personal tournament career occurred in his late 30's and early 40's. Even at twice the age of the, many nationally ranked, fighters in the Dallas area, all would tell you that James Toney was far from being an "old man". Both Mr. Toney and the "tough Dallas cop" Ed Daniel, convinced many a competitor in the 60's and 70's, you can still be a top competitor, even after 40. He won the Lightweight Black Belt Division of Pat Burleson's Texas Open Karate Championship in 1969 at age 40; a feat unequaled by any other top-competitor to this day.
Mr. Toney, always one to consider himself a student, is forever willing to learn from anyone, anywhere, at any time. He has achieved Black Belt rankings in Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan, Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan, Okinawan Dai Ni Gojuryu, and Jujitsu. He was named Shihan for North America by the Kokusai Dai Ni Gojuryu Karate Kyokai. His newest love is weapons, and he asks and continues to study under anyone who is qualified to teach.
He was one of the most in demand self-defense instructors in the Dallas area for many years. While he is retired from regular teaching and competition, he is still in great demand for belt tests and consultation. You would be hard pressed to find someone more qualified, skilled or experienced at watching your technique and correcting problems. His poise and personal attitude of fairness and enthusiasm is a credit to the Martial Arts and all they stand for. The wisdom he has demonstrated throughout his distinguished martial arts career has earned him full respect from all who have the honor of knowing him.
James Toney has served as Vice-Chairman of the High Dan Board from 1989-96 and as Chairman of the High Dan Board since 1997.
In May of 2000, Grandmaster Toney was inducted into the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He is a true Texas and U.S. Karate Pioneer, and much of what made karate in the Southwest the toughest and fastest growing in the nation, can be attributed to James Toney and his students.
Grandmaster Thomas P. Muncy, Jr., 10th Dan
Grandmaster Muncy was elected to the HDB in April of 2000, shortly after qualifying by examination to join the Allen Steen line of Texas Blood and Guts Black Belts at the Rank of 6th Dan in Tae Kwon Do. He holds a 10th Dan in Torite Jutsu, 8th Dan in Okinawan Kempo, 5th Dan in Aikibudo, and 3rd Dan in Japanese Gojuryu Karate.
With Grandmaster Rick Moneymaker he serves as the head and co-founder of the Dragon Society International, an organization with over 9,000 members world wide, which researches and documents practice in the arts of pressure point fighting (Tuite and Kyusho Jutsu) as found hidden in kata based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Grandmaster Muncy, along with Grandmaster Moneymaker has authored two books on the subject, and over 40 video tapes.
He was elected to the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame as "Man of the Year" in 1990 and 1999. Elected to the International Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame. Received the honorary degree of Doctor of Martial Arts, given the 20th Anniversary National Leadership Award by the Society of Distinguished American High School Students in 1988, presented the Certificate for Outstanding Contribution in International Education and Understanding by the American Intercultural Student Exchange in1988, recipient of the John R. Kirk Honors Institute Certificate of Educational Merit from Northeast Missouri State University in 1990, listed in Who's Who In American Education from 1992-1993, listed in Marquis' "Who's Who In the South and Southwest", and featured in "Who's Who In Karate" (1983, 1984).
A retired High School principal, Grandmaster Muncy now tours both nationally and internationally giving seminars in Torite Jutsu (pressure point fighting), being one of the two most outstanding authoritities on the subject, and continues to teach in his and Grandmaster Moneymaker's Tori Karate Institute in Virginia.
Grandmaster Muncy serves the High Dan Board in the capacity
of an international ambassador both spreading and keeping contact with
the Associations foreign affiliates and members.
Grandmaster Keith D. Yates is recognized as one of the nation's leading authorities on the martial arts. He has written over three hundred magazine articles for numerous publications including "Sports and Fitness," " Black Belt Magazine," and "Inside Kung Fu." He has been a regular monthly columnist for "Inside Karate," "Inside TaeKwonDo," "Martial Arts Combat and Sports," and "Martial Arts Professional."
He contributed the chapter on karate for Prentice Hall's sixth edition of the Physical Education Handbook, a widely used text in colleges and universities. His book, the Complete Book of Tae Kwon Do Forms, is considered a classic reference text and is now in its fourteenth printing and is sold all over the world. Warrior Secrets: A Handbook of the Martial Arts, has been assigned reading in several college martial arts courses. Other books include Your Self-Defense Weapons, Just for Kicks: The Art of Fighting with Your Feet, Your Body: The Ultimate Lethal Weapon, Tae Kwon Do Basics and Tae Kwon Do for Kids. Grandmaster Yates also co-authoried the popular Complete Idiot's Guide to Tae Kwon Do.
His two-part article on Tae Kwon Do in America, appearing in both the "Fighter International," and "Inside Tae Kwon Do" magazine has become one of the most widely referenced historical accounts of this Korean martial art in the USA.
He has been featured in numerous articles in both martial arts publications and in the "secular" press such as the Sunday magazine supplement and the "High Profile" sections of the Dallas Morning News. Grandmaster Yates has been featured in television stories on both channel 5 (NBC) and Channel 8 (ABC) in the Dallas area and he has served as a guest on both cable TV and radio talk shows.
In 1991 he produced the video documentary, " A History of Korean Karate in America." This two-part video has received rave reviews in the martial arts publications and is distributed world-wide by the nation's largest martial arts supply company.
He was voted into the 1992 edition of "Who's Who in the South and Southwest", a honor that goes with his place in the Third Edition of "who's Who in American martial Arts." In 1997 Grandmaster Yates was in the first class of inductees into the Texas Martial arts Hall of Fame. In 1998 he was in the first class of the American Council on Martial Arts national instructor certification training program.
Starting his Tae Kwon Do (Korean Karate) training in 1965 at the age of 14, Grandmaster Yates became one of the youngest black belts in the country when he earned his rank at age 17 from former world champion Allen R. Steen, "the Father of Texas Karate." He soon established a reputation as one of the top kata (forms) practitioners in the Southwest. Grandmaster Yates also trained with a number of other famous karate masters, most notably Skipper Mullins, a perennial top ten fighter. After his own successful tournament career (winning the state championship in 1971) he embarked on a study of other martial arts. He has trained in several styles earning a 1st degree black belt in Japanese Ju-Jitsu and a 2nd degree black belt in Okinawan Kobudo (the art of ancient oriental weapons).
Grandmaster Yates began the first college "karate for credit" program in the southwest in 1972 at Southern Methodist University. He served as an adjunct professor at SMU for seven years in both the Physical Education and Communications Departments. Recognized as an outstanding instructor and innovator he is in frequent demand nationally as a seminar leader and teacher.
Grandmaster Yates is the Kwan Jang Nim (founder and headmaster) of the Nam Seo Kwan (School of the Southwest) martial arts system. He is also the founder and president ot the American Karate and Tae Kwon Do Organization (established in 1976), which is a Dantai affiliate (Organization member) of the American Karate Black Belt Association-Chin Sook Hage Kwan. Grandmaster Yates also serves on the Board of Directors of the Fellowship of Christian Martial Artists, and as the Southwest regional representative of the Gospel Martial Arts Union. He did his master's thesis at Dallas Theological Seminary on the "Spiritual Aspects of the Martial Arts."
Grandmaster Yates was a member of the original Southwest Karate Black Belt Association from it's earliest years. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the original American Karate Black Belt Association and was the designer of it's original red, white, and blue shield emblem from which the current emblem is derived. He created the original lineage chart of the Allen Steen Black Belt line which was published in Black Belt Magazine as "The House that Steen Built." It was this chart that inspired our current efforts to create a complete lineage chart of all Black Belts descending from Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee through Grandmaster Allen Steen.
It's been many years, and many miles, but the High Dan Board and the American Karate Black Belt Association-Chin Sook Hage Kwan is proud to again have such an accomplished member of the original Allen Steen class of Black Belts as a High Dan Board member and Dantai affiliate of the Association. Welcome Home Grandmaster Yates.
Grandmaster Royce Young, 10th
Dan
Grandmaster Young is another Texas Karate pioneer and serves the High Dan Board as its Vice-Chairman. He is one of the earliest students of the pioneer TEXINS karate club, begun by Allen Steen at the Texas Instruments plant in Dallas, Texas. He is, also, a Charter Member of the old Southwest Karate Black Belt Association and the original American Karate Black Belt Association.
Royce Young was born in Memphis, Texas on February 25, 1938. He was a Golden Gloves Champion when still in high school. While working at Texas Instruments, he attended the first karate demonstration Allen Steen gave there. He signed up for classes in the Texins gym. That was in 1964. Royce received his Black Belt in Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan from Mr. Steen in 1969. In 1970 he became the Chief Instructor of the TEXINS Karate Club and still teaches six classes a week there. It was from the roots of this legendary club that the Allen Steen Texas Karate Institute empire grew.
Grandmaster Young has placed in and won in many tournaments against some of the best competitors in fighting and forms. His self-defense demonstrations have been the highlight of numerous tournaments. He still competes and wins in the Seniors Divisions.
He has taught many state and national male and female champions in kata, point, and full-contact matches, with some rated multiple years as Regional and U.S. Top-Ten Black Belts; including a 4-years running U.S. Karate Championships 1st place winner. Several of his students have gone on to become karate school owners and teachers.
The TEXINS Karate Club is, now, one of the oldest continuously operating karate schools in the United States at the same location, as of 1999, for 36 years. Grandmaster Young holds the seniority on the board for the longest continuous tenure in teaching as Head Instructor of that club for 31+ years. Royce teaches martial arts full time at his TEXINS club and at special self defense courses offered through Texas Instruments and Dallas area public schools. His instruction ability is phenomenal, and he is in great demand as a teacher and demonstrator. He has been teaching Smart Defense seminars and Stranger Danger classes. Recently, he added kickboxing classes to his curriculum. In addition he has served the Association as Vice-Chairman of the High Dan Board since 1997. He is an inductee into the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame as part of the year 2000 induction class.
Grandmaster Young, unquestionably another U.S. and Texas Karate pioneer, continues to train some of the finest Black Belt practitioners and teachers in Texas at this unique and long tenured Karate Club. Grandmaster Young was promoted to 10th Dan in December of 2001 upon nomination from Grandmaster Allen Steen, Grandmaster James Toney, and Grandmaster Keith Yates, and by vote of the High Dan Board
Grandmaster David Grago, 10th Dan
Dr. David M. Grago, grew up in Central New York where he began his martial arts studies in Kodakan Judo at the age of 12. Master Grago began to train in the Chinese Boxing Art of Southern Shaolin Chuan Fa as a closed door student of Master Sam Wing at age 13 and opened the first Chinese Martial Arts Kwoon in Central New York in May of 1970. Dr. Grago attended college at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio and Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama.
It was in Ohio that Grago was introduced to Master Curtis Herrington. Curtis had returned from Texas where he had received permission from, Sensei Allan Steen to bring the AKKBA and AOK Rules to Ohio. Prior to this, most Northern Ohio martial artists were members of the USKA founded by Master Robert Trias. (or Trias International). Grago received his fourth Dan from his Ohio instructor Master Don Willis and was tested and approved by Master Herrington, Master E. Al Fuzy and Master Ken York through the AKBBA.
Grago had at that time become a tournament technique instructor for the Don Willis International Demo Team and was an active Team Member. Dr. Grago had competed on the tournament circuit for many years and was a staunch supporter of the Lakewood Judo and Karate Monthly Tournaments as well as a Board Member of the AOK (The Amateur Organization of Karate).
Master Grago continued advanced instruction in Chinese Martial Arts, his first love, with: Grandmaster Norman Pedelahore (Lung Shou Pai – Dragon Claw Family Style); Grandmaster Mok Poi On (Pao Fa Lien Wing Chun); Grandmaster WL John Ng (former Coach of the Peking Wu Shu Team – Wing Chun and Ng Family Style); and Grandmaster Andrew Tamper (Yee Chong International)
In the early 1980’s. Sifu Grago received permission from Grandmaster Leung Ting (of the Ving Tsun Kuen – Ip Man Wing Chun derivative) to develop his Art under the auspices of the Hong Kong International Chinese Martial Arts Federation. Grandmaster Leung Ting had made the personal introduction and recommendation to Grandmaster Mok Poi On, for Grago’s advanced study in a non-Ip Man style of Wing Chun Boxing. Sifu Grago established the Combined Wing Chun Association which was later accepted as a Group Member of the Chinese Kuoshu Worldwide Promotion Association by famous Grandmaster Chen Shou-Shan, President of the Kuoshu Worldwide, ROC, Taipei, Taiwan.
Over the years Dr. Grago has taught: Alabama State Police – Logistical Defense Course; New York State National Guard Hand to Hand Training; US Air Force Skilled Forces Combat Training; and Was the Head Martial Arts Instructor at both Walsh University and Spring Hill College. Dr. Grago is a Board Member of the World Congress of Amateur Athletes; The American Chinese Martial Arts Federation; The Universal Society of Black Belts; The Board of Cooperating Reference for Shiho-Karano Kai International under Dr. Clement Rieder; and Chairman of the International Chinese Boxing Association World-Wide.
In January of 2003 the International Chinese Boxing Association World-Wide became a dantai affiliate organization of the American Karate Black Belt Association - Chin Sook Hage Kwan. Dr. Grago was elected in February of 2003 to represent that organization on the High Dan Board.
Dr. Grago is a member and coach of the United States National Martial Arts Team. He competed in the America’s Cup International Meet in Caracas, Venezuela where he won the Gold Medal in Grandmaster Fighting in 2002.
Dr. Grago also competed in Forms and Fighting in the Grandmaster’s Division at the Goodwill Games in January of 2003 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where he won the Bronze Medal in both events.
Dr. Grago received his advanced Degree in Chinese Philosophy and Comparative Eastern Religions. As a former senior executive with IBM, Xerox and Andersen Consulting, Dr. Grago acts as an executive Business and IT Consultant to many of the Fortune 500 Corporations.
Sigung Grago resides in Plano, Texas with his wife Veronica and their children; Jami; Sean; David Jr.; Anthony and Gia.
Grandmaster Jenkins is, also, a Texas Karate Pioneer, a Charter Member of the old Southwest Karate Black Belt Association and original American Karate Black Belt Association, and is the senior member of the "High Dan Board" in total years in Dan grade ranking. He was born in 1942. Training, originally, in Shotokan Karate while in the U.S. Navy, he attained his black belt rank at 19 years of age in 1961. He now holds dan rankings in Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan, Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan, Ni-Gojuryu Karate, and Judo. On January 3rd, 1991 he was appointed a Shihan in North America by the Kokusai Dai Ni Gojuryu Karate Kyokai. He has studied in Aikido, Jujitsu, Bo, Sai, and Nunchaku.
Jenkins settled in Dallas, as manager of the Adam & Eve Health Resort, in late 1965 where he encountered a member and World Grand Champion, Allen R. Steen. Steen was just beginning to establish his Dallas area Texas Karate Institute schools. After a brief sparring session and extended discussion, Steen asked Jenkins to come and work with him as his business manager and to run the Texas Karate Institute Hillcrest school. Due to Allen Steen's, James Toney's, Fred Wren's, and Keith Yates's generous help (along with others), coupled with his former Shotokan training, Jenkins quickly adapted to the Texas Karate Institute methods.
Much of Jenkins' managerial skill and personal charisma went into what resulted in a very dynamic and rapid growth of Allen Steen's Dallas organization into a Texas-wide chain of successful and profitable schools. Richard Jenkins is a motivator. He can motivate people in their business and personal lives, and has been responsible for setting many people up in some very successful business ventures. He is always willing to unselfishly help anyone he can (even a competitor) in bettering themselves. There is a long list of those he's helped, including: Jack Hwang, Hee Deok Park, George Minshew, John Liles, etc.
After helping establish a firm foundation for Allen Steen's karate empire, Jenkins moved with Fred Wren and Mike Anderson to the center of the country where they opened and operated successful schools, the Black Belt Karate Association, in Oklahoma City and St. Louis. Jenkins later moved to Florida, with student Walt Bone, and established a highly successful chain of schools, the Florida Karate Academies.
Jenkins had a very respectable tournament career, especially considering the competition of his era. He placed in or won numerous regional and state titles, as well as, being a champion at Jack Hwang's All American Open, which was one of the key national tournaments. He is, also, a highly skilled teacher of martial arts, utilizing his instruction ability to motivate his students to be the very best they can be and to attain goals they would have thought to be impossible. He was awarded Instructor Of The Year-1988 by vote of the AKBBA membership and instruction staff. He can claim both national and state champions among his students. Many who have continued on to become Instructors and School Owners.
In May of 2004, Grandmaster Jenkins was inducted into the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame in ceremonies conducted in Waco, Texas.
Grandmaster Jenkins, now in his later fifties, resides in Houston as the owner and operator of the Orange Grove Water Company, which provides water utility to the North Houston community. He has never given up his willingness to share his experience and skill with anyone so desiring. He, also, served the AKBBA-CSHK as its Secretary and as the Secretary for the AKBBA-CSHK High Dan Board from 1986-2000. He currently serves as an Advisor and High Dan Board Member.
Charles Bouton serves as Executive Director of the American Karate Black Belt Association Chin Sook Hage Kwan. He began his training in a style which eventually became known as Dai Ni Gojuryu, but at the time he started was simply referred to by his sensei as "Tode". He developed an immediate love for the martial arts which has never left him. In addition to the Dai Ni Gojuryu system, which he today heads as president and headmaster of its international association, he trained in judo, aikido, jujitsu, batto-jutsu, iaido, aiki-jujitsu, and two styles of tae kwon do.
Bouton became associated with the Allen Steen group in the 1960's. The average karate student of the era was generally in his 20's, Bouton being from 5 to 10 years younger than his peer black belt group in the Dallas area, was generally considered a "kid", and not taken too seriously by the older generation who were active in tournament competition. But, two of Allen Steen's instructors, Richard Jenkins and James Toney took a shine to him, and took him under their wing in instructing him in Steen's brand of Texas Blood and Guts Tae Kwon Do Karate. Because of the time in which he came into the Southwest Karate Black Belt Association, Bouton had the opportunity to train under such Pioneers as Allen Steen, Pat Burleson, and Skipper Mullins, Royce Young, and Art Heller, as well as train and teach with the likes of Keith Yates, David Archer, Bob Potter, Billy Simmons, Fred Wren, Dennis Gotcher, Ronnie Cox, Dennis Cox, Demetrius Havanus, Jim Butin, and the many other fine stars of the Allen Steen / Pat Burleson stable from the 1960's and 70's.
Bouton, because of his early entry into martial arts, had a tournament career as a black belt that spanned two decades. He had wins in such national tournaments as the United States Karate Championships, the Central North American Karate Championships, Jack Hwang's All American Tae Kwon Do Open, and held a World Lightheavy Weight Full Contact Karate/Kickboxing title, undefeated, for three years. He also had nearly uncountable wins in numerous state and regional tournaments. Bouton taught for a good number of years in Allen Steen's Lubbock school, while continuing to practice and teach the Dai Ni Gojuryu System in both, his own school in Plainview, Texas, and in a club located at a local Lubbock television station. Almost all of his Dai Ni Gojuryu students, also, became students at Steen's Lubbock school, and a good number of Steen's Lubbock school students became Dai Ni Gojuryu students. Thus, began a marriage of the two systems.
After Steen began negotiations to sell the Lubbock Texas Karate Institute school to the local program director, who was a brown belt, Andy White and Bouton (who were teachers in the school) didn't agree with the ideas of the new potential owner. They broke away and opened their own school, known as the American Ni-Goju Karate Association, and the now combined styles were for the first time offered to the public as a single unified system.
Bouton later owned and operated schools in Clarksville, Texas, and founded "Lubbock Karate" in Lubbock, Texas, which is now owned and operated by Bouton's senior student, John Liles.
Bouton, also known as Father Photius Bouton, is also an Ordained Greek Orthodox Priest. Since opening his Lubbock Karate School, operating it very successfully for many years, and promoting many fine Black Belts, his usual religious vocation called more and more demandingly, and he the sold Lubbock Karate School to his Senior Student, John Liles, 6th Dan, and has recently relocated to his new Parish responsibilities in Amarillo, Texas.
Charles Bouton also is senior member of the board in total years of martial arts training having trained a bit over 49 years in the Dai Ni Gojuryu karate system and holding black belt ranking slightly over 43 years.
He served as High Dan Board Chairman from 1981-1997 and as Executive Director of the Association since 1981. Bouton was inducted into the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame in May of 2000.
Bouton wears many hats. He is, forever busy traveling to give a test in some city, attending a Martial Arts seminar, teaching a Karate, Aikido, Aikijitsu, Batto Jutsu, Judo, Jujitsu, or Tuite and Kyusho Jutsu seminar, attending to the managerial duties of the Association and High Dan Board, bringing and keeping us all together. Giving of himself best describes Charles G. Bouton.
Grandmaster Rick Moneymaker, 9th Dan
Grandmaster Rick Moneymaker was elected to the High Dan Board in April of 2000. He obtained the rank of 6th Dan in the Allen Steen style of tough Texas Blood and Guts Tae Kwon Do by examination in March of 2000. He holds the rank of 9th dan in Torite Jutsu, 8th Dan in Okinawan Kempo, 5th Dan in Isshinryu, 5th Dan Aikibudo, and 2nd dan in Japanese Gojuryu Karate.
Grandmaster Moneymaker, along with Grandmaster Tom Muncy, is co-founder of the Dragon Society International which has over 9000 members world wide. The organization conducts research into and develops practice in Tuite and Kyusho Jutsu (pressure point fighting). Grandmaster Moneymaker was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 1999, Awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Martial Arts, has been featured 3 times in "Who's Who in the Martial Arts", has been inducted into the International Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame, has appeared on the cover of two international martial arts magazines, appeared 5 times in national martial arts magazines and 9 times in international martial arts magazines, co-authored two books on tuite and kyusho jutsu, produced over 50 videos on the same topic, and has traveled throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and 8 foreign countries giving seminars in his Torite Jutsu pressure point fighting system.
As one of the two formost authorities on the application of Traditional Chinese Medicine to pressure point fighting as found in the Martial arts, Grandmaster Moneymaker is in constant national and international demand for teaching and seminars. He resides in Stuart's Draft, Virginia where in his rare off time he continues to teach with his partner Grandmaster Tom Muncy in their Tori Karate Institute.
Grandmaster Moneymaker serves the HDB as an international ambassador keeping in touch with our international affiliates and members as well as developing new AKBBA-CSHK programs world wide.
Grandmaster Tim Vought is a first generation student of AKBBA co-founder Ed Daniel. Master Vought is Mr. Daniel's senior student. He is acknowledged as founder and chief instructor of the art of Shorin Aiki Budo by four international martial arts organizations, and is a 9th degree Black Belt with 45 + years experience. He began practicing martial arts in 1959, while a student at Louisiana State University. He is recognized as Shihan (Master Instructor) by two international martial arts organizations and holds black belt rankings in Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate, in Shorin Aiki Budo and in Aikido, and has extensive training in Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Oriental Weapons and Kickboxing.
A retired Dallas police officer, Vought, Sensei was the 1972 National Police Olympics Karate Champion. In 1974, he co-founded the Texas Police Athletic Federation, an organization dedicated to promoting athletics and comradery among law enforcement personnel. The TPAF hosted the 1998 World Police Games, which were held in Dallas, with over 3,600 contestants representing five nations. Sensei Vought served as Head Official for the Karate competition.
In association with his instructor, he co-authored "Common Sense Self Defense" in 1967 and has authored a book on Police Arrest and Control Tactics. He has developed street combat and survival tactics training programs for law enforcement agencies and was Head Defensive Tactics Instructor for the Dallas Police Department.
Vought, Sensei has also been a licensed Private Investigator, licensed Personal Protection Officer, and is currently an NRA certified Firearms Instructor.
As a licensed Lay Reader and Chalice Bearer, Vought, Sensei remains active in his church and extends his lay ministry both into his secular and martial arts life.
He remains the eternal student and continues to teach traditional martial arts classes as well as those which are specific to the needs of the law enforcement community, operating under his Texas corporate name "Aikido and Karate of Carrollton, Inc."
Vought, Sensei is truly a Texas martial arts pioneer. In recognition of this he was inducted into the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame in May of 2000.
Master Selby inherited his love for the martial arts from his father, Prentiss Selby, an ex-navy lieutenant commander and collegiate boxing champion. At age three, Steve got his first boxing gloves. But, it wasn't until his teens that he discovered Allen Steen's Texas Karate Institute. He began his karate training in 1974 as a 14 year old teenager under the late Ronnie Cox, TKI Instructor, and one of the toughest competitors in the U.S. during the late 1960's and early 1970's.
Steve Selby earned his first-degree Black Belt from Allen Steen in 1978. He was a stable mate of U.S. Champion, Tim Kirby, and both were dynamic and successful competitors in the late 70's and early 80's. Following his instructor, Ronnie Cox's unfortunate death, Selby continued his training with kickboxing pioneer, Demetrius "Greek" Havanas, and world champion, Raymond McCallum. However, his lifelong goal of becoming a world champion, in his own right, was shattered in 1981 when he sustained a near fatal basal skull fracture. Despite doctors' poor prognosis for recovery, Selby, remarkably, rehabilitated himself to regain most all his previous abilities.
Stephen Selby founded the Dallas Karate Academy in North Dallas in 1986, which has grown into one of the nation's finest martial arts academies. The school was renamed Premier Martial Arts - Dallas in 2005. The school's unique concept incorporates serious training in kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu in a professional environment. His system includes formal training in Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan, Modern Arnis, Small-circle Jiu Jitsu, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Selby, also, offers Kickbox Aerobics, a program that he developed along with long-time friend, Steven Doss. The two were the first in Texas to incorporate this into their schools.
He has trained with jujitsu great Wally Jay, as well as other top jujitsu instructors. Considering himself as always a student, Selby continues to learn by promoting training camps with the world's finest instructors, such as Professor Wally Jay, Grandmaster Remy Presas, and Rorian and Royce Gracie. The camps attract martial artists to Dallas from as far away as Australia, Germany and India. Selby, now in his early 40's, concentrates his focus on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by training regularly with world champion, Carlos Machado, and Filipino Modern Arnis as a personal student under Grandmaster Remy Presas.
His era marks the beginning of the "second generation" of the Texas "Rough and Tough" karate style, and he maintains the same very high standards in his own school. His Black Belt examination is a tough one, requiring two weeks to complete. Like all of his excellent instructors, he accepts nothing less than perfection. To maintain high standards and respect for the arts, Selby requires that Grandmaster James Toney, Grandmaster Royce Young, and other High Dan Board members sit in on all black belt exams.
Master Selby joined the High Dan Board as its Tournament Director in October of 1996, and presently holds the rank of 7th Dan in Korean Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan, Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan, and Okinawan Dai Ni-Gojuryu, as well as, a 3rd degree in Filipino Modern Arnis.
Master Stephen Selby continues to be a mover and shaker in the Dallas area martial arts scene, and we are honored to serve with him on the High Dan Board. The future is in the hands of the newcomers. Thus, we must choose well, and thus, we have.
Master Smith was elected to the High Dan Board in 1997.
Robert Smith was born September 28, 1958 in Heidelberg, Germany (an Army Brat), and began his martial arts training in 1974 at age 16. He was promoted to first-degree Black Belt in 1982 by the American Karate Association. His first style is Taekwondo Chung Do Kwan. Master Smith, also, holds a 6th Dan Grade Ranking in Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan. He taught at the local American Karate Association school from 1982-1988, when he opened his school, Tiger's Den Martial Arts in Bryan/College Station, Texas.
Master Smith is employed in Bryan/College Station, Texas as a police officer, and serves as Minister of his church. He is, also, very active in his community with the training, welfare, and assistance for needy juveniles.
He has studied Tae Kwon Do under numerous instructors, including: Terry Lee Bryan, 5th Dan of the American Karate Association and Phillip Plumber, 5th Dan of the American Modified Karate Association. He received his his 5th dan from AKBBA-CSHK High Dan Board Members Richard Jenkins and Charles Bouton and later earned his 6th and 7th Dan Grades from the AKBBA-CSHK.
He, also, has studied Pressure Point Defense Tactics at the Texas State Department of Public Safety Academy and teaches, is a State Certified Instructor in several areas of Police Officer Defensive Tactics, and Law Officer Street Survival. He is highly proficient in gun, knife, club, grappling, and Tonfa self-defense tactics, and is an AKBBA-CSHK Certified Master Teacher.
Retired from competition since 1992, his tournament carrier was distinguished with numerous 1st, 2nd and 3rd place wins, as well as, Grand Champion honours. Master Smith's competition awards were earned in the Black Belt Heavyweight Fighting Division including: Houston's Karate Olympics, Austin's Capitol City Martial Arts Open Karate Championships, Houston's Open Tae Kwon Do Championship, Houston's Southwest Texas Karate Championships, Texas Karate Showdown, etc.
Robert Smith has promoted many fine and talented Black Belts. His students are highly dedicated, strong, and capable in their proficiency. Their fighting and forms are, equally, proficient at all ages and genders. But, the most outstanding and evident attribute his students possess (other than their ability) are their shining respectful attitudes, dedication, and spirit. A true reflection of the Master Teacher's touch.
His school, Tiger Den Martial Arts, located in Bryan/College Station, Texas, offers a wide range of instruction in Tae Kwon Do and self defense tactics. He brings to the High Dan Board and the AKBBA Members many years of experience as a teacher, practitioner, competitor, and promoter, as well as, his unique background experience in law enforcement.
Master Smith carries a large portion of the future
of traditionally strong martial arts and that of the AKBBA-CSHK firmly
upon his shoulders. The mantle shall be aptly passed to this young and
strong man. His service is welcomed and has been executed with a maturity
and dedication deserving of his stature on The Board.
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