February 2008 has proven to be a great month for Sensei Ray Porter. At the beginning of the month he received an unsolicited e-mail from Grand Master Jack Stern, President of the ‘World Organisation of Martial Arts – USA’ (‘WOMA-USA’) who wrote that Sensei Ray had been highly recommended to them as a martial artist of note.
Sensei Ray has contact with leading martial artists from all over the world, which includes the U.S., Europe, U.K., Asia and the Middle East, due to his involvement with the ‘International Martial Arts Federation’, ‘All Japan Ju-jitsu International Federation’ and the ‘World Haedong Kumdo Federation’ , just to name a few.
After some background checks on Sensei Ray, and a WOMA council meeting to discuss his credentials and merits as a martial artist, it was unanimously decided to grant him awards and certificates of recognition duly earned for his services to martial arts.
These include his 35 years of training, instructing, running of seminars and weekend training camps both here in New Zealand and overseas.
The three main awards presented were,
- Sokeship 10th Dan, for the Founding of Shiroi Tsuru Te-jutsu
- PhD in Martial Arts and Sciences
- 6th Dan in Karate
All of Sensei Ray’s students are extremely proud of his achievements and believe these are all well deserved.
Recently Sensei Ray spent a weekend in Antwerp Belgium teaching at a weekend workshop for members of the I.M.A.F – Europe. There were students and Instructors form various Karate schools form around the district attending, with several 5th, 6th and 7th Dan holders going through their paces under his close scrutiny. At the conclusion of training on the Sunday Sensei Ray was approached by the organisers of the weekend and his return was demanded, not requested, for follow up training. One 5th Dan Instructor, Sensei Fons Wouters has requested Sensei return and spends two weeks solely teaching his students, taking the normal classes at his dojo’s and run special weekend training. He has offered Sensei to spend the two weeks at his home, so that they can spend as much time together training.
His talents have also been sort after by Sensei Lama Soursingh, Chief Instructor of Il-Do-Kwan and President of the ‘ Nepal Martial Arts Association’ in Kathmandu, as to training with Sensei Ray to introduce Te-jutsu techniques and philosophy into Nepal. Currently there are sports orientated martial arts clubs there, teaching Karate and Taekwon-do, but no combat style clubs.
Rebecca Porter, 1st Kyu Te-jutsu
Me with Sensei Ray and two 5th Dan Instructors, Antwerp.
5th – 7th Dan holders listening to Sensei’s Instruction, Antwerp.
Ray Porter's Certificates
