I would like to congratulate Robert Sullivan on his 8th Dan - Hes a nice old boy, but
hes got some funny ideas.

I was at one of the full time conference, one of the people asked him who grades him. He honestly replied, fair play to him I grade myself. He went on to say
that nobody grades him and that for his 5thDan he just added up the time and graded himself.

He then double graded to 7th Dan a few years later. His 7th Dan was awarded by his highly paid lieutenants.

His original gradings are shrouded in mystery- apparently a nidan was exchanged for a sponsorship for someone to live in oz. Bob the businessman would probably do this.

I once spoke to a really well respected Goju Kai practitioner about Bob, he said he trained with him. He gave me a wry smile and changed the subject

i think we've covered kancho bobs grade before - way back in the mists of time, but what the heck.... I think he got his nidan in Goju, dunno about any dodgy dealings about that though. Im trying to remember who he trained under, i think it was someone fairly well-known....
It's fairly common for school founders to grade themselves, trouble is, if the grade isnt recognised by a properly accredited body, then it aint worth nothing!

I believe it was shodan-ho in GoJuKai and Nidan in Keishinkan.

If you read his biography he was so busy chasing his business and making money I dont know how he found the time to train.

The proof is in the pudding, look at his standard of Karate. Poor.

He is over 60 but Ive seen 6thdan plus lots and lots sharper, you could argue the point that its about knowledge. But he has no knowledge just check out you tube.

He hasn't even picked up that is star student Shihan, breathes like a boxer when he does karate.

At the end of the day it's whether you have the respect of your peers, not what grade you hold, that matters.


Mick

at the end of the day you are correct- have seen better nidans than some 6thdan it depends what they have trained in.

But a while ago a gkr instructor left and started his own club- what followed was a letter by GKR claiming that this instructor was bogus.
He didnt have the experience and how would grade him ?

Pot kettle black calling the ?