I have been very fortunate in my lifetime to have trained or met many Grandmasters. Fortunately for me, everyone that I have encountered has be very approachable. It seems that the ones who have truly something to say are the most genuine, because they have nothing to prove. It seems that lately there is an overabundance of Grandmasters. Not long ago , I was watching a program on martial arts and the host of the show was asking a question and said,” Sifu , if……” whereupon the host was stopped in mid sentence by the host, ” not Sifu, I am Grandmaster ” . I found this very interesting. One of my students showed me this brochure of a local martial arts instructor who had about 18 years experience and he advertises himself as Grandmaster. What are the criteria for using the title Grandmaster? Personally what someone calls himself is his prerogative , it is up to the individual to live up to the title that he represents.
Grandmaster should be reserved to those who have made Great contributions to the development of a Martial Art. A title like Grandmaster should not be something that one aspires to be called, but should be bestowed upon a individual because of his humility and generosity in perpetuating a skill.. I for one find it most satisfying to be called a coach , look at Pop Warner or John Wooden , legends but not Grandmasters.
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