As a Martial Arts Master who has been training for 28 years, a Black Belt Holder for almost 25 years and teaching 24 years, I was recently pleased to receive letters behind my name for over 20 years with the Cobra Martial Arts Association (also along with my Partner).
The letters stand for Cobra Gold Member (in our case it could also be Cobra Gold Master as we are both 7th and 6th Dans).
This is a real privilege for us and we are very proud to have achieved this.
Back in 2021 (As the lockdown was coming to an end) I suffered a serious illness which also made me aware of a serious long term injury that I did not know I had (I am currently waiting for this to be dealt with).
Over the years I have written and produced training workshop manuals for our club students and also presented them for other Instructors.
In 2023 I was awarded my 7th Dan Kyoshi (Teacher Grade Master).
With my written work and studies I asked myself "what other qualifications can be achieved?" But I also asked the question "What do you do if you no longer have the health to train?"
"Would you really want to waste all your time and effort and your knowledge?"
Ph.D. (Or to be more precise Doctorate of Freestyle Martial Arts)
So the search began, first step was what Universities/Open Unis catered for this. I found very little on this subject. I did find, however, what was usually required for a Ph.D. in other areas of academic study.
I next looked at Martial Arts Ph.D. available and found 4 of interest, but not in this country.
They varied from being issued by a University, Academy and a Martial Arts Association/Organisation.
They all required similar training/thesis work that was clearly based on an academic Ph.D. Althought one stated it was clearly not an academic PH.D. It was, however, still a Martial Arts Ph.D.
So what about the Ph.D. for Freestyle Martial Artists? Or should it read Doctorate of the Freestyle Martial Arts?
As I have already stated I am a Kyoshi 7th Dan Teacher Grade Master.
I have worked hard for this Grade (paying a physical price).
What about you? If you hold the Grade of a 5th Dan or above you are already a Master in your Field (Discipline).
Are you receiving the recognition you deserve?
As a Dan Graded Instructor in a Traditional Martial Art (Shotokan Karate) I well appreciate the time honoured virtues of the traditional martial arts.
As a Freestyle Martial Artist, I am also very aware of the opportunities available that are not held back by traditional methods (red tape etc).
There is always a code (and so there should be!) for setting high standards in the Freestyle Martial Arts (FMA).
However, I do not currently find a FMA Ph.D. equivalent available.
Therefore, I have researched and put together a training thesis that would be acceptable for those who conduct their own Ph.D. equivalent, or more precisely a Doctorate of Freestyle Martial Arts (D.FMA).
Fudo Ken Ryu - Martial Arts Career Enterprise are a Consultancy for bold projects and setting high standards for the Freestyle Martial Arts.
These are our requirements for a Doctorate of Freestyle Martial Arts.
DOCTORATE OF FREESTYLE MARTIAL ARTS
EXPERIENCE : (Tick if appropriate)
1 : MUST HAVE BEEN TRAINING FOR A MINIMUM OF 20 YEARS O
2 : MUST HAVE HELD A DAN GRADE FOR A MINIMUM OF 14 YEARS O
3 : MUST HAVE BEEN TEACHING/INST. FOR A MINIMUM OF 10 YEARS O
4 : MUST HOLD A MINIMUM OF 5th DAN MASTER GRADE O
5 : MUST BE MINIMUM AGE OF 28 YEARS OLD O
ASSOCIATION / ORGANISATION
6 : MUST HAVE AN UP-TO-DATE ASSC./ORG LICENCE /GRADE BOOK O
7 : MUST BE ON A UK ASSC./ORG BLACK BELT REGISTER O
8 : MUST BE INDEMNITY INSURED IN ALL STYLES TAUGHT O
9 : MUST BE ENCHANCED DBS CHECKED O
10: SEMINAR INST./GRADE PANEL EXAMINER ASSC./ORG (OPTIONAL) O
PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT
11: MUST HOLD A DAN GRADE IN A MINIMUM OF 2 DISCIPLINES O
12: HOLD F.K.R. LEVEL : 1 S.C.F. INST. EXAM (OR COMBAT FITNESS EQUIV.) O
