The new year brought great excitement for our school, when Grandmaster Crandall received a call from one of his early teachers and very close friends. This call came from Florida, the head office of the American Kang Duk Won Association, and the President and Grandmaster himself, Raymond P. Arndt. After a few phone calls back and forth, catching up on old times, Grandmaster Crandall scheduled a trip to visit Grandmaster Arndt.

Grandmaster Crandall was in Florida January 16th, 17th and 18th, sharing martial arts philosophies and knowledge, creating a bond through the cooperation of Grandmaster Arndt, that will allow their two schools to share information for many years to come.

Grandmaster Crandall and Grandmaster Arndt

After hours of sharing martial arts knowledge, Grandmaster Arndt invited Grandmaster Crandall to visit one of his class locations in Port St. Lucie, and meet some of his black belts instructors and students.

In the last row, center: Grandmaster Arndt (left) and Grandmaster Crandall (right).

During this class visit, Grandmaster Crandall had the opportunity to talk to the students and share with them how fortunate they are to be training in their school, under such true martial arts leadership as Grandmaster Arndt’s.

Although a short visit, Grandmaster Arndt presented to Grandmaster Crandall three of his personally designed katas. Grandmaster Crandall, who has always been a formist and makes it possible for his instructors to learn traditional martial arts katas from China, Japan, and Korea, as well as the United States, now has three brand-new American designed forms based on the traditions of the martial arts. The first form learned and now being demonstrated by Grandmaster Crandall is called Arena, and within the next one to two months will be shared with his black belt instructors.

Grandmaster Crandall said, “This form involves some upper body complexities that make it unique, but throughout the form there is no doubt that balance is a key factor. This form requires overall body balance with the necessity to execute complex techniques equally with the right side of the body as well as the left.”

It was a very beneficial, enjoyable, and fun visit for both Grandmaster Crandall and Grandmaster Arndt. Future visits are already being planned. It is important to keep in mind if you research information on the Grandmaster of the American Kang Duk Won Association online, that you are aware it is home-based in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Their website is www.akdwa.org. We would also like to note that Grandmaster Arndt has indicated that Master Daniel M. Borger has been made a ninth degree, and has been made Grandmaster Arndt’s successor for teaching his American Kang Duk Won style for the world.