Internationally Recognized Second Degree Testing October 6 and 7, 2000 An internationally recognized testing for second degree black belt was held at the American Martial Arts Institute on Friday and Saturday October 6 and 7. Upon the request of Grand Master Frank Dux, known for his world records in kumite, breaking and his life story made into the movie called "Blood Sport," two of his top black belts were tested. Grand Master Dux was quoted as saying he brought his two students from California to New York to be tested by Grand Master Crandall and his school because of the international reputation as the only fully documented American style and school in the world. One of the students tested was Shihan Todd Lanman, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Neurological Surgery, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. Dr. Lanman is 43 and an associate clinical professor of surgery at UCLA Medical Center in California. He has been in professional practice for 10 years, and has a private office at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. With 13 years of martial arts training (the last 10 as a student under Grand Master Frank Dux) he has acquired the rank of fifth degree black belt in Dux Ryu Ninjitsu. For Shihan Lanman although already a fifth degree in his school, the recognition of second degree by an outside school such as the American Martial Arts Institute is a very prestigious achievement. The second student, Sensei Larry Eklund, has been a Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Instructor for 13 years with Oxnard Police Department, Southern California. Officer Eklund has settled into the Dux Ryu system and earned his black belt and title Sensei under Grand Master Dux. Along with his love for the martial arts and five years training Japanese style, plus three years under Grand Master Dux in Dux Ryu, he has enjoyed various other types of physical training. This includes the winning of gold medals in the Scottish Highland Games, running in marathons, and competing in the "Toughest Competitor Alive" competition at the World's Police and Fire Olympic Games. These two individuals physically performed the unique style of Dux Ryu and the fundamental skills of the martial arts including katas, tumbling, and self-defense. Also required was the ability to answer questions to a five member panel headed by Grand Master Clifford C. Crandall Jr., and four fifth degree title instructors of the American Martial Arts Institute. The panel was comprised of Master Jill Crandall, Master Allen Hillicoss, Chief Instructor Wayne Handy and Senior Instructor Anne Petkovsek. This oral presentation included their views on the martial arts as it pertains to the youth of our country, a martial artists responsibility to the community and the philosophy of the martial arts and its history in general. The test was concluded by two one-hour lectures on the Dux Ryu system to groups of martial arts students and a detailed presentation to over 50 black and brown belts in an evening seminar Saturday October 7th, at the Mohawk YMCA in Central New York State. Grand Master Crandall stated at the presentation of certificates Saturday evening that Shihan Lanman and Sensei Eklund both passed the testing with impressive demonstrations of skill and leadership. Both individuals were recognized as Second Degree Black Belts in the realm of the martial arts by the American Martial Arts Institute and presented certificates verifying this rank and testing. Grand Master Frank Dux received a collectors constitutional mint coin from Grand Master Crandall for his constant efforts to bring quality martial arts skill to those he works with and the years of patriotic dedication he has given to our country. The picture is left to right, Shihan Todd Lanman, Grand Master Frank Dux, Grand Master Clifford Crandall Jr. and Sensei Larry Eklund.