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Over 300 Traditional Karate competitors of all ages met at Londonderry High School on May 9th for the 2009 Annual Shidokan International Invitation Tournament.  Hanshi Richard Bernard, President of Shidokan International hosted the event on its 28th anniversary.

Goju-Ryu legend, Hanshi Chuck Merriman honored the event with his presence and awed the crowd with a demonstration of Tensho kata.  Kyoshi Ron Martin, Hanshi’s first teacher, was also present and was the judge for the final kumite match.  A total of four generations of the Goju-Ryu Karate-Do teachers were present: 

Hanshi Chuck Merriman > Kyoshi-Kaiden Ron Martin > Hanshi Richie Bernard > Renshi Mandy & Ken Akiyama

House of the Samurai was well represented by numerous champions from ages 3-60.  And all competitors were successful as they stepped up and met the challenge.  Students demonstrated their training in three events- kata, kumite, and kobudo.

House of the Samurai congratulates all students who competed and represented the dojo with honor.

Those who stayed through the main events, witnessed new Directors of the House of the Samurai, Renshi's Mandy and Ken Akiyama win both the male and female overall Grand Championships. 

 Shidokan members gathered at the House of the Samurai on April 4th for the second seminar with Kyoshi Ron Martin and a historic "passing of the torch" ceremony where Hanshi Richard Bernard conferred upon Renshi(s) Mandy and Ken Akiyama the honor and duty of continuing the House of the Samurai. 

 Karate legend, Kyoshi Ron Martin (Hanshi Bernard's teacher), conducted two seminars; one for youths and one for adults.  Students in attendance gained invaluable insight into several key topics including the use of distancing, timing, and how to build winning combinations.  The students certainly gained an edge for the upcoming invitational tournament

 Following the seminar, House of the Samurai students, Shidokan members, families, and special guests witnessed a historic ceremony conducted by Hanshi Richie Bernard when:

Mandy and Ken Akiyama where officially conferred as Directors of the House of the Samurai

They were promoted to Godan, 5th degree black belt.

They were both appointed to the teaching grade of Renshi (senior instructor).

They were appointed as Uchi-Deshi (designated to receive the inner-most secrets of the art and an oath to teach karate for their lifetime)