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The styles and martial arts organizations
that were represented at this exciting fete covered the gamut with the
respects to the Asian, Filipino, Polynesian and Pacific Island cultural
fighting traditions. Since Sid Campbell has written many books about these
various cultural styles it was only logical to have their presence felt at
this year’s event. The World Okinawan Shorin-ryu Karate-do and
Kobudo Association (WOSKKA) was the hosting organization and orchestrated
this year’s celebration. Mr. Joe Baca, the director and coordinator, said
that the theme was not only to honor Sid Campbell but also share in the
martial spirit for all of the special people and martial arts organizations
that had been an integral part of hanshi Campbell’s life as a professional
teacher. He then stated, “Sid Campbell was among the first
Americans to open a commercial Okinawan shorin-ryu dojo in the United States
and since then he has been a part of the Bay Area martial arts scenery ever
since1966. He has been instrumental in the growth and proliferation of karate
through his involvement as a tournament promoter, an actor in fighting genre
films, film producer, author, artist, founder of a major worldwide
organization and teacher (sensei) to over 20,000 and awarded over 850 black
belt ranks. As a result his endeavors he has shared portions of his knowledge
with almost fifty schools (dojo) that espouse the art he learned while
stationed in Okinawa in the US Navy during the Vietnam Conflict.” Baca then elaborated that, “Along his
martial arts journey Sid has been blessed to meet and exchange ideas with
many martial artists from all over the world and has never forgot a person
that he has met along the journey up the mountain.” Between overseeing the luau feat and attending to scheduling details,
Baca added, “When hanshi Campbell founding WOSKKA in
1996, he wanted to bring together martial artists from all styles and
traditions to form a common bond. That is perhaps one of the reasons that
this special night was so significant to him. It was more than to pay tribute
a pioneer but also acknowledge and honor all of the many friends and martial
arts greats that have had an enormous impact on his career as a professional
sensei.” Organizations like WorldBlackBelt.com, founded by grandmaster Bob Wall,
the World Martial Arts Grandmasters Association Hall of Fame, founded by
master Mark Gerry; Senkotiros International founded by grandmaster Max
Pallen, Sr., the West Coast World Martial Arts Association, co-founded by
masters Ernie Reyes, Sr. and Tony Thompson, Kajukenbo Self-defense Institute
co-founded by sijo Adriano Emperado, the Golden State Karate Association
founded by master Robin Taberna, The Kajukenbo Association of America (KAA)
founded by great grandmaster Charles Gaylord,
Modern Bok Fu Do Organization founded grandmaster Richard Lee, the
Sport Martial Arts Museum founded by professor Gary Lee, Affiliated Martial
Arts Promoters Association (AMAPA) as well as many other distinguished styles
that have been instrumental in shaping his philosophy and sharing in their
cultural traditions. Baca then emphasized that, “Sid feels that
he is who he is today as a result of all of his great martial arts comrades
that have shared their beliefs and opinions with him throughout the past four
decades. So, he wanted to honor them just as much as celebrate his own
accomplishments on that very special night.” And, from the camaraderie that was evident
that night it would be hard to disagree that he succeeded. Even perhaps
beyond his greatest expectations. |
