DEDICATION

I dedicate this body of work to my Lord and Savoir, Jesus Christ and thank Him for providing me with all the characteristics, attributes and talents necessary for this endeavor. All the glory rightfully belongs to Him.

I also dedicate this body of work to:

-My wife Rebecca, daughter Bella, and son Mateus for their constant love, support and sacrifice throughout this process. Along with God, they are my joy.

-Grandmaster/Dr. Ngo Dong for his founding of “Cuong Nhu Karate/Oriental Martial Arts”, as well as the patience, instruction, mentoring, guidance and love that he provided me in my development as a martial artist. He was my hero and the “wind beneath my wings” so much that I would dedicate my life to teaching martial arts. It was his “stages of growth” philosophy that inspired me to “start anew, the cycle of growth but in another discipline, another dimension…and complete freedom (being unattached)….” It was also his personal advice to me coming up the ranks that taught me how to handle any “nay-sayers” and critics along the way (even among my peers) with the phrases  “The dogs barked, yet the caravan still passed” and “It’s hard to fly like an eagle when you’re surrounded by a bunch of turkeys”. My love and gratitude for him will forever be in my heart.

-Sensei David Crockett Holdway, III (my original Sensei) for firmly planting the seed of martial arts in me, and I credit him for all the fruit that is born of that seed.

-Professor/Grandmaster Ernie Cates for his profound influence on the development of Cuong Nhu Karate/Oriental Martial Arts, for his development and Sokeship of “Neko Ryu Goshin Jitsu”, as well as the patience, instruction, mentoring, guidance and love that he has provided me in my development as a martial artist, especially in Neko Ryu, Judo, and Jiu Jitsu. I, with all my love and respect, thank him for his being my role model. Professor Ernie Cates is the epitome of a true Grandmaster, Martial Artist, Leader, Gentlemen and Man of Integrity. I also thank him for his faith and belief in me, and being my mentor, advisor and sponsor in this endeavor.

-All my peers and students over the past three decades for their love, support, friendship and continued inspiration and motivation to continue this wonderful journey called the study and practice of martial arts.

-All my black belts, for their love, support, faith, loyalty, inspiration and motivation in this endeavor. I love and respect all of you.

-Shuseki Shihan Jeff Tirshfield, Soke Dai Go Jiu Bujitsu for his professionalism, talent, superb martial arts skills, love, support and significant contributions to this endeavor.

-To Gina & Jeanette Virissimo for their love, support and many, many hours of babysitting my daughter, Bella and son, Mateus while I created this body of work and pecked away at the computer with my two typing fingers.

Thank you, with all my love and respect, Mark J. Colangelo