McSweeney's 7th from Ed Parker by Zoran Sevic
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McSweeney's 7th from Ed Parker by Zoran Sevic - Mar. 6th, 2007, 3:20:20 PM
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Zoran
Posts: 140
Joined: Mar. 4th, 2007,
From: Chicago Area, Illinois
Status: offline
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It would seem that many in the Kenpo community believe that John McSweeney was never awarded a 7th Degree Black by Ed Parker. I’m here to say that they are wrong. So lets set the records straight. Mr. McSweeney’s Certificate from Mr. Parker
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On January 6, 1990; Grandmaster Edmund Kealoha Parker awarded John McSweeney his 7th Degree Black. If you look at the signatures near the right corner of the certificate, you can see the instructors signature is Ed Parker’s and the witness is his wife. I have seen this certificate hanging on the wall of our school since 1990. I saw it in 1991, which is when I arrived. I also interviewed several of my seniors who remember when Mr. McSweeney received the rank.
Mr. McSweeney no longer taught Parker Kenpo. At the time of his achieving his 7th, he was teaching his own form of Kenpo. By combining the principles of the Parker system, incorporating some of the large circular strikes of crane style, and much of his personal experience, Mr. McSweeney created his own system of kenpo. Some people may argue that it is no longer Kenpo. Well lets take a look at our history.
- Mitose - James Mitose brought Kenpo to the USA. He is the 21st Great Grandmaster of Kosho/Kenpo. As he spent years teaching his art, there was sure to be changes and additions. He later called it Kenpo/Jiujutsu. Is it still KENPO?
- Chow - William K. S. Chow learned Kenpo from Mitose. It has been said that he added some new techniques to his Kenpo. Made some modifications. First to call it Kenpo Karate. Is it still KENPO?
- Parker - Edmund Parker learned Kenpo from Chow. He created new techniques, created a whole set of principles, had forms created from Chinese Kung Fu, and continued to make changes, modifications, subtractions, and additions until his passing. He took his experience incorporated this also. A pioneer in Kenpo. Is it still KENPO?
- McSweeney- John McSweeney learned Kenpo from Parker. He brought Kenpo to Ireland. Later taught Kenpo in New York then Illinois. He added strikes from Chinese Kung Fu Crane Style, made more changes, modifications, subtractions, and additions to this date. He took his experience incorporated this also. Is it still KENPO?
Let me give you a few more examples. Al Tracy created his own system of Kenpo similar to Parker Kenpo, yet also very different. Tom Saviano (a black belt under Mr. McSweeney, a four decade veteran in the martial arts, and my instructor) has modified and created his own form in Kenpo also.
The fact is Mr. McSweeney received his 7th Degree Black in Kenpo Karate. Was he ranked in Parker Kenpo and qualified to teach Parker Kenpo as a 7th. No, Mr. McSweeney would be the first to admit this. So look at his credentials, he’s the seventh person to achieve a Parker black belt, he’s the Father of Irish Kenpo, he’s the first to make the IKKA international, he’s been in the martial arts for over 50 years, and has done more in a life time than many of us dream of. Al Tracy once introduced him as a "Living Legend".
Click to see Mr. McSweeney’s Certificate from Mr. Parker in
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RE: McSweeney's 7th from Ed Parker by Zoran Sevic - Mar. 6th, 2007, 3:24:57 PM
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Zoran
Posts: 140
Joined: Mar. 4th, 2007,
From: Chicago Area, Illinois
Status: offline
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Another one I considered editing. I was pretty steamed when a wrote this article as I was basically called an idiot for even suggesting McSweeney has a 7th from Ed Parker.
On a side note
- the certificate has been verified by another Kenpoist
- Really this is a ranking in Kenpo Karate, not the system of Ed Parker's American Kenpo. John McSweeney was usually the first to admit that he no longer does his old teacher's system.
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