November, 2002

Hello everyone,

Boy, time sure does fly when you're having fun. So much has taken place for us this year, and we still have December. Well for Inst. Nelson Pinto from Portugal and Inst. Chris Dudzik from Hollister, it was "mission accomplished", and what an awesome job they both did on their Black Sash test. Huge CONGRATULATIONS! It was made extra special by having so many FMS instructors on hand to make sure that the new candidates earned their Sashes. Even Inst. Sanchez flew into town from Denver to be on the Black Sash testing panel. Thank you once again Inst. Schleeter for coordinating yet another great test at your academy in Hollister. What an awesome time.

The Black Sash Ceremony took place on Sat, Nov 16th here in SF. It was such a wonderful experience. To make it also just a bit more special Inst. Saindon from Huntington Beach flew up to take part in the Black Sash Award Ceremony. You can see all of the main photos in our photo gallery images page under 23rd Black Sash Ceremony.

Right before the ceremony Inst. Pinto and Inst. King both taught great sessions at the SF-ATAMA fall seminar. Inst. Pinto did his "Combative Kickboxing - Trapping to Grappling Seminar" and Inst. King followed with "Combative Knife Fighting Seminar". Too much fun.

We recently had the pleasure of having Tim Gessler from Germany visiting for a couple of weeks. It worked out just perfect because he and Inst. Pinto got to know each other and basically spent most of their time together TRAINING. They both participated and assisted in seminars that we did here in San Francisco and in Huntington Beach. As a matter of fact, Inst. Saindon and Kathy insisted that they spend some time with them down in L.A., so, they did. It was a great combination of training and sightseeing down in southern California. They rented a car and explored the coast as they returned to San Francisco. What a great opportunity, and what a totally amazing experience.

And now Inst. Pinto has returned to Portugal where he is very anxious in returning to his students and start really working hard teaching Modern Farang Mu Sul®. This will be the first time that our art will be introduced to Portugal. We know that he is going to do great, and wish him and his students all the best......We're behind you 100% Sir!

( 01-Inst. Pinto, Inst. C. Dudzik and Black Sashes w KSN after Ceremony)
( 02-Inst. Pinto w KSN )
( 03- Tim Gessler-2nd from left, Inst. Pinto & SF Crew after good workout! )
( 04- Inst. Pinto learning M-16 w/ KSN coaching )

Other news:

Congratulations to Master Wachsmann and all of the German FMS group as they recently won several divisions of "The Euro-Cup" (a very large Martial Arts Tournament in Germany). There were competitors from various countries, including USA, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Switzerland, Moldavia, etc.

Wish Inst. King, Inst. Stenson and myself good luck as we take off to Puerto Rico again on Dec. 6th. We will be visiting the FMS-PR group for a great couple of seminars and I am slated to receive "International Grand Master of the Year" award from the Latin American Martial Arts Hall of Fame. What a great honor indeed.

More congratulations to Master Wachsmann on his latest magazine cover. It is "Fighters Magazin". Earlier this year, he has already graced the cover of the largest martial arts magazine in Europe (and probably in the world) called "Kampkunst" aka: Budo International and Cinturon Negro (it is published in 7 different languages).He was also named the "Martial Artist of the Year". Isn't that GREAT?!?!

Master Wachsmann has also been keeping very busy with his seminar schedule. Keep up the good work Sir!

Also, I have been told that the German FMS groups are planning a Expo/Seminar/Tournament for next year in April 2003. I will most definitely be there for that. So, all of you FMS students in Europe, let's all make a plan to see each other then.

Briefly, I'd like to thank Inst. Larry Saindon and Master Louis Kim for recently hosting an AWESOME 2 day seminar in Huntington Beach. It was lots of fun. We had Inst. Pinto do his famous "warm ups into kickboxing drills". I was fried! Then we worked on stand up to ground techniques (kickboxing-trapping-joint locks-take downs-grappling) as well as weapons (middle stick-staff-knife).

(pictured seated: Inst. John Merwin, Inst. Larry Saindon, Master Louis Kim, KSN, Inst. John Stenson, Inst. Nelson Pinto, Inst. Sean Merwin

Also, we recently had our usual fantastic time at "The Gathering". This time it was held in Chicago, and I not only did a 2 day seminar (working with all ranges of students from beginners, black belts to masters) but at the evening banquet we had a special awards ceremony and demos. Our demo was very well received. As a surprise, on behalf or our organization, I gave recognition awards to GM Cyrus(Chosun Kwon Bup), GM Timmerman (Kong Shin Bup), Master Stigall (Hapkido), and Master Gavin (Tae Kwon Do).

(pictured: GM Ian Cyrus, KSN, GM Rudy Timmerman, Master Randy Stigall, and Master Glenn Gavin)

I'd also like to congratulate the new Black Sashes in Arizona. They are Kevin Winslow and James Nation. Good job gentlemen, you have achieved what very few others have. Master Corona and Inst. Arteaga recently had their test and ceremony. I know that they have much to be proud and happy about. We share your celebration. Keep up the good work.

Lastly, we would all like to wish Master Wachsmann a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! We know that he is having a great time celebrating with all of the German students, so this is from all of the rest of us!

HARZLICHAN GLÜCKWUNSCH !!! ( I hope I spelled that right..)

(KSN-SF, Master De Alba-LA, Inst. King-SF, Inst. Leith-SF, Inst. Stenson-SF, Inst. Dehnert-LA, Inst. Saindon-LA, Inst. Smith-LA, Inst. Mehmar-LA, Inst. Schleeter-Hollister, Inst. B Dudzik-Hollister, Inst. C Dudzik-Hollister, Inst. Boyd-Hollister, Inst. Pantoja-Modesto, Inst. Knight-Spokane, Inst. A Spataro-NY, Inst. Hudson-NY, Inst. J Spataro-NY, Inst. Sanchez-Denver, Inst. Medina-Puerto Rico, Inst. Mague-Japan, Inst. Zervas-Greece, Inst. Furdyna-Wroclaw, Inst. Foik-Warsaw, Inst. Dorobeck-Wroclaw, Inst. Guszczynski-Wroclaw,Asst.Inst. Ratinzski-Lodz, Inst. Herrera-Miami, Inst. Staley-SF, Inst. Gumina-SF, Inst. Collup-Reno, Inst. Wagner-Ohio, Inst. Kinney-Ohio, Asst. Inst. Padovani-Italy, Inst.Pinto-Portugal, Master Bustamante-Argentina, Inst. V Garcia-Mexico, Inst. E Garcia-Mexico, Inst. Reyes-Mexico, Inst. Hernandez-Mexico, Inst. Talbot-Chicago, Inst. Nahon-NY, Inst. Gallo-NY, Inst. Cruicci-Venezuela...and all of the rest Modern Farang Mu Sul® family around the globe!)

OK, that's all for now, I'll be in touch,

With brotherhood,

Kuk Sa - De Alba

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