|
| |
Other Instructors
Menkyo Kaiden-Shihan
Chris LaMonica
Menkyo Kaiden-Shihan Chris LaMonica, along with "Soke" Michael
J. LaMonica, have raised 5 daughters and are very experienced
in teaching the Youth students and Adults.
Sensei Chris was the first non-Japanese woman to receive
Shihan in Hakko Ryu.
Shihan David Flosdorf
Menkyo Kaiden Shihan David Flosdorf is one of the instructors at the Eighth Light Dojo. He began studying Hakko Denshin Ryu under Soke Lamonica at the Honbu Dojo in 1994 after graduating from the University of Akron. While a student at the University, David was exposed to Hakko Denshin Ryu through the self-defense class offered as a Physical Education credit. David was introduced to Sensei Lamonica by Mr. Mark Skitzki, a fellow student at the University and a Shodan. Shihan Flosdorf was promoted to Shihan in 2002. When not studying jujutsu, David works as an engineer and enjoys spending time with his wife, Elizabeth, his three dogs, and even finds time to fish on occasion.
Mary Allen
A native of Akron, Ohio although my family has lived for some time in Luxembourg. When I began attending Eighth Light Dojo at age 13, I fell in love with the homey environment and excellence of the instruction. Although I seemed to shock people with eccentric hairstyles and the inability to match my socks, I was pulled along by the sweeping desire displayed by my companions to learn more and better the art that we studied. During my four years of high school at OHDELA and the University of Akron, I nourished other loves such as long distance running and Spanish.
Currently I study Spanish Language and Literature in the humanities department at the University of Navarre in Pamplona, Spain. I hope to frequent the dojo in Copley, Ohio whenever I am lucky enough to be on American soil in the future.
Erica Flemmer
Erica Flemmer is a Nidan with the Eighth Light Dojo. She is
an art teacher and jewelry designer.
Joe Davis
Joe Davis has been a law enforcement officer for 27 years,
serving as lieutenant in charge of patrol operations and
training with the Richfield Police Department. He is an instructor
in various police topics including; Cultural Diversity, Ethics,
Crisis Intervention, Traffic Stops, ADAP and multiple weapons
systems. He is assigned to the Summit County Child Abduction
Response Team as Assistant Commander of Search and Rescue.
Joe attended the University of Akron, the University of Virginia and is a 2006 graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Joe has been a student of Hakko Denshin Ryu Jujutsu since
2003 and finds Hakko Denshin Ryu perfectly suited for law
enforcement applications. Joe currently holds the rank of
Nidan.
P.J. Wright
Rank: Sandan
Eighth Light Dojo Member since 2003. Currently instructs
Hakko Denshin Ryu based Self-Defense Courses at the University
of Akron. A Deputy for the Summit County Sheriff’Äôs Office
for the past 6 years in the Corrections Division.
CERT Leader. Holder of OPOTA Instructor Certifications in ASP Baton, Handcuffing and Defensive Tactics. Former Track and Field Coach at the University of Akron. Proud father of current HDRJJ green belt Daniel Wright.
Ed Wade
Edward S. Wade, Jr. is practicing criminal attorney in Cleveland Metropolitan Area. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Vietnam, He is an avid cyclist (now an old timer). He was a ventriloquist, magician, and is now trying to learn to juggle and play the harmonica. He is also a member of the Eight Light Dojo where he hold the rank of Sandan.
Don Fox
Joined Eighth Light Dojo 2003. Achieved Shodan May 2005; Yondan May 2010. Occupation: Master Carpenter. Goals: To obtain Shihan with Eighth Light Dojo and own his own school (dojo).
Alisa Fox
Joined Eighth Light Dojo in 2004. Received Black Belt December 2009. Currently a high school student at Norton High School, Class of 2012. Goals: To become Shihan with Eighth Light Dojo.
Don Fox II
Joined Eighth Light Dojo in 2004. Received Shodan July 2007; Nidan April 2010. Currently works at Magic City Drive In. Goals: To become a Shihan with Eighth Light Dojo and complete his college degree.
Fred Masuoka
Joined Eighth Light Dojo 2006 with his son Joshua (currently a green belt in HDJJ). Achieved Shodan July 2009. Occupation: Technology Trainer with Akron Public Schools with additional experience as a classroom teacher with Lighthouse Academy and Chinle Unified School District in Chinle, Arizona. Current Treasurer of the Eighth Light Dojo.
|
 |
| |
Top |
|
| |
|
|
Instructors
Michael J. LaMonica (Soke)
Menkyo Kaiden-Shihan San Dai Kichu
Director of the Hakko Denshin Ryu Jujutsu Federation,
North and South America
Michael J. LaMonica is one of those exceptional people - A man
with experience, enthusiasm, and leadership qualities obtained
through 28 years of law enforcement that has made him the man he
is today. Mike was born one of three (3) children in Akron, Ohio.
His parents of Italian decent were born in Akron, Ohio and his
father worked all his life as an Attorney, both for the City of
Akron, and in private practice. |
|
 |
| |
|
|
A Little Background and History
In 1959, young Mike LaMonica joined the City of Akron's
Police Department where he stayed for 21 years, working as a
patrolman, in the Detective Bureau, Department of Community Relations,
in command of the Intelligence Unit, S.W.A.T. Unit, and was assistant
Director of the Training Bureau. During these 21 years, Mike
earned himself a reputation as a dedicated public servant, and
an officer anyone would be honored to have as a partner. Mike
also received many awards for Police Heroism and Public Service.
Among his best assignments, besides teaching young law enforcements
students, both at the Police Academy and at The University Of
Akron, was guarding V.I.P.'s that flowed through the City of
Akron and North Eastern Ohio. Mike has worked with the Secret
Service, the F.B.I., and County Agencies during political visits
and has also guarded people such as Danny Thomas, who came to
Ohio for fundraisers and personal appearances. These duties placed
Mike in contact with Presidents Reagan, Carter, Nixon, and Governors
Celeste and Rhodes of Ohio, and many others that came to Ohio,
plus many other show business figures.
Michael J. LaMonica, a strapping man of 6'4",
is not only a "crack shot", but in the opinion of
his fellow officers, can handle the toughest of the tough.
In May 1980, LaMonica left his post with the Akron Police Department
to take on yet another challenge, Chief of the Fairlawn Police
Department. Although this community is small in population,
it is the fastest growing commercial area in Summit County,
Ohio. Along with his dedicated Police work, Mike has raised
his family of five (5) children, all girls. His wife, Chris,
is a 6th Degree Black Belt (Shihan) in Hakko Denshin Ryu JuJutsu.
Michael J. LaMonica has also received many honors over the
years. Some of which were:
- Knight Cavalier - National Association of
Chiefs of Police
- Liberty and Justice Award - National Association
of Chiefs of Police
- Special Citation Award - National Association
of Chiefs of Police
- Jaycee Man of the Year - 1972
- Master Firearms Award - 1978 (F.B.I. Academy)
- 1st Degree Black Belt - Chinese Kempo
- 2nd Degree Black Belt - Judo
- World Jujutsu Federation - 9th Degree Black
Belt
- Hakko Ryu Jujutsu - Rank of Kaiden-Shihan
San Dai Kichu - The highest ranking non-oriental in the World.
- Hakko Denshin Ryu Jujutsu - Was given
the title of "Soke" in August 2001, by Menkyo
Kaiden-Shihan San Dai Kichu Antonio Garcia (European
Director of HDRJJ) and
Menkyo Kaiden-Shihan San Dai Kichu Yasuhiro Irie (Japanese
Director of HDRJJ) - both of the KoKoDo Renmei Association
of Japan.
As the first non-Japanese
to ever receive the highest rank for technical excellence,
San Dai Kichu (three great pillars), he was often relied
upon for council by the founder of Hakko Ryu, "Soke" Ryuho
Okuyama. So trusted is he that in August of 1981, he received
a certificate naming him as a personal advisor to Mr. Okuyama,
who has recently passed away (1987).
Mike began his martial arts training while
serving in the Marine Corps in the late 1950's. Then in the
1960's, he had an opportunity to meet the man who introduced
Hakko Ryu to the United States, James A. Benko. As a
Police Officer, he quickly saw the value of Hakko Ryu
techniques for law enforcement.
Mike began training with Mr. Benko shortly after they
met, and continued until 1975 when he was invited by the
Okuyama family to live with them as an uchideshi (special
disciple). Upon completion of his study, he was awarded
the certificate and Makimono (hand scroll) of Menkyu Shihan
(Master Instructor License). In 1979, at the invitation
of Mr. Okuyama, Mike returned to Japan to complete the
most advanced training given in Hakko Ryu, and was awarded
the Kaiden (deepest mysteries) and San Dai Kichu (three
great pillars) Makimono.
Mike, together with his wife Chris (who was
the first non-Japanese women to receive Shihan in Hakko Ryu),
teach various law enforcement agencies in Ohio, and Mike
has served as an instructor at the F.B.I. Academy. To compliment
his Hakko Ryu and police experience, Mike trained in Tokyo
with the Dai Yon Kidootai (#4 Riot Police) under Tsunemori
Kaminoda. Additionally, he studied jo (4 foot 2 inch - stick)
techniques under Takaji Shimizu and he studied the Masaki-ryu
Manrikigusari (10,000 Power Chain) under Yumio Nawa. In the
United States, Mike is a graduate of the F.B.I. Academy where
among other subjects he completed the course in Anti-Sniper
and Survival Tactics. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Secret
Service Dignitary Protection School. At present, Mike is
the Director and Chief Instructor of the U.S. and Canadian
Branch of Hakko Denshin Ryu JuJutsu, while James Benko acts
as an advisor. As a team, they have trained others to become
instructors, and have guided the growth of Hakko Ryu in America.
|
|
|
|
