John Whitfield Craig

MARTIAL ARTS USA^®

I was born on Dec.10, 1957 in Hempstead, New York. I began boxing at the age of eight years old. I was a member of my junior high school wrestling team at Lawrence RD. Junior High in Hempstead New York from 1970 to 1973 were I was undefeated and all county Junior division in Nassau County N.Y. in 1973.

I began my formal training in the martial arts in Hakkoryu Ju Jitsu in 1972 with Sensei Ted Rossi. During this time I was an assistant instructor to Mr. Mike Ursitti in the Town of Hempstead's Parks program. I received my Shodan under Mike Ursitti and Ted Rossi in 1978 as a member of the Hokkoryu Federation. I received my Nidan in 1980.

In the early 80's I once again turned my attention to boxing under the instruction of Mr. Arthur Mercante world famous referee while still teaching self defense courses for the Town of Hempstead Dept. of Parks and Recreation.

Throughout the 1980's I studied the martial arts with a variety of people, primairly with Sensei Felix Vazquez. Shehan Vazquez holds ranks in Koga Ryu Ninjutsu and Hakkoryu Jujitsu as well as other arts. In the late 1980's I began to study Goshin Ryu Aiki Ju Jitsu formally with Shihan John Lopez in Brooklyn, N.Y. I received a Nidan from Sensei Lopez in 1994 and a Sandan in 1996.

I was also awarded the title of Renshi in 1996 by Shihan Felix Vazquez with the rank of Yodan. I was promoted to Godan by Shihan Vazquez in 1998 with the title of Menku Okudan Renshi.

I am a member of the Bushido Zazen International Society as well as the Vaz Martial Arts Federation USA and Martial Arts USA.

In the past I have taught Ju Jitsu for the Town of Hempstead, Covenant House New York, The Lomax Institute and I was an instructor with the Stony Brook University Bushudo Club at which I was a student from !994 until 1998. I received my Multiple Disciplinary Degree in History, Philosophy and Sociology with a minor in European Art History from Stony Brook University in 1998.

In 2005, I moved to Corinth, Mississippi. In 2007, I was awarded 7th Dan Shihan with the European Budo Council.

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