3 Pillars of Chi-Ryu JiujitsuMind, body, and breath are personified by the 3 founding Master Senseis

Grand Master
Isham A. Latimer

AWARDS

  • Isshinryu Hall of Fame: “The Spirit of Isshin-ryu Award”
  • Grand Master Don Nagle’s “American Okinawan Karate Association, Inc.” Hall of Fame Award as Master Instructor
  • Isshin-ryu Hall of Fame: "Sensei of Sensei Award"
  • Inducted into the Isshinryu Hall of Fame 2003.
  • New York City Martial Arts/Peace Officer Recognition Award 2011
  • Grand Master Don Nagle American Okinawan Karate Association, Inc. Hall of Fame Inductee under the category of Visionary Martial Artis of the Year 2017

CERTIFICATIONS

  • New York State Department of Homeland Security (Enhanced Security Guard Train-the-Trainer Program) Instructor Certification
  • New York State Department of Homeland Security, National Incident Management System (NIMS). IS-700 Certification
  • New York State Department of Homeland Security (ICS-100 Introduction to ICS Certification)
  • New York State Division of Parole General Topics Instructor
  • New York State Division of Parole Defensive Tactics Instructor
  • New York State Division of Parole Firearms Instructor
  • New York State Division of Parole Monadnock Baton Instructor
  • New York State Division of Parole Glock Armorer
  • New York State Division of Crimina Justice Services General Topics Security Guard Instructor
  • New York State Division of Crimina Justice Services Armed Security Guard Instructor

TIMELINE

  • Earned Associate Degree in Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1968 and BFA in Fine Arts from SUNY at Stony Brook under an art scholarship in September of 1972. In 1979 awarded MSW from the Stony Brook School of Social Work.
  • Began training in 1972 under Masters Robert Salay (7th Degree in Judo and 6th Degree in Isshinryu karate) and Master Joe Droual (6th Degree in Isshinryu and 6th Degree in Seiryoku Jujutsu). Promoted to Sho Dan in 1975.
  • Began training under Master Malachi Lee (6th Degree in Isshinryu) in 1975.
  • Proficient in Isshinryu, Modern Arnis, Hsing I Liu Ho Ba Fa Chuan, Kobujutsu, Jujitsu as well as hand, knife and firearms techniques.
  • Academic counselor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 1979. Tenured professor in 1985
  • Became Parole Officer with The NYS Division of Parole in 1992. Elevated to Defensive Tactics Instructor.
  • Elevated to 9th Degree Black Belt by Grandmaster Walter "Toby" Cooling, founder of the Order of Isshinryu, in 2011.
  • In his honor, the "Isham Latimer Award for Instructional Excellence in Defensive Tactics" was established by the NYS Division of Parole and the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervisions in 2016.

Master
John Costanzo

TIMELINE

  • U.S. Army veteran. Served in Vietnam from 1968 – 1970. Achieved the rank of Sergeant E5 as a combat infantry squad leader for the 1st Infantry Division.
  • Received Bronze Star and Army Commendation medal for valor.
  • Graduated from Dowling College in 1976 with a BA majoring in Art Education under the GI Bill.
  • One of the Three Pillars (Creator/Developer) of Chi Ryu Jujitsu. Trained under Grand Master Isham Latimer since 1979.
  • Proficient in Isshinryu, Modern Arnis, Hsing I Liu Ho Ba Fa Chuan, Kobujutsu, Jujitsu as well as hand, knife and firearms techniques.
  • Martial arts instructor under the banner of the Order of Isshinryu for the last 30 plus years. Has a dojo at the Woodbridge Community Center in New Jersey.
  • Worked as a freelance illustrator, created storyboards and comprehensive art work for various commercial firms in New York City.
  • Worked at "AT&T" in New York and New Jersey for 24 years. Promoted through the ranks to senior technical management programmer in charge of designing information based intranet web pages and original programs.
  • Taught Computer Science AP Java classes for 12 years at the St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen, NJ retiring in September of 2016.
  • Elevated to 8th Degree Black Belt by Grandmaster Walter "Toby" Cooling, founder of the Order of Isshinryu.
  • 40 years plus martial arts instructor

Master
John McDonald

TIMELINE

  • First African-American to graduate with BFA in Acting from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1968.
  • Third African -American actor (professional name: John Danelle) to sign contract for a day time drama in 1972. Contract player on ABC's "All My Children" from 1972-1982.
  • One of the Three Pillars (Creator/Developer) of Chi Ryu Jujitsu. Began training under Master Malachi Lee in 1972. Elevated to Sho Dan in 1977. Continues to train under Grand Master Isham A. Latimer.
  • Proficient in Isshinryu, Modern Arnis, Hsing I Liu Ho Ba Fa Chuan, Kobujutsu, Jujitsu as well as hand, knife and firearms techniques.
  • Teaches privately at his home dojo.
  • Co-produced and originated the role of Val Johnson in Dennis McIntyre's play, Split Second. The critically acclaimed play is included in the Burns and Mantle THEATRE YEARBOOK: THE BEST PLAYS OF 1984-1985.
  • Developed the concept and co-wrote the 1993, feature film titled: By The Sword which stars Eric Roberts and Academy Award Winner, F.Murray Abraham.
  • First African-American Director of Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts from 1993 - 2000.
  • First African-American Director of Operations at Carnegie Hall from 2000-2002.
  • Retired in 2002.
  • Elevated to 7th Degree Black Belt by Grandmaster Walter "Toby" Cooling, founder of the Order of Isshinryu