Along with the revitalization of the WHKDIA, the last few months have brought the promotion of many WHKD black belts to levels more in accordance with their skill and time in the system.  These promotions include:

Teddy Sotelo 8th                   

Eric Lee 7th                      

Malia Bernal 7th                 

Mark Dacascos 5th            

Mike Sandos 6th                

Ken Lambert 6th                

Cristian Wulf 6th                

Dasos Efstathadis 6th         

Michael Timmerman 6th       

Joern Tiedge 6th             

Ben Fajardo 6th                 

Ray Johnson 5th                

Emanuel Bettencourt 5th         

Winfried Joszko 5th                 

Doug Jones 5th (in 2006)      

Julio Hernandez 5th.            

Karen Sheperd 4th              

Jeff Cirillo 3rd                    

Jason Goldsmith  3rd         

John Knutson 4th            

Some recent promotion events were held throughout the country. In California, Ted Sotello (8th), Eric Lee (7th) and Julio Hernandez (5th) received their certificates in August.

From left to right, Ted Sotello, GM Al Dacascos, Eric Lee, and Julio Hernandez 

In Oakland in September, Doug Jones was promoted to 5th degree, along with two of Sifu Doug's black belts to second degree: Damond Thoupe and Terry Baruti.

 Above: picture after the seminar/promotion at Sifu Doug Jones' school in Oakland, CA