Costa Mesa, CA (For Release) - SahyunNim Victor Teran, a 7th Dan Black Belt in Taekwon-Do, was inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame at the 20th Anniversary Awards Banquet at the Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa. The event featured Dr. Robert Goldman as Grandmaster of Ceremonies and action film star Sifu Cynthia Rothrock as Keynote Speaker. Following the induction ceremony, Master Teran spoke with Kumu Lua Michelle Manu, a Senior Black Belt and instructor in Hawai’ian Kaihewalu Lua, on the red carpet.
A combat veteran and trainer for the United States Marine Corps, Master Teran also spent more than a decade working for the U.S. State Department in the Diplomatic Security Service before returning home to open the International Taekwon Do Academy in New Jersey. His experiences teaching, especially with young children, inspired Teran to write the first of his three children’s books, Landon’s First Taekwon-Do Lesson. The book recounts the experiences of his own son at his first lesson.
The Masters Hall of Fame was founded in 1999 and is recognized as the premier Martial Arts event on the West Coast. The association recognizes exceptional Martial Arts Leaders and Legends through induction into the Masters Hall of Fame. Honorees are chosen for their dedication to and support of the martial arts and their work in the community.
For more information or to contact Master Teran, visit his website at internationaltkdacademy.com. Find more information on the Masters Hall of Fame at mastershalloffame.org.
Victor Teran and I having fun on the Red Carpet.
Special Thanks to Kumu Lua Michelle Manu for being our on camera talent. She has knowledge, appreciation and talent that goes beyond martial arts. Bringing great depth to the Red Carpet Marital Arts interview.
Master Thomas Boganski was simply a cool guy. He was an ambassador at Masters Hall of Fame and I recall him being a judge at a Martial Arts conference. He was never pretentious, never postured in an environment where that is commonplace.
"Master Thomas Boganski inspired you by seeing the greatness within you, your job was to live up to that vision." - David Kamatoy
Thank you for being in our lives Master Boganski.
Condolences, thoughts and prayers to Cassandra and Natasha, family and friends.
Sincerely,
David Kamatoy
Master Hall of Fame 2013
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(Press Release) The Masters Hall of Fame is saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected death of Sensei Thomas Boganski, a 10th Dan Black Belt in Taekwon-Do, at his home in Henderson, NV, on December 5. Sensei Boganski was a long-time Ambassador for the Masters Hall of Fame and was presented with a Life Achievement Award in 2007 in recognition of his many years in martial arts. Sensei Boganski also proudly served in the U.S. Air Force.
Recalling their many conversations after the birth of his own children, Sensei Carlage said, “The way he spoke about his two daughters and his two grandchildren made it clear to me how much he cherished each of them. He encouraged me to love my children and made me realize how much of a blessing they are in life. I am one of many who have benefited from Master Boganski's service and acts of kindness as a veteran, a teacher, a father and a friend. As a Catholic man and member of the Knights of Columbus, Master Boganski had very strong faith and he believed in the power of prayer. I pray for his family and for the immense loss of their father and grandfather.
Master Boganski's daughters Cassandra and Natasha have started a GoFundMe page to help with the expenses of his funeral and associated needs. According to the GoFundMe page, Sensei Boganski had no life insurance to put toward funeral expenses, and his daughters also must move all of his belongings out of his apartment. The funeral alone will run some $10,000 in order to give Sensei Boganski the memorial he deserves.
With the help and support of family and friends, Sensei Thomas Boganski will be laid to rest at noon on Friday, December 20 at the Veterans Memorial at 1900 Veterans Memorial Dr, Boulder City, NV, 89005. Preceding the interment there will be a Funeral Service at Davis Funeral Home located at 6200 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV, 89119 at 10:00 a.m.
For more information or to donate, visit the GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-fundraiser-for-thomas-boganski.
Congrats to these three incredible martial artists who over the years have inspired and taught generations the values and discipline of the martial arts.
Costa Mesa, CA (For Release) -Grandmaster Darryl Vidal, a 10th Degree Black Belt (Ju Dan) in Chinese Kenpo Karate, honored three members of his own dojo with induction into the Masters Hall of Fame at the 20th Anniversary Awards Banquet at the Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa. Hanshi Dan Cliff Belschner, and Shichidan Michael Gregson and Shichi Dan Jacqui Wendling joined the ranks of such martial arts luminaries as Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Cynthia “Lady Dragon” Rothrock and Dr. Robert Goldman.
“In order to be nominated and inducted [into the Masters Hall of Fame], we’re looking for twenty to thirty years of teaching and training experience,” explains Vidal in a red carpet interview he conducted with the inductees following the ceremony. In addition to experience, candidates are nominated for their work in and contributions to their communities.
Hanshi Dan Belschner is one such example of inspiration and contribution, having continued to teach following an accident that confined him to a wheelchair. “I think it made me a stronger teacher,” he tells Vidal, “to show those students you just need to overcome. You can rise.”
Shichi Dan Wendling, who has taught high school chemistry in addition to Kenpo, explains the similarities between the two endeavors, saying, “Once you have the basics, you can build off of the basics. And that’s where the confidence comes, the ability to think on your feet and respond to uncomfortable situations.”
The Masters Hall of Fame was founded in 1999 and is recognized as the premier Martial Arts event on the West Coast. The association recognizes exceptional Martial Arts Leaders and Legends through induction into the Masters Hall of Fame. Honorees are chosen for their dedication to and support of the martial arts and their work in the community. Find more information on the Masters Hall of Fame at mastershalloffame.org
Press release by Stephen Prendergast, Kamatoy Media Group
David Kamatoy inducted to the Masters Hall of Fame in 2013. Kamatoy Media Group has been working with Masters Hall of Fame for several years. Media and Red Carpet inquires please contact us via this website or KamatoyMediaGroup.com
Join the David Kamatoy circle of influence by clicking here. More MHOF videos can be found at our original Youtube channel Youtube.com/thejuggler.
Congratulations! to Jamie Cashion on continuing to serve the community as a first responder.
Fort Worth, TX (For Release) - Jamie Cashion, a fire department first responder and American Karate Grandmaster, was honored by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation during the 2019 Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk at the Shops at Clearfork in Fort Worth, TX, on Saturday, October 12. The event, which raised nearly $4000 to support the Foundation, honors the memory of New York City Firefighter Stephen Siller who lost his life while saving others during the tragedy of September 11, 2001.
In Siller’s memory, the Foundation honors the military and first responders who every day put their lives on the line for others. Since its inception, the Foundation has spent more than $100 million towards these efforts. The signature event, The Tunnel to Towers National Run, Walk, & Climb Series, honors the final steps of Sillers who, in full gear, ran through the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (formerly the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel) to reach the Twin Towers.
Cashion, who has served since his teens as a volunteer and reserve firefighter, EMR and Deputy Fire Marshall, was honored for his continued service to the public. His first major incident, during which he nearly lost his life, was a 1984 wildland fire near Crowley, TX, at age 16. Since then he has served in numerous natural disaster incidents, most notably the 2013 Granbury, TX, EF-4 tornado and Hurricane Harvey in 2017. He was also instrumental in raising funds to support firefighters following the 2013 fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.
In addition to his first responder efforts, Cashion has set a strong example in his life through both his martial arts success and his commitment to giving back to the community. He has worked with at-risk youth and underprivileged children in Texas and as far away as Costa Rica and Uganda. Cashion, who was promoted to 9th Degree Black Belt by Grandmaster Pat Burleson on April 21, 2018, has also dedicated more than three decades of his life to the martial arts as a student, teacher and advocate.
“There are many more worthy than I am to receive the award, but I am blessed and honored to receive it,” said Cashion. “This award recognizes those hurt in the line of duty who continue to serve. I continue to do this because I love to serve my community.”
To learn more about the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, visit tunnel2towers.org. For more information or to schedule an interview with first responder and American Karate Grandmaster Jamie Cashion, visit his website at www.jamiecashion.com. For media inquiries please contact KamatoyMediaGroup.com Click here to email.
Hollywood, CA (For Release) – The Masters Hall of Fame inducted Kancho John Chang, a 4th Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, at the 2015 Awards Banquet sponsored by Monster Energy on Saturday, June 6. The historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the site of the first Academy Awards ceremony, was the venue for this signature event. Martial arts actor T.J. Storm hosted the evening as Master of Ceremonies, and Martial Arts History Museum President Michael Matsuda presented the keynote address.
“This award is special for me because it acknowledges my years of hard work combining these different styles to form Chan Tai Do.” Kancho John Chang
Kancho Chang first studied Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Chin na and Kung Fu while a Chinese refugee in Malaysia, forced to leave Vietnam, after the Vietnam War. At the age of eight his family immigrated to the United States, where his father forbad his study of the martial arts in the fear that he might injure another child and possibly lead to the family’s deportation. To get around this, Kancho Chang became involved in grappling in junior and senior high school, joining the school wrestling teams. Unable to afford a four-year institution, he attended Foothill Junior College where he found a thriving Shotokan Karate group, eventually working his way up to 4th Degree Black Belt.
In 2003 Kancho Chang brought all of his martial arts experiences together to found Chang Tai Do, a martial arts form based on a mixture of Kung Fu, Karate, and the grappling methods of wrestling and Chin na. His Chang Tai Do group now holds classes in the Bay Area cities of Sunnyvale, Saratoga, Los Altos and Menlo Park.
“I am very honored to accept this award from the Masters Hall of Fame,” says Kancho Chang. “I would like to thank my family, especially my wife and daughter, for their support, dedication and patience. I would also like to thank Senseis Rick Roberts, Brian Keats and Gene Tibon for their mentoring and friendship. Thank you also to all the parents, students, friends and families that have made Chang Tai Do unique and special. There are no words to express how humbled and honored I have been for all their help.”
The Masters Hall of Fame was founded in 1999 and is recognized as one of the premier Martial Arts events on the West Coast. The association recognizes exceptional Martial Arts Leaders and Legends through induction into the Masters Hall of Fame. Honorees are chosen for their dedication to the martial arts and their work in the community, as well as their individual successes.
To learn more about Chang Tai Do, visit the website at http://changtaido.com. For more information on the Masters Hall of Fame, visit the website at http://www.mastershalloffame.org. For media information contact Kamatoy Media Group at 844-526-2869 (844-KAMATOY) or press@jugglemail.com.
Hollywood, CA (For Release) – Master Rafael Alderete, a 5th Degree Black Belt in Taekowndo WTF, was inducted into the martial arts Masters Hall of Fame at the 2015 Awards Banquet at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Saturday, June 6. Master Alderete has more than four decades of experience in a variety of martial arts, including Taekwondo, K.A.P.U. (Karate Puma), Brazilian Jiujitsu and Kapap. He is currently an instructor in Kapap at House of Champions in Van Nuys, CA, under Sensei Jacov Bresler and Grandmaster Moshee Galisko, and assists Grand Master Martin Ramirez with training and testing at Ramirez Twin Tigers Tae Kwon Do in Oxnard, CA.
“I want to thank Professor Jorge Cerezoli and Grandmaster Hugo Alberto Gomez Fernandez, who took me off the streets and put me onto the right path. Their guidance changed my life completely.” Master Rafael Alderete
A native of Rosario, Argentina, Master Alderete began his studies in the 1970s in K.A.P.U., a martial arts form developed in Argentina by Grandmaster Hugo Alberto Gomez Fernandez. This would be a turning point in his life, which up to then had been on what he admits was a wrong path. “I want to thank Professor Jorge Cerezoli and Grandmaster Hugo Alberto Gomez Fernandez, who took me off the streets and put me onto the right path.,” says Master Alderete. “Their guidance changed my life completely.”
With his induction into the Masters Hall of Fame, Master Alderete is now turning his sights back to Argentina, with plans to open a school in Rosario, Santa Fe. His goal is to give back to his community in recognition of the benefits he has received through the martial arts.
“There are a lot of youngsters over there that need help,” Master Alderete explains. “Because of the level of poverty, they don’t have the opportunity to be guided properly. I believe that by using the martial arts as a tool, I can help these youngsters. As a boy I grew up on the streets having a lot of problems. Now it’s time for me to bring what I have learned back to my own people.”
Master Alderete also hopes to take the ideals of the Masters Hall of Fame back to South America, to acknowledge the efforts of those already teaching. “I want to thank Chairman Daniel Hect and everyone else at the Masters Hall of Fame for the tremendous work they have done, particularly this year. I believe that such an event as this needs to take place in every country because there are many martial arts masters who are still unknown.”
The Masters Hall of Fame was founded in 1999 and is recognized as one of the premier Martial Arts events on the West Coast. The association recognizes exceptional Martial Arts Leaders and Legends through induction into the Masters Hall of Fame. Honorees are chosen for their dedication to the martial arts and their work in the community, as well as their individual successes.
To learn more about House of Champions, visit http://www.houseofchampions.com; learn more about Ramirez Twin Tigers Tae Kwon Do at http://www.ramireztkd.com/. For more information on the Masters Hall of Fame, visit the website at http://www.mastershalloffame.org. For media information contact Kamatoy Media Group at 8445262869 (844KAMATOY) or press@jugglemail.com.
Hollywood, CA (For Release) – Sifu Clark Tang, a Master in Wing Chun Kung Fu and disciple of the late Grandmaster Wong Long Ching, will be inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame at the Annual Banquet sponsored by Monster Energy on Saturday, June 6. The event takes place at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the site of the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929. The evening will be hosted by Master of Ceremonies and martial arts actor T.J. Storm. Michael Matsuda, the founder and president of the Martial Arts History Museum, will be the keynote speaker. Sifu Tang is the founder of Wing Chun Temple and chief instructor of the Wong Long Wing Chun Association.
“I believe learning martial arts is all about the path to discovering your own TAO, your way.” Sifu Clark Tang
Sifu Tang began his martial arts training informally at age 6, later taking formal training in kickboxing and American Kenpo under Grandmaster Ed Parker’s system. Although he also studied Lama Kenpo Karate with Lua integration, Tai Kwon Do and Tai Chi, he always wanted to learn Wing Chun Kung Fu, inspired by Master Ti Lung and Master Bruce Lee. Finally in 1993 he found a Wing Chung School under Chanh Wah Shun’s lineage and began attending three times each week under his first Wing Chun Sifu, Grandmaster Donald Fling.
Since that early training, Sifu Tang has had the honor to study with several other Wing Chung masters, including Sifu Jerry McKinley, and Sifu Franco Lung. His most important and influential teacher has been Sifu Grandmaster Wong Long Ching, the direct and first generation student of Grandmaster Ip Man. In early 2012, Sifu Tang opened Wing Chun Temple in Signal Hill, CA, to carry on the legacy of Grandmaster Wong Long Ching.
“I am honored to be inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame, and I would like to dedicate this award to my Sifu Grandmaster Wong Long Ching, whom I love and respect dearly,” says Sifu Tang. “I believe learning martial arts is all about the path to discovering your own TAO, your way. I am inspired by Master Bruce Lee’s quote: ‘Using no way as way, having no limitation as limitation.’”
The Masters Hall of Fame was founded in 1999 and is recognized as one of the premier Martial Arts events on the West Coast. The association recognizes exceptional Martial Arts Leaders and Legends through induction into the Masters Hall of Fame. Honorees are chosen for their dedication to the martial arts and their work in the community, as well as their individual successes.
To learn more about Wing Chun Temple, visit http://WingChunTemple.com. For more information on the Masters Hall of Fame, visit the website at http://www.mastershalloffame.org. For media information contact Kamatoy Media Group at 8445262869 (844KAMATOY) or press@jugglemail.com.
Hollywood, CA (For Release) – Master Rafael Alderete, a 5th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo WTF, will be inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame at the 2015 Awards Banquet sponsored by Monster Energy on Saturday, June 6. The event takes place at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the site of the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929. The event will be hosted by Master of Ceremonies and martial arts actor T.J. Storm. Michael Matsuda, the founder and president of the Martial Arts History Museum, will be the keynote speaker.
“I want to dedicate my life exclusively to the legacy of the martial arts and to helping people through my Christian beliefs.” Master Rafael Alderete
A native of Rosario, Argentina, Master Alderete began his martial arts studies in the 1970s under Professor Jorge Cerezoli in K.A.P.U. (Karate Puma), an Argentinean Martial Art founded by Grand Master and 10th Dan Hugo Alberto Gomez Fernandez. Master Alderete then began studying Taekwondo in military school in Buenos Aires, eventually graduating and joining the Special Forces Cobra Commando unit.
During and after his military career, Master Alderete competed around the world as an amateur fighter, also training and competing in kickboxing. In the 1980s he came to the United States and trained under several Taekwondo masters, including Masters Num Wang Kim, Jun Chong and Kwang Sam Kim.
Today Master Alderete trains in Kapap under Sensei Jacov Bresler and Grand Master Moshee Galisko. Master Alderete also trains in Brazilian Jiujitsu, under 3rd Degree Black Belt Professor Alberto Crane from Gracie Barra in Burbank, CA, and assists Grand Master Martin Ramirez with training and testing at Ramirez Twin Tigers Tae Kwon Do. He is currently working toward advanced certification as an instructor and plans to return to Argentina to open a training studio.
“Today I am fully involved in the martial arts,” says Master Alderete. “I want to dedicate my life exclusively to the legacy of the martial arts and to helping people through my Christian beliefs. I am honored to be a part of the Masters Hall of Fame, and I look forward to being a part of MHOF in Latin America.”
The Masters Hall of Fame was founded in 1999 and is recognized as one of the premier Martial Arts events on the West Coast. The association recognizes exceptional Martial Arts Leaders and Legends through induction into the Masters Hall of Fame. Honorees are chosen for their dedication to the martial arts and their work in the community, as well as their individual successes.
To learn more about Ramirez Twin Tigers Tae Kwon Do, visit http://www.ramireztkd.com/; learn more about Gracie Barra, Burbank at http://gbburbank.com/. For more information on the Masters Hall of Fame, visit the website at http://www.mastershalloffame.org. For media information contact Kamatoy Media Group at 8445262869 (844KAMATOY) or press@jugglemail.com.
Hollywood, CA (For Release) – The Masters Hall of Fame will induct Master Peter Chan (See How Chan), a practitioner of Hung Gar, at the 2015 Awards Banquet sponsored by Monster Energy on Saturday, June 6. The event will take place at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the site of the first Academy Awards ceremony. Martial arts actor T.J. Storm will host the evening as Master of Ceremonies, and Martial Arts History Museum President Michael Matsuda will present the keynote address.
"By receiving this award I hope to bring awareness to our bright future, the students of Shaolin Kung Fu Lion Dance Team.” Master Peter Chan
Master Chan began his studies in Hong Jia Quan and lion dancing at the age of 12, and recalls the hours of practice to perfect his art. “If you practice martial arts without total concentration, without making an effort, without correct practice, without attentiveness during practice, the Master can fling you or perhaps scold you,” he says. Master Chan is the third generation in lineage from martial arts master Lam Sai Wing; his direct Sifu is Grandmaster Dr. Chiu Chi Ling.
Along with his wife Amy Chan, Master Chan is the founder of Shaolin Kung Fu Lion Dance Team, based in the Chinatown section of Oakland, CA. Master Chan founded the company, a selffunded nonprofit, to teach traditional Chinese culture and Lion Dance techniques to a new generation for free. The training focuses on the martial spirit of saywuy and the qualities of politeness (luy), uprightness of mind (yee), honesty (lien) and sense of honor and respect (chih) in order to help students excel in life and become better individuals.
“I am humbled, honored, and at the same time excited to receive this Masters Hall of Fame award,” says Master Chan. “By receiving this award I hope to bring awareness to our bright future, the students of Shaolin Kung Fu Lion Dance Team.”
The Masters Hall of Fame was founded in 1999 and is recognized as one of the premier Martial Arts events on the West Coast. The association recognizes exceptional Martial Arts Leaders and Legends through induction into the Masters Hall of Fame. Honorees are chosen for their dedication to the martial arts and their work in the community, as well as their individual successes.
To learn more about Shaolin Kung Fu Lion Dance Team visit their website at http://shaolinliondance.weebly.com or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/shaolinliondance. For more information on the Masters Hall of Fame, visit the website at http://www.mastershalloffame.org. For media information contact Kamatoy Media Group at 8445262869 (844KAMATOY) or press@jugglemail.com.
Hollywood, CA (For Release) – Actress Gloria Hendry, who played James Bond love interest Rosie Carver opposite Roger Moore in Live and Let Die, will be inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame at the 2015 Awards Banquet sponsored by Monster Energy on Saturday, June 6. The event takes place at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, the site of the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929. The evening will be hosted by Master of Ceremonies and martial arts actor T.J. Storm, with Martial Arts History Museum founder and president Michael Matsuda as keynote speaker.
Ms. Hendry got her start in film in For Love of Ivy with Sidney Poitier after being discovered working at the Playboy Club in New York. She would go on to appear in several action-centered films, including Black Caesar with Fred Williamson and Black Belt Jones with martial arts legend Jim Kelly. When she took on the role of Rosie Carver in Live and Let Die she became the first African-American actress to play a character romantically involved with super spy James Bond.
Inspired by her movie roles, Ms. Hendry went on to study several martial arts. She learned American Kenpo from 9th Degree Black Belt Robert Wall, and Hapkido and Jiu Jitsu from Maha Guru Cliff Stewart. Ms. Hendry also studied ShorinJu Kenpo, ShorinRyu, Jiu Jitsu and Tang Soo Do with Senior Grandmaster Jerry Smith.
When Jim Kelly passed away in 2013, Ms. Hendry was invited to a memorial organized by Masters Hall of Fame alumni Eric “Lionman” O’Neil where she shared her thoughts about working with the great martial artist and actor. In an interview, she recalled Kelly’s support not only on the set but beyond as she continued to work in action films and television series. Ms. Hendry was nominated to the Masters Hall of Fame by actor and martial artist Robert Parham for her contributions to the martial arts in film and television.
The Masters Hall of Fame was founded in 1999 and is recognized as one of the premier Martial Arts events on the West Coast. The association recognizes exceptional Martial Arts Leaders and Legends through induction into the Masters Hall of Fame. Honorees are chosen for their dedication to the martial arts and their work in the community, as well as their individual successes.
For more information on the Masters Hall of Fame, visit the website at http://www.mastershalloffame.org. For media information contact Kamatoy Media Group at 8445262869 (844KAMATOY) or press@jugglemail.com.