Advanced Martial Arts Seminar Coming in April 2025

Please scroll to the bottom of the page for Seminar Leader Bios.

Pictures from our 1st Annual Advanced Martial Arts Seminar

Master Crystal Wagner

Demonstrating her Bo Kata.

Master Crystal Wagner

Working on an armbar.

Senior Master Mickey Metz

Demonstrating cutting a cucumber on Master Wayne Williams stomach.

Senior Master Mickey Metz

Demonstrating cutting paper from his grandsons hands with a whip.

Shodans, Nathan and Jon Gregory

Jon Gregory is also a 4th Dan in Combat Hapkido and taught a seminar on the short stick.

Grandmaster Allen Wilson

Demonstrating a Krav Maga knife disarm and redirect back in on the attacker.

Senior Master Mickey Metz

Working with Grandson on Hapkido small stick techniques.

Soke Mark Murdock

Soke awarding certificates and Federation awards to the Masters and students.

Senior Master Mickey Metz and Master Crystal Wagner

Senior Master Mickey Metz and Master Crystal Wagner receiving their Soke-Dai certificates. Soke Murdock made both Soke-Dai (Inheiritors) of the system to protect it's legacy. Master Jon Allen and Master Wayne Williams are also Soke-Dai. Sandan Sarah Kuhaneck is also a Soke-Dai candidate.

This is the Seminar Leader Award

This was awarded to all the masters and grandmasters that taught seminars at the 2023 Federation event.

Please scroll down for more information and backgrounds on our seminar leaders for 2024

Soke Mark Murdock, 10th Dan Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, Inhieritor of Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, Head of System

About myself and my background (full bio),

I am a retired Paramedic and Firefighter, I was in that career for 33 years. I’ve been active in Martial Arts for nearly 45 years. I started learning martial arts early in 1979 from Professor Casarez unofficially and then officially at his dojo in 1982. I studied Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, Judo, Aikido and Karate under Professor John H. Casarez, Founder of Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu for 44 years and the last time I trained with him was in December 2023 at his home. Even though he is in poor health he tries to teach me when I’m in town.
During the mid-1980’s Professor Casarez invited a few guest instructors at his school. Bob Frazier taught Aikido and Okinawan Karate. The late Grandmaster Robert “Bob” Edwards taught some Judo. Lester Cohen and Mike Parsons taught Filipino martial arts and JKD two nights a week. This is where I obtained most of my Filipino and JKD experience. I have acquired more Filipino and JKD experience while at the WHFSC event seminars as well as experience in many other martial art styles while training at the seminars.
In 1996 I started to train with Doshi Richard Van Donk in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu (Ninjutsu). I have trained under him since then. I also trained under the late Shihan Ed Martin Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu 2005 through 2008. In 2019 I achieved my Shidoshi 5th Dan in the Bujinkan under Masaaki Hatsumi through Doshi Richard Van Donk. I also trained at the Stephen Hayes’s Chapel Hill Quest Center 1996 thorough 2002. I was equivalent to a Shodan in Tai Shin Do but never ranked as I had a Shodan in the Bujinkan. I have also trained with Stephen Hayes, Bud Maelstrom, Jack Hoban, and with Masaaki Hatsumi in 2000 at the Atlanta Tai-Kai.
In 2006 I became a Soke-Dai of Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu and a master member of the WHFSC. In 2019 I became a Grandmaster member of the WHFSC. During the 2019 WHFSC event awards banquet Professor Casarez announced his retirement from martial arts after a long 70-year career. This was due in part because of two strokes and declining health. At this time, I became a Soke of Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu and head of the Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu system. I was awarded a 10th Dan in front of all the attending Masters and Grandmasters at the WHFSC banquet. I received this recognition a few years early due to My Sensei's health issues. He told me he wanted to pass the system to me early in case he would have another stroke and pass. I was made the new head of system at that time. As the new Soke I added Casarez to the name of the system in its founder’s honor. The new name of the system under me is Casarez Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu.

My training background:
During the last 28 years attending the WHFSC events I have learned a lot from various WHFSC Grandmasters and Masters, I have trained in many martial arts seminars including Dan "The Beast" Severn, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, the late Remy and Ernesto Preses, Al Dacascos (actor Mark Dacascos) father, Jeff Speakman, Bobby Taboada, the late Professor Wally Jay two seminars, Dennis Hanover Krav-Maga Israel, Frank Dux, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Dana Abbott, Don "The Dragon” Wilson, Michael DePasquale, Jr. and Sr., I have trained with many more too numerous to mention.
l'm in the American Martial Arts Alliance 2nd Edition of the Who's Who in the Martial Arts Cynthia Rothrock Tribute Book, an Amazon #1 Best-Seller that came out in the Fall 2023 I was also made a member of their Hall of Honors. I met Chuck Norris in 2022 and the cast of Cobra-Kai (Ralph Macchio, William Zabka and Martin Kove) in 2019. I have trained with many high-level martial artists in my career. I also have experience in many other martial art styles. Therefore, I have varied experience in Filipino Martial Arts, Aikido, Karate, Judo, Kung Fu, Ninjutsu, Muay Tai, Krav-Maga, Russian Martial Arts, Small Circle Ju-Jitsu, Wing Chung and many other styles of martial arts in addition to the Casarez Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu style, I have a great amount of extra martial arts experience because of the WHFSC seminar events. I’ve also studied some in the art of Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu under Sensei Tom Cohen and the late Okamoto Sensei from Japan during his May 2006 USA seminar.
My teaching achievements:
I lived in Southeast Ohio from the time of my birth until April of 1994 when I moved to the Raleigh North Carolina area. I then started private tutoring a few students. On May 26, 1996 I started my own martial arts school, Southern School of Martial Arts in Willow Springs, NC. Now in the McGee’s Crossroads area of Benson, NC. We are celebrating our 28th anniversary in May of 2024. I brought Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu to NC. in April, 1994. SSMA was the first and only school in North Carolina to teach the original Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu. We are still the only school in North Carolina teaching Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu. In October of 2001 I researched, developed and created a martial arts system just for children called Kobushi-Do (The Little Warrior Way). This is my children’s Jr. Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu system. In March of 2003 I created my own Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu Ninjutsu school, Rivers Edge Bujinkan Dojo. I then officially offered classes in Ninjutsu in 2003. I developed a pre-school program for ages 3 to 5 called Little Ninja in 2017. I created a program for instructors to be certified as assistant instructor first and then by Instructor level 1 through 4 and as Master Instructor after level 4.

Recognitions, memberships and awards:
I'm a member of the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame (1996), World Head of Family Sokeship Council’s International Martial Arts Hall of Fame (1997), Cosmopolitan Florida Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2007), USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2014), the Martial Arts Alliance Hall of Honors (2023) and nominated for the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame (2024). The latest award awarded from the WHFSC was the Golden Life Achievement over 40 years in the martial arts award on May 27, 2023. I have received many other awards and recognitions from this council in the past as well.

My teaching background:
Here are a few of the many groups I have taught: Several military personnel from Fort (Bragg) Liberty and Camp Lejeune. Nash County EMS, Wake County EMS paramedics and administrative staff, Bay Leaf Fire Department firefighters, fire department and rescue squads in Southeast Ohio, Northwestern West Virginia and Central North Carolina. I have also privately tutored Military personnel, West Virginia State Police officers, Raleigh and Durham police officers, North Carolina Highway Patrol Officers, EMTs and Wake Forest firefighters. I also conducted a self-defense awareness class for students with special needs at West Lake Middle School in Wake County in January of 1997 and a series of classes of Women’s Self Defense and Self Defense for the Elderly and Persons with disabilities. In 2008 I created the EMS Worker Self Defense program. I did an online version of the program for Davidson College and Robeson College in 2011 and 2013. I’m currently in the early stages of designing a program for police officers with the assistance of the Dean of Public Safety and BLET Instructor Jon Gregory at Wake Technical College in Raleigh, NC. This program is to train officers to use less lethal force and use more martial arts and small joint manipulation to control a situation. I continually try to teach and help the community with programs based on self-defense.

My current belt ranking. Soke, 10th Degree Black Belt Casarez Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, and Head of the Casarez Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu System.
Shidoshi, 5th Degree Black Belt Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, Ninjutsu,
Yondan, 4th Degree Black Belt, Judo,
Sandan, 3rd Degree Black Belt Aikido,
Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt Karate,
Shodan equivalent experience in Kali, Eskrima and JKD

Grandmaster Allen Wilson, 9th Dan Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, Inhieritor of Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu

About Grandmaster Allen Wilson. His background in Martial Arts9th Degree Black Belt Professor John H. Casarez,5th Degree Black Belt Tang-Soo-Do Professor Casarez,3rd Degree Black Belt Shotokan Mark Cantrell,2nd Degree Black Belt Kobudo Shotokan Mark Cantrell,1st Degree American Fighting Arts Federation A.F.A.F Master Virgil Davis,ranked in Krav-Maga, Master Danny Lane, 1st Degree Black Belt In Ko-Sutemi USKS Promoter Jim Thomas, Conducted Seminars In U.S. and International Ranked/Trained with Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Ernie "Light Foot" Boggs, Master Danny Lane, Manny Taningco, to name a few.Trained with the late great Gene Lebell & Gorkor Chivichyan, Hayastan Submission Grappling System.Trained in Apolo Ladra Filipino.Certified Personal Trainer under IFTA.Inventor and creator of patented training equipment known as the UKE.Inventor and creator of patented Self Defense tool called the Hook Controller. Developer and founder of a system known as A-TAC Street Defense System which is recognized by several Grandmaster and other organizations. Taught several Police Departments and Correctional Prison Facilities. Received numerous awards in Martial arts. Won and placed in several different competitions from 1989 through 2012Entrepreneurer and owner of Wilson's Martial Arts school and Fitness center since 19928 Years of being a professional wrestler. Movie credits (Faces) (Ultimate Throwdown) with Bill "Superfoot" Wallace TV Show (333 Warrior Drive) Host and assistant producer.

Senior Master Mickey Metz, 8th Dan Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, 8th Dan Shoo-Jin Martial Arts System

More information about Senior Master Mickey Metz:Mickey also has a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Sutemi Saiei Kan. He has 50 years in boxing and kickboxing, 6 time Karate AKJU National Karate Champion, AKJU Team America 2000 Ireland, Scottland and London

Master Crystal Wagner, 6th Dan Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu and 6th Dan in Shoo-Jin Martial Arts System

More information about Master Wagner:Master Wagner also has a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Sutemi Kan. Master Wagner has over 30 years in the martial arts and is an 8 time AKJU National Champion, Undefeated WV. Champion 10 years in a row. Member of AKJU Team America 2000, Ireland, Scottland and London.

Master John Allen, 6th Dan Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu

Master Allen also has a 1st Dan in Karate, 2nd Dan in Aikido and in Judo.Master Allen started training in Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu under the guidance of Professor Casarez as a child. He has continued to train and teach for over 30 years. Master Allen was nominated to be a member of the WHFSC Master's Division in 2023

Master Wayne Williams, 6th Dan Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, Nidan Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, Ninjutsu

Master Williams williams started training under Soke Murdock in Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu in July of 1999. He has continue to train and teach for over 24 years. Wayne is also a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, Ninjutsu.

Sensei Dylan Barker, 3rd Dan Tang Soo Do

About Sandan Dylan Barker,Dylan Barker began practicing martial arts in 1996, at the age of 4 under Grandmaster Allen Wilson of Olive Hill, KY. He has trained in Tang Soo Do, Tea Kwon Do, Kickboxing, Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Kali, Kyokushin and Shotokan Karate, Krav-Maga, the Chuck Norris System, Bill Wallace's Superfoot System, and the ATAC System. He has competed and won various tournaments in sparring and in Kata.Dylan has trained with such distinguished martial artists such as Grandmaster Allen Wilson, Master Danny Lane, Master DJ Yates, Master Kevin "KO" Pickron, Grandmaster Manuel Taningco, UFC Champion Dan "The Beast" Severn, and had the honor of meeting legends Chuck Norris and Cynthia Rothrock. Dylan is now a Sandan in Tang Soo Do and President of the board of directors for theATAC System founded by Grandmaster Allen Wilson. He is the assistant instructor at Wilson Martial Arts where he has become a Sensei to children and adults in various martial ar styles.

Level 2 Instructor Jon Gregory, 1st Dan Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu, 4th Dan in Combat Hapkido

About Shodan Jon Gregory. Jon is the Dean of Public Safety Education and Training at Wake Technical College in Wake County, NC. Jon has over 23 years of public saftey experience, with 22 years as a certified instructor with the state of North Carolina. He is experienced in program operations, supervision, program development, training and facility management. Jon has taught public safety personnel at the local, state and federal levels, including 15 years with Wake Technical College. Jon has specialty certifications in physical fitness and compliance and control techniques. Jon has trained in martial arts for over 10 years, earning a 4th Degree Black Belt in Combat Hapkido, 2nd Degree Black Belt in traditional Hapkido and 1st Degree Black Belt in Casarez Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu

Level 3 Instructor Sarah Kuhaneck, 3rd Dan Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu

About Sarah Kuhaneck. Sarah started training in Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu in April 2014 under Soke Murdock. She studied Aikido for two years while in college, serving as the President of the Aikido Club at NC State for one year. Sarah currently trains in Shaolin Kung Fu, holding a 3rd degree brown belt, and a 2nd degree black belt in Casarez Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu. Sarah continues to train in Casarez Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu as well as Shaolin Kung Fu. Sarah will be testing for her Sandan 3rd Degree Black Belt in Casarez Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu in mid November.