by Robert Kaiser

After the recent loss of Sensei Mark Malek, NAJJA Board president, Sensei Ryan Dean, recognized the importance of keeping Mark’s dojo open and went to work. Dean gave the Oldsmar dojo a full refurbishing and is now conducting training there as a second location along with his Largo, FL dojo.

The Oldsmar dojo has a long and memorable history as it was our Master Frank Gorman’s dojo for many years before he moved to New Haven, Connecticut.

by Robert Kaiser

In less than two years the Association lost 2 of its longtime members, John “JJ” Jackson, and Sensei Mark Malek. Both of these beloved and dedicated Uechi Ryu practitioners seemed to become ill one day and were gone the next. While we know little about their actual diagnoses, we do know they were excellent students of Uechi Ryu and were loved by all who knew them.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and our entire association, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of JJ and Sensei Mark. They will be sorely missed.

Congratulations Gorman-San Karate Dojo!   It has been 10 years since the dojo relocated to the current location in Oldsmar, Florida.    Kevin Kilgore —