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Anding de Leon
Grandmaster and Founder
of International Arnis de Leon Federation
Grandmaster Menandro Garcia de Leon, known to his friends as Anding, was born on February 2, 1960 in Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines. Anding first began training in the martial arts at the age of 13 during his high school. He began learning Modern Arnis during his P.E. class at school and later attended advanced training at the national headquarters of Modern Arnis and continued learning Okinawan Karate-Judo at the same time outside the school system. Anding soon realized the effectiveness of Arnis, and began attending advanced classes more seriously with the Professor Remy Presas, the founder of Modern Arnis at the national headquarter of Modern Arnis in addition to his training during P.E. Although Anding was training hard learning Arnis, he still kept his commitment to Okinawan Karate-Judo and earned his Black Belt with another master by the name of Wilfredo del Rosario before devoting all of his time to the art he truly loved.
At the age of 15, Anding earned his Black Belt in Modern Arnis and began teaching Arnis formally for the first time. Due to his active participation, superb skills and dedication to the art, he was nominated among others to teach at two military training camps and two college campuses. During the interlude between finishing high school and starting college, Anding (16 at the time), began teaching numerous Neighborhood Crime Watch groups and Police Officers in his Philippine homeland prior to coming to United States.
In August of 1980, Anding left the Philippines and moved to Lorain, Ohio before finally moving to Dallas, Texas in February of 1981. In 1984, Anding began teaching Arnis for the first time since leaving his homeland. Starting out by teaching a few selective students, Anding soon found more and more students seeking his training. Anding began teaching regularly scheduled classes and private lessons at other martial arts schools prior to opening the Martial Arts Center in 1995.
Anding, was one of Prof. Remy Presas' original students, and was a certified and authorized instructor of the Professor. Anding is holding a 4th degree black belt in Modern Arnis and was the Southwestern U.S. regional director of the International Modern Arnis Federation (I.M.A.F.)
Anding's twenty-seven years of teaching experience includes military training camps, colleges, police officers, and neighborhood crime watch groups in his Philippine homeland; as well as numerous martial arts schools in the local area prior to opening the Garland Martial Arts Center in 1995.
After nearly 30 years in the martial arts and almost 27 years instructing, Anding has decided to create his own system and federation, International Arnis de Leon Federation. Modern Arnis serves as the systems base and Anding has ingeniously modified techniques to reflect his own unique skills and theory. The system emphasizes fluidity of motion and proper use of technique to overcome physical strength. Anding stresses the "Dance of Pain", grappling flow (traditionally called - Buno), transitioning easily from one technique to the next in a continuous string of joint locks and chokes, all while moving at full speed.
The creation of Arnis de Leon was decided upon for several reasons. Arnis was first referred to as Arnis de Mano (old style), or harness of the hand. Borrowing from our founders name, the system has now become Arnis de Leon. | |
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PROFESSOR DARRELL SARJEANT, FOUNDER
Professor Darrell Sarjeant is the founder and chief instructor of the Kamau Ryu System of Self-Defense. Born in Staten Island, NY, he began training in the Arts of Tae Kwon Do and Karate at the age of five.
At the age of fourteen, Sarjeant began training formally in the Art of Shotokan Karate Do under the guidance of Nick Bruno, Sensei. Bruno Sensei was a direct student of Grandmaster George Cofield, founder of the famous Tong Dojo in Brooklyn, NY. As Bruno decided to move his family to Florida, he introduced the class to Ralph Gastiaburo, Shihan. Gastiaburo was a senior instructor under Grandmaster Pete Siringano Sr., chief instructor of Goshindo Kempo Karate and Samurai Ryu Jiu Jitsu. Gastiaburo was one of the top competitors on the East Coast in fighting competition during the late 60's and early 70's.
Sarjeant studied the Arts of Goshindo Kempo and Samurai Ryu Jiu Jitsu for a period of five years. After this time, he began training in the Art of Goju Ryu Karate Do under a variety of instructors. He received his first-degree black belt under Glen Nieves, Sensei. He then continued his training under Hiram Diaz, Kyoshi of USA Goju Ryu and Chinese Goju. From Diaz Kyoshi, Professor received his second through fourth degree black belts. During this time, the Professor received training in Japanese/Okinawan Goju Ryu under Rico Guy, Hanshi of the US Budo Kai Kan attaining the rank of third degree black belt. Sarjeant ultimately received his fifth degree black belt in Goju Ryu under Grandmaster Ron Van Clief, Shidoshi, founder of Chinese Goju.
While training in the Art of Goju Ryu Karate Do, Sarjeant began serious study in the Art of Ju Jitsu through the Vee Jitsu lineage. He first began training under the guidance of Grandmaster Lil' John Davis, Founder of Kumite Ryu Ju Jitsu. He then began learning Combat Jiu Jitsu under Grandmaster Billy Davis, founder of the Davis Jiu Jitsu Self-Defense System. He ultimately went on to train directly under the guidance of Dr. Moses Powell, Grandmaster of Sanuces Ryu Jiu Jitsu. Sarjeant has also had the opportunity to learn aspects of Vee Jitsu directly under the late Grand Professor Florendo Visitacion and Professor David James, Inheritor of Vee Arnis Jitsu. He was later examined by the US Budo Kai Kan, under the guidance of Grandmaster Rico Guy, and awarded the rank of sixth degree black belt Kyoshi (Professor) in Ju Jitsu and Kempo. Master Sarjeant was also awarded the rank of fifth degree black belt Renshi Shihan (Asst. Professor) in the Art of Aiki Jitsu under Grandmaster Ron Van Clief, Shidoshi.
Today he continues his training in order to broaden his knowledge of various fighting systems. He is currently training in various aspects of the Filipino and Indonesian Martial Arts, along with the study of African Dance and fighting arts. He is at present a student of Ama Guro Rufino Pambuan 5th Generation Inheritor of the Art of Pambuan Arnis Tulisan Caballero Mano Mano.
Through his deep commitment to his community, Sarjeant has taught at several after school programs, non-profit organizations, and group homes. He has worked with former criminal offenders, at risk youth, women's groups and senior citizens. Professor Sarjeant was featured in the Black Heroes of the Martial Arts book along with other leading African American masters of the martial arts. He has been seen in several martial arts publications such as Karate International, American Karate Magazine and Action Magazine. Master Sarjeant has taught workshops throughout the country including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, California. North Carolina, Louisiana and Oklahoma. He was featured in the Introduction to Aiki Jitsu tape by Grandmaster Ron Van Clief and has won several trophies in fighting, forms, and self-defense competitions. He has also spoken and taught Rape Prevention workshops in various Colleges, Universities, and Women's Fitness Clubs including Wagner College, Langston University, and Better Women's Fitness Gyms.
Master Sarjeant currently resides in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He serves as the President of the Silent Warrior International Martial Arts Association and is the chief instructor of the Silent Warrior School of Defensive Tactics. In addition he is the owner of Silent Warrior Protective Services & Investigations, and often provides personal security services. Clients have included Craig Hodges (former NBA player), T'keyah Crystal Keymah (actress) and several leaders in the business and entertainment world. Professor Darrell Sarjeant realizes the need for self defense in both the young and old alike. With over 27 years experience in the Arts, he has worked diligently to develop techniques that are easy to learn yet effective for all age groups regardless of size or sex. | |
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Birmingham, Tim
Began Martial Art Training at 6 years old. Black belts in American, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese martial arts. Extensive studies into many combative martial arts styles and systems. Remains a student of the martial arts.
32 years of training and teaching experience.
Experience in boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, karate, no holds barred and other combative sports.
Undercover agent 1981 - 1986.
Past President of NCAB, Inc. responsibilities included directing and coordinating of security, investigation, surveillance and intelligence gathering. Past president and member of the board of directors of the Tennessee Association of Investigators, Jackson Chapter. Assisted the National Assessment Institute on compiling test and standards for the Private Investigation Industry in State of Tennessee.
Extensive experience in real life hand to hand, armed conflict and weapons defense.
Experienced instructor of civilian, law enforcement and official personnel.
Expert Skills
H2H
Tactical Knife
Personal protection and planning
Strategic Planning/Intelligence gathering
Mindset Development
Advanced Skills
Groundfighting
Defensive Driving
Firearms
Studies
Researcher and student of reality defense
Researcher into the link of the mind and body
Meditation and affects on the mind and body.
Founder
Scientific Combat Method
Professional Defense Programs
Mindset the Road To Preparedness
Inner Awakenings
Founding member of the Taoist Art of Fighting.
CO-Founder American Combat Masters
Founder of the Birmingham Institute
Other
FAA Licensed Pilot.
Master Dave McNeill, Soke
Master Dave McNeill started his study of Goju-Shorei Karate in 1971 under the tutelage of Grand Master Alexander Archie.
In the mid-80s it was decided that the Goju-Shorei System needed a fresh approach in the teaching of weapons. It was noted that all of the so-called traditional weapons were illegal in most, if not all, of the States. The decision was made to teach only weapons that were legal and practical. With that in mind, Master McNeill was assigned the task of developing a structured, weapons system that could be utilized by the general public, as well as the Goju-Shorei students.
After extensive research McNeill decided that the cane, knife and fan would best meet the test of legality and practicality. The cane being the core weapon since it is such a practical tool, and is legal anywhere in the world. The knife blade would be no longer than 3", which is legal in all states. The fan is the one weapon that is the most subtle. It appears harmless, but, in trained hands, can cause unbelievable pain and damage. Master McNeill rates it as one of his favorite carry-anywhere weapons.
The size and quality of a cane that could be bought from drug stores or specialty shops were found to be extremely inadequate. The wood was too weak and the size of the crook was too small. Master McNeill launched a search for a source of oak and hickory canes that could be modified to meet his standards. After visiting and giving specifications to a company in Arkansas it was agreed that they would be the sole suppliers of the raw stock for the Goju-Shorei Weapons.
Master McNeill then created the many designs on the horn, crook and shaft of the Cane that would meet the essential self-defense demands of this unique and powerful weapon.
The next step was to create the ranking standards. This had to include katas, techniques, exercises and a method of displaying the rank of a separate, but equal, system. Master McNeill recruited his friend and student, Scott Rasner, to help him in this almost impossible task. When McNeill refers to Mr. Rasner he always says, "If a technique or a move in the kata is totally unique and effective, then you know that was a contribution from Scott. He was steadfast in his support of my project and without him I would never have been able to pull it off." Master McNeill credits Mr. Rasner as the single most important factor aiding in the creation of the System.
An octagonal patch designates the rank of the Weapons System, with colored chevrons sewn to the outside of the patch. The colors correspond to the Karate ranking colors of Yellow, Orange, Purple, Green, three Browns and Black. Requirements were also developed for eight Black ranks in the System.
In 1994 Goju-Shorei formally adopted the Cane, Knife and Fan as its official weapons, and Master McNeill was designated head of Goju-Shorei Weapons. 
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