Testing Board Bio - Master Ross Briggs

Some of the best time I ever got to spend with Master Ross Briggs, his wife Bobbie, and Grand Master Archie occurred over a long weekend in the summer of 2009 at a Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and set of seminars here in Nashville - which I was invited to attend and teach a Weapons/Cane seminar.

The time spent in fellowship and over meals (including the fancy one during the actual awards) taught me what a true gift it is to be able to call Master Briggs by the title of friend.

Even though we have not had the opportunity to spend much time together since - he and Bobbie have kept in touch and never let me feel that their care and support was more than an arm's reach away.

Sir, I so look forward to seeing you soon!

Thank you for your support of my 8th Dan TKD testing through your participation on the testing board, but also thank you for always making me feel cared about and supported.

Respectfully,

Kathy Wiz

 

 

Master Ross Briggs began his martial training at the age of nine, studying Judo and Jujitsu at the local YMCA in Reno, Nevada.  In 1970 he started Tae Kwon Do training under his older brother Tom Briggs, a Reno Police officer who had studied in Korea.  In 1971, along with Soke Dave McNeill, Ross met and began training with Sensei, now Hanshi, Alexander Archie, a collaboration that still continues.

While serving in the U.S. Army, Ross created and taught the Defensive Tactics Training Program to the 82nd Airborne Military Police Company, where rose to the rank of Sergeant.  

Through the years, Master Briggs has been awarded the honorary title of Renshi, Master Instructor, and has assisted in numerous Dan-level promotions in the Goju-Shorei System.  In 2008 Soke McNeill appointed Master Briggs to the Director Position of Goju-Shorei Open Hand.

Also in 2008, Master Briggs and his wife of thirty years, Bobbie, opened their home to a young martial artist and his soon-to-be wife, also a gifted martial artist and country music song writer, while they trained in Goju-Shorei.  In 2010, Master Briggs passed down the master’s belt he was wearing at the time, and the title of Director of Goju-Shorei Open Hand to that young man … Master Larry Kooyman.

Master Briggs is currently a fifth degree in Goju-Shorei Karate, a third degree in Tae Kwon Do, under Master Byong HongYu, a second degree in Jujitsu, and has been graded in several other systems.