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| Hear what other elite and grandmasters have to say... | ||||||
| [Carlos Machao] [Burton Richardson] [Ted Tabura] [Larry Tatum] [SIGUNG Kailani Koa] | ||||||
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Dr. Harfouche and I
met in 2001 at one of his seminars in Dallas
Texas, through our mutual friend, Burton
Richardson. Since that time of meeting
a great friendship has sprung out of
our passion for the martial arts. Dr. Harfouche is adamant about continuing his training and furthering himself for the purpose of training others. After seven years of practice and training, Dr. Harfouche has become a Black Belt in Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, in 2007. Dr. Harfouche is one of the few that had the privilege of training directly under a legend, Master David German. German is undoubtedly one of the pioneers in his system, and has touched the lives of many students. Dr. Harfouche was ranked by the source of Germans system, the man who originally innovated the martial arts which Dr. Harfouche for so long has been dedicated to. It is a rare event for one to receive such a high ranking belt (10th Dan), and certainly meaningful. Its like learning how to play golf under Tiger Woods or basketball under Michael Jordan! Martial arts is not a hobby for someone who has been dedicated to it for most of his life. Dr. Harfouche carries a lot more than a limited commitment when it comes to the degree of his involvement and the intensity of his training. It is an undying passion! Way before I met him for the first time, he had already reached a high level of mastership of the Chi-na and Karate styles he had learned starting as a teenager. To take in consideration the amount of time and energy his profession as the head of a fast growing ministry consumes, some would consider impossible that he can still manage time and be as committed as he is to his martial arts training. From all the students who I have taught, there is no one who has trained a private class, eight hours long in a single day. That shows me something, that Dr. Harfouche measures no sacrifice in order to sharpen his skills on the mat, and he does so with an ease and joy. His hungry for knowledge is not limited to the mat only, since in his few spare hours, books and videos keep his mind focused upon the subject of his concern, which when not in the word of God and his family, certainly falls into the martial arts. I have yet to meet someone who makes such an effort, and never ceases to stay on course, despite worldwide crusades and a full time schedule. Dr. Harfouche has my respect and utmost admiration. I know that in his mind, there is no limit to what someone can reach, and he is a living proof of it. --Master Carlos Machado Dallas, TX |
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It has indeed been my pleasure to have the privilege of working with Dr. Christian Harfouche. Here is a man who could have stopped training in the martial arts decades ago, due to his advanced knowledge and ranking. But Dr. Harfouche is not one to rest on his laurels. Instead, Dr. Harfouche constantly works to improve himself, his system, and his teaching method in order to better serve his students. That is a generous instructor! I have developed a four tiered choke program that is designed to equip students and instructors with a functional, highly advanced system of getting to and finishing a wide variety of fight-ending chokes. I am very pleased to say that Dr. Harfouche is the very first person to become an instructor in this system. Dr. Harfouche is a shining example of someone who does not merely seek knowledge, but primarily seeks to develop the skills necessary to be able to implement his knowledge in a real situation. It is no use learning something unless you can actually use it, and Dr. Harfouche has spent the necessary time sparring so that he can apply these techniques in real time. On top of his dedication to learning, Dr. Harfouche also shares his findings with me, so that I can benefit from his research as well. Again, he is a generous instructor! I applaud Dr. Harfouche for his commitment to excellence, and I look forward to meeting up with him again soon.
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Master David German was
a pioneer in his art and a very personal man
who earn his grandmaster rank by hard work,
integrity, honesty and humility.
German would not just train anyone in a 10th
Dan rank in Tai Jutsu, for a man to be
trained up in this high rank under German
would have to have the same character and
values as German.
Harfouche was
obviously truly that person.
Harfouche
trained with one of the best.
People have forgotten about the old school,
like David German.
We must not
forget where we come from.
Its people like
David German that laid the foundation for
the martial arts in America.
The martial
arts are so new to America, as they have
only been here since 1955.
The soldiers
would go to Vietnam and come back black
belts.
Those were the
guys who brought this amazing art to
America!
Harfouche captures the old time styles with
Shorite Tai Jutsu-he is a good reminder of
the foundation and where the art comes from.
Today the arts
has become a buffet of styles…
too many
styles.
He is one who
has managed to bring in the tradition style
to a contemporary world, as he is one who
has truly stayed the path and followed in
Germans footsteps.
I, personally love everything about Shorite
Tai Jutsu.
It is not
strange, it is right on!
There are many
instructors out there that talk the talk,
but do not walk the walk.
I’m honored to
say that Dr. Harfouche is one of those who
actually walks what he talks.
He is truly the
general in Shorite Tai Jutsu and truly the
heir of Tai Karate. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK MY BROTHA. KEEP STRIVING, DON’T LET IT DIE!!!
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It is truly and honor for Dr. Harfouche to receive a 10th Dan from David German. David was one of the great pioneers of our time in the martial arts, as he studied under another great pioneer, Ed Parker. With over 50 years into the martial arts German was able to master the traditional yet take on many other systems and styles, such as kenpo, jutjitsu, kung fu and kung fu weaponry. He was also a tremendous, and I repeat, tremendous mentor of ALL styles, a tremendous fighter and warrior at heart, yet he had a gentle side that displayed compassion and love towards all peoples. He really epitomized what a real master is in the martial arts, which is quick to help others reach their goals. I met German in 1996 at the airport in Crete, Greece during a seminar. We just happened to run into one another. We just hit it off right from the beginning, with our love for the martial arts and life. There was “energy” between us. German was a real comedian, we did a lot of laughing together. During our friendship, we rarely talked about martial arts, we talked about life. German was a very spiritual man, and loved God. We both new our purpose on this earth. Simply to teach others what we have achieved. David German obviously recognized this gift in Dr. Christian Harfouche, or he would not of awarded him a 10th Dan in Tai Karate. Nor would German award something so great without the hard work and effort that goes behind achieving such an honor. There was obviously another man willing to sacrifice his life to teach others, and that is why German chose Harfouche to carry on the torch. A true Master is known by his ability to teach and raise others up.
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I have nothing but great
respect for Dr. Harfouche. What an
honor and a blessing to be trained by such a
legend as David German!!! Dr.
Harfouche truly carries the torch of Master
German. I assume that the reason
Master German chose Dr. Harfouche as the
heir of Tai Karate is due to the integrity,
and humility Dr. Harfouche walks in, along
with hard work and commitment to the arts. In observing Grandmaster Harfouche's movement in applications of technique, I'm undoubtedly reminded of my uncles form of Brother Abe Kamahoahoa. Dr. Harfouche's Shorite Tai Jutsu system carries the old school Kenpo. His application of self defense techniques in joint dislocation and locks are very effective! In my training in martial arts, I love the old school, get to the point system that carries the skills to finish a fight. The most important aspect Dr. Harfouche carries is his love for the Word of God, and knowledge of The Truth. There is nobody out there like Dr. Harfouche! Gotta hold onto the torch and keep on runnin!
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