Great video! I'm sure these gentlemen are more than deserving of their new ranks. Look at all the children and adults participating in martial arts because of all these Masters. There's a lot of negative comments and if people only knew that Larry Tatum is the best teacher and practitioner of his art. I have seen him firsthand at a couple of different camps and what he brings to the table is nothing short of awesome. This is coming from a guy who has trained at a high level in most of the major martial arts. So I feel I'm well informed about this topic. I just hope that everyone can start looking at these achievements as a wonderful thing for all the people involved. Stop being negative and hateful.
Ed Parker's version of Kenpo changed constantly. After he died, who was to say what rank was what? Larry Tatum represents a reasonable portion of the representation of the art and was a student of Ed Parker. The ranks are explained: www.kenpotech.net/ed-parkers-american-kenpo/ed-parkers-american-kenpo-belt-ranks-and-titles/the-qualities-and-characteristics-of-rank/ www.kenpotech.net/ed-parkers-american-kenpo/ed-parkers-american-kenpo-belt-ranks-and-titles/
I am a first degree brown belt and my head instructor is 9th degree in kenpo and has been since 2009. I asked him why he hasn’t been promoted to 10th and that is what he said. Not hating on Larry Tatum, his explosiveness and intimidating power is astounding, but that is just what we think at my studio. It even says it on the website. The 10th degree title for the founder and head of the system is ‘Senior Grand Master of the Arts’. This title can only be bestowed upon the founder of the system and as such this title is reserved for Senior Grand Master Ed Parker alone.
@@ethan2077 IN the end, ranks don't matter. Only the skill experience and knowledge. And I agree, Larry's technique is amazing. In a way I feel cheated when I took Kenpo because my instructors had illusions of grandeur at becoming the next Ed Parker by developing their own system. So a lot of the philosophy was removed as were a majority of the fluid motions and movements. For example, we weren't taught things like "Five Swords" etc. It was, "this is a strike and you hit people here really hard." This was 1986. They were fresh off their black belts. I later went on to study Wado Ryu and Jeet Kune Do, but lately I have had a thirst to revisit Kenpo.
@@ethan2077 Read Book 2 page 10 there are accommodations for 10th degrees besides SGM Parker. "Senior Master Instructor" is the title he himself labeled any others at such rank.
Was not aware Hollywood Larry was the annointed one of Mr Parker's legacy? Butt certainly see the culture & politics of Hollywood have gone international! RIP Mr. & Mrs. Parker!!!
There are still enclaves of very good Kenpoists. I've been blessed to have known some of these people for over 40 years, and I can honestly say you'll be hard-put to find anyone better!!
Practiced & studied Martial Arts since I was 14. Eventually settled with Tukido & earned my official 1st Degree at 24. By my understanding there should be at least the same period between each degree as its number, minimum 2 years until 2nd degree, 3 years until 3rd etc. That's 54 years therefore until 10th Degree is even possible from 1st Degree, itself usually 4 years to achieve. Assuming the award should be for practical ability not an award for time, 10th degree should therefore be very rare occurrence.....
I'm not trying to be disrespectful or rude but thats always my point too. How did Parker get a 10th Dan in the first place? Can't any of them just do the same thing i.e. create their own style or knock off of kenpo and self promote? The techniques don't resemble any other style in my opinion they look made up. I've studied king Fu for 30 yrs and don't feel close to that high of a rank. The tenth Dan should be reserved for only the founder. This is just another reason why so people think traditional martial arts are a joke and/or ineffective.
Since Parker passed everyone has been in a belt race . Rank is given and bought , people deliberately age their belt to make it look more worn than it really is all in an attempt to impress.
that fella spends more time blow drying his hair, putting on his necklace and earring than training. Not sure jewellery is appropriate for the dojo. What a show.
@Laurence O'Connor Laurence the 11th dan american kenpoo break 4 roof tiles at a time, 3 reusable fake wooden boards and poke a hole in a piece of paper master, training out of big lennys super mall. For just $299 you can become a black belt within 3 months, money back guaranteed. Prices include a yellow gi with 40 patches. Gullible zero Connor the grandmaster of the legendary face to fist style. Sponsored by stannor stair lifts.
@@baldieman64 Not sure where you get that info. He trained under two Kenpo practitioners and earned a black belt. He then altered the style and called it American Kenpo Karate.
So....we don't get to see Larry Tatum kick those two in the stomach in "remembrance" or in celebration of their promotion? I feel cheated. For those of you who don't know, go looking for a video of Larry Tatum giving out a 9th degree belt....and he kicks them in the tum-tum for their trouble.
I have over 50 years in Kenpo and was a personal student of Ed Parker. I would never wear one of those belts. It's not learning to fight, Its mostly choreography practice now. I also trained long term with Joe Lewis, a real fighter and Champion. Who did Tatum ever fight..? Lol.
The same people Bruce never fought! I am NOT a fan of Tatum but there are many others in the same "never fought anyone" class. You will never see an "actual" video of Bruce or Tatum fighting EVER!
I'm old, When I met GrandMaster Parker and he gave me a candy bar he wasn't a Grandmaster yet. I think I was 8 years old and was just kicked in my balls.
oh no , what a bullshit , how many 10. degree they have , did they have also a 11. and 12 . degree black belt, But that is the USA the paradise of 10. Dan Masters.
Sorry but, how are these people handing out 10th dans? Only a real 10th dan from Japan or someone appointed by a Japanese master can hand out 10th dans. None of these people are recognised as 10th dans.
It's Ed Parker's system handed down to his senior students. Just like how Jason David Frank (The Green Ranger) is an 8th Degree Hanshi in "Rising Sun Karate" despite the fact that he isn't 50+ years of age ( A Japanese requirement for rank and title of Hanshi. Which is the master teacher of teachers.)
Go look at his videos where he tears his Uke a new hole with fast and powerful technique. Bad hair or not, do not come at Larry Tatum with hands because he will f you up.
