Costa Mesa, Calif. - (PRESS RELEASE) William Christopher Ford, head instructor at The Kaizen Dojo in Torrance, Calif., will be inducted into the Master Hall of Fame at the Thirteenth Annual Awards Banquet at the Orange County Hilton in Costa Mesa on Saturday, August 11, 2012. Sensei Ford, whose mother was born in Japan, is a 5th dan in Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate (Kobayashi Ryu) with nearly 40 years of experience in the martial arts. Sensei William Ford will receive the “Lifetime Achievement Award”.
Sensei Ford began his instructions in 1974, training under the late Sensei Richard Rabago, who passed away in May of this year. Sensei Ford also studied with Sensei Rabago’s mentor, Hanshi Tadashi Yamashita, earning his black belt and working his way through the levels to 5th dan. Both Sensei Rabago and Hanshi Yamashita were known for their martial arts training and for their film work, and Sensei Ford followed in their footsteps. In 1989 he appeared in Karate Kid III with Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, playing the part of Dennis, one of the Cobra Kai “bad boys.”
In honor of his mentor, Sensei Ford is dedicating the honor of induction into the Masters Hall of Fame to the memory of Sensei Rabago. In addition to instructing him in the martial arts, it was Sensei Rabago who suggested to Master Dan Sawyer that Sensei Ford be inducted.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to be inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame,” said Sensei Ford. “I wish to express my deep gratitude to the late Sensei Richard Rabago, who recommended me for inclusion in this prestigious organization before he passed away earlier this year.”
-Sensei William Christopher Ford, Lifetime Achievement Award 2012
Masters Hall of Fame, Recognizing Excellence in Martial Arts
Sensei Ford is proud to be a member of Kaizen Dojo, where he instructs in Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate. It is one of the major Okinawan martial arts and was founded in 1933 by Choshin Chibana. Karate was developed by a merging of Chinese kung-fu and Okinawan Ti (Di) and Shorin Ryu Karate emphasizes traditional forms, or kata, which combine blocking and offensive techniques.
Kaizen Dojo teaches this traditional martial art in a new and progressive way, through the introduction of arts such as Western boxing and Jiu-jitsu. This provides a unique and dynamic method of teaching the fundamentals. “Kaizen,” which is a Japanese word for “continual improvement,” is the foundation of the school’s philosophy.
In addition to teaching at Kaizen Dojo, Sensei Ford also performs at Pirates Dinner Adventure in Buena Park, Calif., in the role of “Cut-Throat Jack” the Red Pirate. In the choreographed fights in the show the actors perform many martial arts-influenced moves.
For more information about Kaizen Dojo, visit their website at http://www.kaizen-dojo.com/. For press information about the Masters Hall of Fame, please contact Kamatoy Media Group at 619-573-9456.
Masters Hall of Fame 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. This year's event features keynote speaker Kenpo Legend Bob White and Alumni Don “The Dragon” Wilson. This year's event is sponsored in part by Rising Sun Productions, Don “The Dragon” Wilsons Traditionz. For more information visit http://MastersHallofFame.org .
