06/23/2026
The June 13th Shodan black belt test was attended by many an iconic/historical Butokukan black belt. There are no action videos, but all in the group photos and other photos reflect the energy and spirit of that Saturday afternoon. The food and fellowship afterward was also great!
In the group shot down front from the left, is Pt. Orchard Butokukan Dojo brown belt, Robin Bishop. To her left is BKO Dojo page administrator and unofficial "den mother," Jean Austin; then "Inspector" Peadar Sanches; Green belt Paul Heathcock; BKO lead black belt, Sensei Doug Wolfard. And, lastly, historical Butokukan karate icon, Sensei Paul Adamski.
Second row, from the left in the all black gi is the BKO's "Goblin King"... I mean, Sensei Tony Hernandez; off his left shoulder, standing tall with arms folded is newly tested 3rd Degree BKO black belt Steven Harader; off Sensei Harader's left shoulder is the Shelton Butokukan Dojo's lead black belt and icon, Tim Ford. To Sensei Ford's left and slightly in front of him is the newest BKO shodan black belt, Vaughn Collier. To Sensei Collier's left is the black belt and author Soke Hill used to call, "an unusual martial artist," Dave Burrows. To Sensei Burrows' left is the lead BKO Dojo master, Shihan Tony Adamski. Off Shihan Adamski's left shoulder is Sensei Ken Parker; off Sensei Parker's left shoulder and slightly in front is the BKO's other master in an all black gi, AKA "the perfectionist," Shihan Francisco Labalan. Behind him, and hidden from view is BKO sensei David Diprete.
In the final row against the mirror is "game" new white belt and tough aggressor Tom; to his left the advanced green belt, Laurie; next is game aggressor Peter Wagner. To Wagner's left the tallest Butokukan black belt in the photo, and the only Butokukan belt belt to ever defeat Dan Anderson in a tournament when both were in their prime, Sensei Dan Morrison. To Sensei Morrison's left in a black baseball cap is Shelton Butokukan icon, Sensei Webber. To Sensei Webber's left and just behind Sensei Parker's left shoulder is the Pt. Orchard Butokukan Dojo's lead black belt, Sensei Chuck Hesse. Last, and to the right of hidden BKO sensei Diprete, is Butokukan legend, black belt David Leonard.
In the second smaller group photo, from the left is Shihan Tony Adamski, then Sensei Ken Parker; then Sensei Vaugn Collier, and lastly, no longer hidden, "the professional," Sensei David Diprete. The "almost" retired science teacher is an active master in another martial art, who uses his teaching skills effectively on us often.
The other two pics are clear and detailed and speak for themselves.
