~~~~~~~~ SAD NEWS ~~~~~~~~
The Death of a True Martial Artist
Soke Richard Hallman

Last night, my dear friend, Soke Richard Hallman, passed away. Soke Hallman was a great martial arts master, a semi-professional bodybuilder who was completely ripped, and a loyal friend who stood loyally by his friends come hell or high water.

His knowledge on the martial arts was second to none. He absolutely loved martial arts and developed his own system which was based totally on realistic, street-effective techniques. Soke Hallman was proud of his lineage and could trace his back to Japan in short order. He trained with some of the best and was a man of honor, character, integrity, and honesty. He lived for martial arts and his friends.

In 2017, Soke Hallman honored me with the official title of Shihan. He was quickly attacked by my enemies who wanted to destroy me, and being a man of honor, Soke Hallman sought the truth. He did an extensive background check on me and my martial arts background, and found that both my personal life and my martial arts experienced was exactly as I had said it was. And he stood by me and the title he honored me with.

When he refused to turn his back on me, my haters attacked him even more viciously, trying to smear his name, as well as mine, with every lie you can imagine. They even attacked his family. But still Soke Hallman would not back down because he knew the truth and the truth was what mattered to him. He was my loyal friend to the very end. Even under heavy duress, he stood firm and refused to turn his back on his friends. THAT is COURAGE. THAT is CHARACTER. And THAT is HONOR!

I have been out of touch lately, as I am doing the final edits on my new book. Soke Hallman called me last week, but did not get me. I called him back on Friday, but did not get him on the phone. We played phone tag one more day on Monday, but did not reach each other. Two days later he was gone home.

This is another lesson to never put off talking to your friends and family. You never know when the chance to do so will be gone forever. Live life to the fullest every day of your life! Don’t procrastinate calling that old friend or your family members. None of us is promised tomorrow; you only live in the present moment. Make it count!

I am very thankful to Soke Richard Hallman for his never-ending loyalty, friendship, advice, and unwavering support. He was a true martial arts master and I wish we had many more like him in the martial arts world today. Soke Hallman held strong to his Christian faith and never waivered. He was a man that I had great respect for and that I owe a debt of gratitude and honor.

You will be missed my friend!

DEEP BOW ~ 🙏

Your friend and brother,

Shihan Bohdi Sanders