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A.T.A.M.A. 2000'S NATIONAL
CONVENTION
and TRAINING CONFERENCE INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES!
SENSEI ROSS BRIGGS
Goju-Shorei Karate
Master Ross
Briggs began his martial training at the age
of nine, studying Kodokan Judo and later Kodenkan JuJitsu
at the local YMCA in Reno, Nevada. In 1970 he started Tae Kwon Do
training under his older brother Tom Briggs, a Reno Police officer who
had studied in Korea.
In 1971, Master Briggs
met and began expanding his martial arts knowledge by training with
Sensei (now Great-Grandmaster) Alexander Archie in the art of
Shudokan Karate. Along with fellow students David McNeill, now Soke
of Goju Shorei Systems, and Joe Walker, now head of Kifaru
Jitsu – Western Region,
Through most of the
1970’s this trio operated a string of successful schools throughout the
region. Master Briggs worked to expand the public’s knowledge of the
martial arts by presenting demonstrations on local TV stations, and to
public service groups throughout the area, and by teaching classes to
many local youth free of charge.
From 1975 to 1977
Master Briggs also trained under Master Byong Yong Yu, then of Oakland,
California, and was promoted to 3rd Dan in Moo Duk Kwan Tae
Kwan Do. For Two years he and Leon Robles operated Byong Yu Tae Kwon
Do in downtown Reno.
In 1977 Master Briggs
joined the U.S. Army, and served as a Military Policeman with the 82nd
Airborne Division, where he created and taught a Defensive Tactics
Training Program for his fellow military police personnel.
Upon his return to
Northern Nevada, Master Briggs rejoined Soke McNeill and Master Walker
in teaching at several locations throughout the Reno/Sparks area,
including Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC). He competed
extensively in Karate tournaments throughout the western United States,
amassing a collection of what he later came to call his “door stops”.
In 2007 Soke McNeill
appointed Master Briggs Director of Karate for the Goju-Shorei
Systems.
Some of Master Briggs’
accomplishments include:
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United
Stated Martial Arts Hall of Fame, 2008
Inductee
-
International Martial Arts Council of America,
Nevada State Director
-
American
Teachers Association of Martial Arts (ATAMA),
National Board Member
Master Briggs is 5th
Degree in Goju Shorei Karate, 3rd Degree in JuJitsu
under Grandmaster Archie, 3rd Degree in Tae Kwon Do
under master Byong Yu, and 2nd Degree in the BKF Kenpo
Systems under the system’s co-founder, the Reverend/Great
Grandmaster Donnie Williams, and is a Regional Board Member of the
American JuJitsu Institute.
Master Briggs is the
Chief promoter of the Silver State Open Championships, a martial
arts tournament held each year in northern Nevada
Professionally Master
Briggs has been an executive in the Gaming industry for nearly thirty
years, specializing in Casino Operations. He is currently the
Director of Security and Surveillance at Boomtown Hotel & Casino,
Reno, Nevada. Master Briggs teaches from his home-dojo in Sparks,
Nevada, where he specializes in street defense and defensive tactics for
law enforcement personnel. He is married, with four children, two
adopted children, and several grandchildren.
- - - -
Contact:
1renon8v@charter.net
Website:
www.gojushorei.com
www.silverstateopen.com
http://www.americanjujitsuinstitute.org/
http://www.atama.us/
http://www.unitedstatesmartialartshalloffame.com/ |
