B. Alguire sensei and J. Gross sensei (Master Instructor Award)
Master Instructor Rating
The Master Instructor Rating is the highest jujitsu/grappling award, in this field of study, that can be given by the American Okinawan Karate Kobudo Association (AOKK). A person holding a Master Instructor Rating has the power to award a Senior Instructor Rating in AOKK Jujitsu. This Jujitsu rating is only one facet of what is needed to hold the title of Kyoshi in the AOKK. We, in the AOKK, believe that jujitsu and grappling are part of a student’s karate education and not a separate entity. When karate instruction began in Japan, much of the grappling was removed. It is our belief that throwing and grappling need to be reincorporated into a student’s curriculum as it was in the past. The American Okinawan Karate Kobudo association is a firm believer in the philosophy of being proficient in all three ranges of combat. Not all students want this type of training, so we needed to distinguish those that have received higher levels of proficiency to maintain the integrity of our discipline. The Master Instructor Rating is the highest of these distinguished levels of competency. Master Instructor is the teacher of teachers.
Recipients:
Alguire sensei and Gross sensei, have spent a lifetime perfecting their abilities in all three ranges of combat. I have known Bernie for several decades and he has been part of the yudansha since the AOKK’s inception. He holds high ranks in both judo and jujitsu. He is a retired Lieutenant Coronel in the United States Army and served in the special forces. He is also a retired police officer. Gross sensei, is Alguire sensei’s top student and has the battle scars to prove it. Training with Alguire sensei can be brutal. He has always held a no nonsense approach to the martial arts, and anyone that has been trained by him knows exactly what I’m talking about. His knowledge of karate and grappling is extensive, and he has willingly passed the majority of that knowledge to Sensei Gross. Sensei Gross is one of the most humble martial artists I have met in my martial arts career. It has been a pleasure to present both sensei Alguire and sensei Gross with this honor. We do apologize for the length of time it took to make this award, but COVID19 placed it on hold for a year.