Welcome to Modern Farang Mu Sul

With the Christmas holidays just around the corner, I hope everyone has been good this year. One thing is for sure, and that is the FMS activities around the globe just keep on going. This has truly been another banner year for FMS. Here are some updates:

FMS - WHQ: Time sure flies when you're having fun. Especially when you are married. Justine and I have happily celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary. We had an amazing day together capped off by a splendid dinner at the newly renovated San Francisco landmark restaurant: The Cliff House. It is absolutely beautiful with even more spectacular views than before. If you have the chance, we recommend making it a destination stop.

More great news: We are very happy here at WHQ to welcome Asst. Inst. Markus Hohne to San Francisco. For those not in the know, he is a student of Master Klaus Wachsmann, and runs FMS clubs in Winterberg, and Fredeburg, Germany. We have been taking full advantage of LOTS of training, and sightseeing. This is such a fabulous opportunity.

1- KSN w/ Asst. Inst. Höhne at Twin Peaks- 2- Master Schleeter w/ Asst. Inst. Höhne under the Golden Gate Bridge

Along those lines, Inst. Chris Mague was recently visited by his brother in-law Takeshi Sasaki from Japan. He is a great martial artist, professional MMA fighter, and the nicest, most humble person you could meet. We had some great exchanges here at WHQ, with some real fun kick boxing to grappling classes, capped off with some free sparring / grappling sessions. We are very happy to have had this opportunity, and to have made such a strong bond with him. We look forward to his next visit.

More visitors to WHQ: Most of the East Coast Crew made the trip out West again, as well as Inst. Chris Knight from Spokane, WA. This time it was for Master Schleeter's Faultline Warrior Classic. Some came out a little early in order to spend some quality time here at WHQ. We got some good training and some fun too. We had a couple great classes with a focus on sparring, NHB and ground fighting. We also squeezed in a quick trip to one of our haunts: Zeitgeist.

FMS Hollister: And now that the inaugural Faultline Warrior Classic martial arts tournament is part of the history books, the main impression is that it was a total and complete SUCCESS. The Black Belt Camp in the Hollister dojang on Sunday was THE BEST! What an utterly amazing experience. Following in the steps of Warrior Quest, this tournament had all the same divisions and a couple new ones, as well as the same warm feelings. Super special was the addition of the ULTIMATE WARRIOR Belt. This is a beautiful champion belt awarded to the top male and female black belts that earned the most points during the days competition. A point system was structured for competing. 10 points for a 1st place win, 7 points for 2nd place, 5 points for 3rd place, and 1 point for entering in any division. The one with the highest total at the end of the day was awarded the Ultimate Warrior Belt. I'll let Master Schleeter tell you who won. So many FMS members from all over made the trek to Hollister to support Master Schleeter. Instead of me retelling the story, here is what Master Schleeter had to say to everyone later:

Farang Everyone!

Thank you so much for helping to make our first tournament in Hollister a successful one! I can't express how much I feel indebted to those who traveled to get here and then shared their time and talents at the tournament. I was so proud to be part of this great Farang Mu Sul® organization. I owe you big time (as my high school students would say)!

Kuk Sa Nim: you're the best! Is there anything you can't do? Master Dehnert: Congrats on your master's title (much deserved) and thanks for making that extra effort to fly all over the place to get here on Saturday. It wouldn't have been the same without you. Inst. King: You're the King! If ever there was a job made for you, it's Field General with a clipboard. You were awesome; moreover, yes, I'm aware that expensive alcohol will be required to square us up. Grand Master Ruby Navarro: Wow! You were incredible. Great form for the demo and thanks for an amazing day of judging; it's funny how many large black belt men backed down from you throughout the day. I look forward to your tournament Saturday, Ma'am. Instructors Leith and Dudzik: You kept things rolling all day. People kept coming through that door to register (thank goodness) and you handled it like the pros that you are; it couldn't have been a fun job and I definitely owe you both...HUGE! Love you guys! Long Island Crew: There's nothing I wouldn't do for you guys...period! You're the cream of the crop! Mr. Gibson: I'm gonna let people keep believing that I taught you to hit like that. That poor son-of-a-gun needed help carrying his trophy home because his whole upper body wasn't working so well. I'm proud of you like always. Reggie: So glad you made it, my grandson!

1- Inst. Knight performs Farang Sang Son Jang Gum Hyung - 2- Inst. Stenson demolishes a rock in the breaking competition !

3 - Insts. Anthony and Joseph Spataro amazing demo - Nak Bop way off the matts!!!...WOW. - 4- KSN Staff Demo

5 - Master Schleeter self defense demo

6 - KSN self defense demo

Instructor Beth Dudzik and Instructor John Stenson: THE ULTIMATE WARRIORS! Congratulations on obtaining the first Ultimate Warrior Belts! Like the Farang of days gone by, you showed your diverse skills in numerous events throughout the day. Bravo! I'm so glad those belts stayed in the Farang Mu Sul® family!

7 - Inst. Beth Dudzik - Ultimate Warrior!

8 - Inst. John Stenson - Ultimate Warrior!

L.A Crew: What a class act! Instructor Saindon, you've got a very special group there. Instructors Van Doren, Miller et. all...Thank you sooo much. I can't even tell you how much I appreciate (and was caught off-guard by ) that plaque. I love it. My students: thanks for all your help in preparing and competing in this year's tournament. I love you guys. Special thanks to Chris Moore, who just always seemed to be there when I needed something. Good to have you back from coaching duties. Instructor Staley: Thanks so much for making it down from San Francisco and giving all your support; I wish we could have talked more on Saturday. Instructor Knight: I'm glad you stayed that extra day so we could hang out a bit (even if we were pretty tired and useless); let's plan that trip to Washington so we can continue to build this friendship. Thanks so much for making that trip down; I know it's not easy. World Head Quarters Students: You guys are the backbone of this organization. We all look up to you (and are often a bit jealous too) and appreciate all of your help and support of this tournament. Thanks again to everyone! FARANG!!!

FMS Portugal: With support and approval of WHQ, Inst. Pinto and the Portugal FMS have made the important steps to officially register the Portuguese Farang Mu Sul® Association. This is necessary to protect FMS as well as have access to governmental support. Congratulations Sir. I know this was a lot of hard and tedious work.

Inst. Pinto's schedule is still very hectic for the rest of the year. He has several seminars and demos on his calendar. Good job!!!

They also recently conducted color belt testing. Congratulations to all the new belts. We are all very proud of you. Keep up the good work! You are very lucky to have such a great teacher.

FMS Michigan: Head Inst. Robert Hudson has informed me that he has his first FMS children's color belt test coming up. He is working his students very hard so that they will present a great test. Good job. I can't wait to see the results.

FMS - New York: Master David Dehnert recently returned from a visit to the East Coast. Of course a hook up with the FMS family was automatic. They had some great training, testing as well as fight night at East Coast FMS Headquarters. I am very happy to see that they had such a fun time together. This is what it's all about: Real brotherhood.

FMS - Chicago: I recently received some great news from Inst. Talbott. He and his sons: Sebastian and Elijah, have wrapped up the year with a couple more competitions and awards banquet for American Karate Association, where they received several awards of accomplishment. Sebastian was named National Champion for his sparring division, Elijah was named National Champion for both his Traditional and Open Forms divisions, and Inst. Talbott was named National Champion for Soft Style Forms Champion. Add to that, he was also named the 2004 Outstanding Instructor. That was a great honor. Watching his sons receive their national championship, was one of the proudest moments in his life. ( I think we can all relate to that! ) To celebrate their victories, they went out the next Sunday to compete at the Best of the Best Open Taekwondo Championships were they all received 1st place in forms and weapons divisions. CONGRATULATIONS and well deserved Sir !!!

1 - Elijah receives award - 2- Sebastian receives award - 3 - Inst. Talbott receives award

Other News: Congratulations to Master Klaus Wachsmann on hitting his big 40th Birthday. They had a great celebration party with fun food and GIFTS! (Yeah!) I only wish I could have been there. Rest assured that I was there in spirit.

Also, the German FMS groups have two new websites. Asst. Inst. Höhne has been working very diligently with me on updating the Official German FMS site, and the Köln group has also worked on a very beautiful and informative site as well. Check them out at:

Birthday News: We are happy to announce the birthdays of our FMS Black Belts from all over the world, so all of you students will know exactly when you can show your gratitude and celebrate with your teachers. FMS Black Belt Birthdays for this month:
Inst. Cassie Van Doren Nov -10th, Chief Inst. Katarzyna Klepczyk Nov -17th, Inst. Patrick Brennan Nov -25th, Master Klaus Wachsmann Nov -27th. Wishing you all the best. Remember, you are an inspiration to so many, and this is your special day!

Next month of December will be: Inst. Ken Gibson Dec - 02nd, and Inst. Stuart McCalla Dec -17th !