Non-japanese uchi deshi under Sosai

[buckette]

On Sensei Nicholas Pettas' website, it says he is the only non-japanese to complete the uchi deshi program under Sosai Oyama. I have heard of an Australian who completed the program -- Sensei Judd Reid, who was sent by Sosai to teach in Sweden for a while, before he returned to Japan, then back to Australia. Just wondering if any of you have heard of any other non-japanese to complete the uchi deshi program, or know more about Judd Reid?

[spanky11]

there has been alot more than just Pettas - shihan howard collins come immediately to mind

[Dim]

I'm sure I've heard one of the sempais where i train mention Judd Reid before. Especially in relation to someone's leg being broken in a tournament fight by Judd blocking a gedan mawashi with his shin. (not sure if it is, i will double check, in the meantime anyone please feel free to correct me)

[RASor]

Osu Senseis & Senpais,

From reading the profile of Sensei Judd Reid he mentioned that he trained at the Honbu in Japan, 1990-1996, no details whether under the special Uchideshi program or regular training program.

It would seem awkward for Sensei Nicky Pettas to claim exclusivity as foreign Uchideshi of our Great Sosai Oyama if this is not true. However, the fact that he did finish his 1,000 day training with Sosai Oyama is without dispute.

May be it would be best for Sensei Judd Reid to speak on the matter, since he has not declared such fact, if true, in his public profile only Sensei Reid could say.

Osu.

[RASor]

Originally Posted by spanky11

there has been alot more than just Pettas - shihan howard collins come immediately to mind

Osu Sir spanky11,

Words from Shihan Howard Collins on his training at Honbu Japan: "I was twenty-one years of age when I left for Japan. I was a green belt 3 kyu when I started to train in Honbu. The training was hard and repetitious, every lesson was the same and they would last between two and two and a half hours."

It appears Shihan Howard Collins trained under the regular program at Honbu Japan. From what I have seen and experienced of an Uchideshi training program it is often from dawn until dusk not just 2-1/2 hours. Allowance for short breaks were only for meals. There was also no rank amongst the Uchideshi (they all stood the same). Only after completing the program were they awarded their shodan.

I may be wrong but the 1,000 day training is the most rigorous of all the Kyokushin training programs requiring exceptional mental & physical discipline.

Osu.

[Lanky Sempai]

Osu!
I believe Sensei Reid now trains/teaches in Melbourne at MKK with Shihan Kolovos.
He fights in the ring Karate comps I think, as for the uchi deshi thing I'm not 100% sure though I could ask my sensei, I'm sure he'd know.

[kyofighter]

Steve Arneil - the first who completed the 100 kumite , trained at hombu for years as uchi deshi - Sosai called him : ,,my son ,,

[pnul]

The first woman uchi-deshi Elena Vorobyeva

[CameronQ]

Originally Posted by pnul

The first woman uchi-deshi Elena Vorobyeva

Don't forget Tracey Gurski, who completed her uchi deshi training in Australia (training with Walter Schnaubelt, Garry O'Neill and many others) in 1995.

[Martin H]

True, but while that is a big acomplishment, the question was which westerners completed the full 1-3 years of Uchi-dechi training in hombu under sosai.

Arneil if I remember correctly, didnt stay uchi-dechi for the full 3 years, only for 1 year (or is my memory playing tricks on me here??).
Many fighters went and lived in the old hombu as a uchidechi for a short while (a couple of months), but how many, and who, stayed the full time?

If I remember correctly there were 3 possible durations for uchi dechi´s to "complete" the training. 1, 2 or 3 years. Pettas stayed one year I think.

[kyofighter]

" -SR How long were you there?
-SA (Steve Arneil) I started there around 1961 until beginning of 1965. I loved it. I was very fortunate with my wife. I wasn’t able to work and she supported me fully. She worked in a bank. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have been able to do what I have done. I did some work of course like most foreigners but it wouldn’t have been enough. "

This is from an interview that Hanshi Steve Arneil did a while ago - I have the full inteview if you guys interested - he talks about how he got involved in kyokushin and how training was under sosai.
Osu

[Bloke]

Kyofighter - I would love to read the full interview - any chance you can post it?

[kyofighter]

here is the interview : http://www.contactkicks.net/Hanshi.html

[Bloke]

Kyofighter - many thanks for that. Its a very good interview. I was at Crystal Palace when Steve Rowe presented him with the man of the Year award and he got the most amazing standing ovation such is the regard in which he is held.

[kyofighter]

No problem Bloke.

Last week end Hanshi was here in US for a semminar in Rochester NY - unfortunatelly I couldn't make it - I'm to far here in Colorado - I'm planing to go though in october to the tournament to compete this year.
Osu

[nangoushuujin]

I've never read of Sensei Pettas claiming he was the only foreign uchideshi, but I think he was the last uchideshi accepted by Sosai.

Sensei Pettas has a website where you can post on his weblog and he will answer any and all questions.

Osu

[Kurisu]

From his website (www.nicholaspettas.com):

At the age of 18, Nicholas entered Master Oyama’s 1000 day live-in, rigorous, boot-camp style program, Uchi Deshi. Nicholas became the first, and until this day, is the only non-Japanese to ever complete the program.

[b3n]

Sensei Judd Reid certainly completed Uchi Deshi. I have trained with him...i have the interview with him from Blitz Magazine (Aus)...and will upload as soon as i figure out how...

[RASor]

Originally Posted by kyofighter

Steve Arneil - the first who completed the 100 kumite , trained at hombu for years as uchi deshi - Sosai called him : ,,my son ,,

Osu kyofighter,

I do not think there was an Uchideshi program at the time of Steve Arneil. May be theirs is the start of the Uchideshi program. In the link you had provided (interview of Hanshi Steve Arneil) it is clear that he refers to the white belts as Kohai not Uchideshi. Also Hanshi did sport colored belts as he progressed. Usually Uchideshi's are ranked the same regardless of length of time spent under the program. Thus an udhideshi never knew the rank the other uchideshi, all are equal (this is how we implement the program).

Osu!

[Zenergy]

Originally Posted by Lanky Sempai

Osu!
I believe Sensei Reid now trains/teaches in Melbourne at MKK with Shihan Kolovos.
He fights in the ring Karate comps I think, as for the uchi deshi thing I'm not 100% sure though I could ask my sensei, I'm sure he'd know.

Osu,

You are correct, Sensei Reid is at http://www.melbmartialarts.com.au/public/karate.htm

Cheers

Osu