Australian Instructors and students have recently returned from the Las Vegas Training Camp of 2010 after becoming part of Jeff Speakman’s historic 8th Degree Black Belt test. In front of a panel of Mr Speakman’s peers including Steve Labounty, Lou Angel, Jaki McVicar and “Benny the Jet” to name a few, Mr Speakman tested for his 8th Degree alongside his Black belts from all over the globe. Mr Speakman became the first person to physically test for his new rank. Generally anyone above the rank of 6th degree receive an honorary promotion and are NOT required to physically test.

Several Australian Instructors and students also tested on the night and received new rank. They were: Lauren Campbell 3rd Degree Black, Martin Gosling, Don Woods & Suzanne Woods 2nd Degree Black, Shane Parker 1st degree Black , Peter De Cruz 1st Degree Brown and Cam Hunt Adult Blue. Congratulations everyone!

In an emotionally charged belt ceremony at the end of the grading, Mr Speakman presented his very first Black Belt which he received from Lou Angel 30 years ago to Anto Parseghian. Mr Parseghian is Jeff Speakman’s highest ranking Black Belt. In an amazing honour for Mr Parseghian, he now has been named Mr Speakman’s successor.

For video of Mr Speakman’s belt ceremony and speech please follow the facebook group link here

Photos and video are also available.

Also feel free to check out Mr Speakman’s main website www.jeffspeakman.com for more photos and information.

American Kenpo version 5.0 is the hybrid of the last generation version of American Kenpo taught directly from Senior Grand Master Ed Parker to Jeff Speakman and cage and ground fighting. Approximately 31 new techniques have been created and replacing out dated or redundant existing techniques. In addition another 20 techniques have been altered in varying degrees to accommodate the same thinking.

It is important to recognize that this is not grappling or cage fighting but an expanding philosophy of Kenpo and the Kenpo ground system coupled with training drills and sparring techniques. It is modifying the existing 4.0 system while remaining completely within the combat models and thinking of American Kenpo to address this increasing and prevalent void in the Kenpo world. By keeping within these models of Kenpo we have been able to develop a system combining the best of these two worlds to give our students the maximum ability to deal with the very real possibilities of becoming involved in these kinds of altercations. In addition it allows us to continue to develop ourselves within the mind-body-spirit paradigm to reach a higher level of individual performance and sustained excellence therefore strengthening the group as a whole.

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