New ISSA Shifus
Shifu Robitaille & Shifu Miller
The ISSA welcomes our newest black belts, Shifu Robitaille and Shifu Miller.
Not only are they our newest black belts but also the first black belts to test under the ISSA. As expected, they went through a rigorous testing and pretesting procedure. Pre-tested by Da' Shifu Clark and then tested in the new 7 Beasts Martial Arts in Sacramento.
Both are students of Sheng Chi Kung Fu in Valley Springs
Both Shifu Robitaille and Shifu Miller have been around Shou' Shu' for quite some time. Shifu Robitaille started in the old Stockton Quan over twenty years ago under Shun Shifu Delage. He was very close to Sijo Da' Shifu and recieved lessons from him fairly regularly in the Burson Quan. Shifu Robitaille tested for his black prep in front of Sijo Da' Shifu just before his passing. Memorably Sijo' Da' Shifu made a point to point out his skills at the time by saying "Phil why didn't you just put him up for black. He's good enough". It was quite a compliment.
Shifu Robitaille was also given the task of being the pastor for Sijo Da' Shifu's funeral. A very difficult task I'm sure.
Shifu Miller also started over twenty years ago. Twenty years and a month to be exact. He started as a teen in the Lodi Quan. After later being called away for military service and then moving to Oregon upon return he eventually found his way to Sheng Chi several years ago as a blue belt. He has been an asset to the studio ever since.
New Shifus and "Old Shifus"
Shifu Bottimore, Shifu Robitaille, Shun Shifu Weaver, Shifu Miller Shun Shifu Hashimoto, Shifu Liz, Shifu Albright, Shifu Ferrer
Attending the test were
- Shifu Bottimore
- Shifu Ferrero
- Shun Shifu Weaver
- Shifu Hashimoto
- Shifu Liz
- Shifu Albright
A remarkable occasion for the ISSA with new Shifus, Shifus reuniting from the distant past, and a brand new school.