The Making of a Master

15 yr old Wakashihan Jeramy Devlin Martin,
is the youngest 4th Dan Black Belt in the country. 

It's very rare when a child has the luxury of having a great martial arts Grandmaster as a father. For those chosen few, they’ll begin their martial arts training usually at a very early age. Most go on to receive their black belt, then when their older they'll (within tradition) usually open their own Dojo, some are actually very good instructors.

Then there are the exceptions. The rare ones that become what I call “the elite athletes”, true masters in their own right. Well, this about such a person and the making of a true master of the martial arts.

I would like to introduce you to a young man by the name of Jeramy Eric Devlin Martin he is now 15 years old. He’s been training since he was 2 years old in Ninjitsu, Kenpo / Kempo Karate-Do & Shotokan Karate-Do. He currently holds the rank of Yondan 4th degree Black Belt in the art of ShojuKempo Karate-Do. 

This dynamic young man, donates his valuable time to helping other students at the Nathan Bishop Middle School Shotokan Karate Club in Providence, Rhode Island where his father teaches traditional Shotokan Karate-Do to 6th, 7th & 8th Graders. His father is Hanshi Larry S. L. Martin, 9th Dan Black Belt in Shojukempo Karate-Do, 7th Dan Black Belt in Shotokan Karate-Do and 8th Dan Black Belt in Kempo Karate-Do. The karate club has been running for 3 1/2 years now.

Wakashihan Jeramy is the President / founder of the World Youth Martial Arts Federation for Children ages 7 to 17 years of age. With 10 gold medals in Kata, 5 gold medals in Kumite at traditional Karate-Do sport karate tournaments. Jeramy has won over 100 trophies in Kata, 80 trophies in Kumite and 13 trophies in Kobudo. This young man has accomplished a great deal at the age of 15 years old! 

“I have watched my son teach a class of young children & adults and what I really enjoy is, to see the adults, parents, instructors and students all show him the utmost of respect”, says Hanshi Larry S. L. Martin.

“This young man is hard-core traditional Shotokan Karate-Do all the way! He was just promoted to the 10th grade and everyone is so very happy with his performance in the martial arts and his academic's! This young man is a true martial artist all the way.”

“I am very proud father,” proclaims Hanshi Larry S. L. Martin.

For you beginners, Yondan is 4th Degree Black Belt and Wakashihan means young Master, or young teacher.

Shojukempo is the style that Hanshi Larry S. L. Martin created. It's a combination of traditional Shotokan Karate-Do, combat Ju-jitsu / Judo, Aikido, Okinawa, Chinese, American & Hawaiian Kempo and is all taught in traditional Japanese manner. All Kata are done the way they are to be performed! 

You can read more about Hanshi Larry S. L. Martin in our Feature Story, The Full Story of Shojukempo. Shojukempo is an offshoot of Kajukenpo Pai Lum, founded by Grandmaster William R. Gregory 10th Dan. He just passed away in Nov. 4 2001.

Check out their web site at www.rishotokan.com