Accomplishments
Martial Arts Teaching and Collaborations
1957– Started teaching Bando [ancient martial arts system from Burma] at the Burmese Embassy in Washington, D.C.
1960– Taught Bando as a sport in the physical education program at the American University in Washington, D.C.
1964 – 66– Worked with GM Jhoon Rhee, [considered to be the Father of American Tae Kwon Do], promoting National Karate Championships in Washington, D.C.
1964 – 70 – Worked with GMEd Parker {founder of American Kenpo System} at the USKA and other national championships held in Florida, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and New York.
1964 – 72– Worked with GM Ki Wang Kim {Founder of Korean Tang Soo Do Association} judging and refereeing Korean sponsored tournaments in the East Coast region.
1964 – 76– Worked closely with GM Robert Trias, [founder of United States Karate Association, USKA], promoting and organizing major national and world karate tournaments.
1966– Moved to Ohio University to pursue a D. program in psychology, language and communication; and worked with GM Harry Smith [one of the pioneers in Ishinryu karate] in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
1966 – 70– Worked with GM Peter Urban, {founder of American Goju Ryu} at major East Coast Karate Championships
1968– Formed the American Bando Association [ABA] as a Private, Non-profit Veterans Memorial Martial Arts Organization to pay special tribute to both the Allied and Axis troops who fought and died in the Burma Campaign during World War II. The first Induction of Full Members into the ABA occurred in Athens, Ohio. Later, the ABA was formally incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 1986.
Key Martial Arts Achievements
USKA Chief Instructor Appointment
Appointed as the Chief Instructor of theUnited States Karate Association [USKA then was the largest martial arts organization in the US.]
Citation from GM Tatsuo Shimabuku
Received Special Citation from GMTatsuo Shimabuku, [founder of World Okinawan Ishinryu Karate Association]
Seminars with GM Harold Long
Conducted seminars with GMHarold Long [one of the pioneers of Ishinryu karate in the South] in Chattanooga, Tennessee;
Collaboration with GM Don Nagle
Worked with GMDon Nagle {one of the pioneers of Ishinryu Karate of the East Coast} in NY.
Black Belt Chairman
Appointed byThe Black Belt Magazine to serve as Chairman of The Rules and Regulations Committee to provide guidelines to all major Karate tournaments in the United States and Europe.
Bando Championships Promotion
Promoted theNational Bando Free Fighting Championships in the USA
Seminars with GM Harold Long
IntroducedBando Kickboxing Championships in the USA.
Career Milestones & Collaborations
1968-70
1968-70– Conducted seminars with GM Don Bohan and GM Rick Niemira {pioneers of Ishinryu Karate in MD.}
1968-71
1968-71 –Worked with GM Mas Oyama {Founder of World Kyokoshinkai Association} at North American karate tournaments, served as Chief Referee.
1976
1976 –Appointed as the Chief Referee for the Professional Karate Association {PKA} by Don Quine and GM Joe Corley. Appointed as the Chief Referee for theWorld Professional Karate Championships by GM Aaron Banks
1985
1985 –Appointed as Visiting Scholar at Harvard University {Dept. of Psychology} Conducted Seminars with GM GuruDanny Inosanto at the Inosanto Martial Arts Academy in Marina Del Rey, California – {to Present} Worked with GMFred Degerberg at the Degerberg Martial Arts Academy in Chicago {to Present}
1986
11986 –Appointed as Visiting Fellow at the John Hopkins University {Dept. of Psychology}
1990
1990 –Served as Senior Mentor to GM Zufi Ahmed {founder of Bushi-Ban International Organization} in Houston, Texas – {to Present}
1995
1995 –Retired as Associate Professor from the College of Communications, after more than 30years of teaching at Ohio University.
1999
1999 –Conducted seminars with GM Remy Presis {founder of Modern Arnis, Filipino stick fighting systems} in Buffalo, NY.
2000
Conducted Seminars with Guru Marc Denny {Dog Brothers Martial Arts} Hermosa Beach, CA
Conducted seminars withTim Hartman {founder of World Modern Arnis Alliance} in Seneca, NY {to present}
Conducted Seminars with GMJoe Palanzo {President of the World Wide Kenpo Karate Association, WKKA} Annual conferences, Baltimore, Md. & Connecticut {to Present}
Served as Senior Mentor toJoe Lewis Fighting Systems and conducted seminars at the annual conferences in Florida {to Present}
Served as Senior Mentor of GMDennis Tosten {President of Ameri-Kick Martial Arts Organization} in Pennsylvania {to Present}
2005
Honored by the Ambassador from Myanmar (Burma), U Linn Myaing, for contributions to the martial arts community in the USA
Moved toPeachtree City, GA with his wife, Patricia. He continues to translate and write articles for the ABA; he runs seminars on the ancient healing arts of Tibet, India, China and Burma; he teaches the Bando Monk System to interested persons twice a week at his home; he practices meditation and Dhanda Yoga, Longi Yoga and Letha Yoga to maintain his health and flexibility.
Throughout the late 60’s, 70’s and into the early 80’s, Dr. Gyi worked with GM Don Nagle [one the pioneers of Ishinryu karate on the East Coast] in New York; worked with GM Ed Parker [founder of American Kenpo System] at the USKA and other national championships held in Florida, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and New York; worked with Grandmaster Ki Wang Kim [founder of Korean Tang Soo Do Association] judging and refereeing Korean sponsored tournaments in the East Coast region; worked with Grandmaster Peter Urban, [founder of American Goju Ryu] at major East Coast karate championships; conducted seminars with GM Don Bohan and GM Rick Niemira [pioneers of Ishinryu karate in the East Coast] in Maryland; and worked with Grandmaster Mas Oyama [Founder of World Kyokoshinkai Association] at North American karate tournaments and served as Chief Referee.
In addition, Dr. Gyi was appointed by The Black Belt Magazine to serve as Chairman of The Rules and Regulations Committee to provide guidelines to all major karate tournaments in the United States and Europe; promoted the National Bando Free Fighting Championships in the US; introduced Bando Kick-Boxing Championships in the U.S.; was appointed as the Chief Referee for the Professional Karate Association [PKA] by Don Quine and Grandmaster Joe Corley; and was appointed by Grandmaster Aaron Banks as the Chief Referee for the World Professional Karate Championships.
Academic and Coaching Legacy
As an academic educator, Dr. Gyi was appointed as Visiting Scholar at Harvard University [Department of Psychology] and as Visiting Fellow at the John Hopkins University [Department of Psychology]. Dr. Gyi retired as Associate Professor from the College of Communication, after more than 30 years of teaching at Ohio University in Athens, OH. In addition to his academic work as a professor and teaching Bando, Dr. Gyi coached the Ohio University Boxing Team. For 25 years, his boxers successfully competed in the Midwest Regional Collegiate Boxing Championships, the National Collegiate Boxing Championships, the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, Virginia Military Academy, U.S. Marine Corps and other institutions such as Notre Dame University, University of Michigan, Villanova, etc.
1985 – 2005 – Dr. Gyi’s Kukri [Sword] Drill Teams performed at the annual reunions of:
National Burma Star Veterans Organization
China-Burma-India Veterans Organization
S. Merrill’s Marauders Veterans Organization
S. 1st Air Commandos Veterans Organization
National Flying Tigers Veterans Reunions
National US Air Commandos Veterans Reunions
S. OSS 101 Veterans Organization and other WWII veterans organizations
Honor the Legacy. Preserve the Art.
Join the American Bando Association in paying tribute to America’s veterans and keeping the ancient Hanthawaddy Bando martial tradition alive through discipline, respect, and unity.
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