2021 Christmas Message from Hanshi Marc

 Hi Everyone,

Well, what a year 2021 has been!! We faced lockdowns, restrictions, interstate border closures… 2021 started off flying, with back on the mat training, then we faced the first of many lockdowns in February, and on and off throughout the year with the last lockdown going for just over 10 weeks!

All Active Martial Arts instructors and students did what we always do - and that was to adapt to what we could do and didn’t worry about what we couldn’t do!!

Instructors and Staff worked extremely hard to do what was required to help keep all our students training and learning, by running zoom session or working behind the scenes.

And to all our students who kept training with AAMA on Zoom, or who kept in contact by phone, email and social media, we thank you! The amazing support that we gave each other was so important throughout yet another very challenging year!

To all the students that took part in Grading online, this also shows an incredible commitment and effort that just proves how well you all adapted to the hard time we were facing.

2021 on a personal note was a very mixed bag for me! With working through lockdowns, and all the government restrictions that came with each one.

But the biggest loss was the passing of my Supreme Grandmaster Diony Cañete, the head of Doce Pares in the Philippines, in August.

SGM Diony Cañete had been my mentor for over 20 years, and was a man that showed that age was no barrier. He was what I call a man of great Skill and Knowledge and was at his best when passing on all that he had learned. His passion for Martial Arts in general was contagious! (In a very good way!)

Then, after nearly 40 years of training in Martial Arts, I received a call from Soke (Chief) Bob Jones. It is always nice to catch up and have a talk about what’s happening! This call was different though, as it was to rank me to 9^th Degree in BJMA (Tara Miliata).

My first and initial instinct was to answer Soke Bob by saying I was sorry but could NOT take this rank of 9^th Degree, as I believed I am not worthy of this rank due to time (it is 45 years to 9^th) and NOT viewing myself on the same level as Soke Bob or others Martial Artist that have come before me. I did turn down the 9^th Degree rank, but following another hour on the phone with Soke Bob explaining the reasons for why he believes I deserved the rank, he asked me to have a think about it for 24 hours and to get back to him.

I must say those 24 hours were a real mind bender and an internal battle trying to figure out whether I was worthy. I had conversations with several people I trust, not just in BJMA but across the martial arts world, as well as others who know me on more of a personal level.

After what seemed to be the longest 24 hours of my life, I could finally call Soke Bob with an answer. Admittedly I let him know what a hard decision it was. It tore me apart in so many ways…It is hard to find the right words to explain what 9^th Degree even means. I advised Soke Bob that I accept the rank of 9^th Degree with great honour and respect.

I will do what I have been doing for 40 years and that’s to continue sweating, learning, and passing on all I have learned and will learn, to everyone who has the will and desire to learn more and level up their skill!

With our quote of Strength and Knowledge come together, I see this is the best way to view my rank of Hanshi 9^th Degree because this is what must occur for any of us to keep moving forward! If one does not have this desire, then that person is only making up numbers in a room, with no purpose. If one doesn’t complete all physical grading ranks to 5^th Degree and able to share what they know on this path, then this is also only making up numbers in a room.

As 2021 comes to an end and we look at what we have done, 2022 is a fresh start to look at what we have in front of us and to keep sweating and learning, so your Strength and Knowledge WILL come together.

Don’t be that person who will just make up numbers in a room!!

I wish you a very Merry Christmas with family and friends, and a great new year!!!

Yours with Strength and Knowledge,

Hanshi Marc