![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8198c7eea07c3497b98cde5b796a8fd2.jpg/v1/fill/w_288,h_180,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/8198c7eea07c3497b98cde5b796a8fd2.jpg)
Martin LaPlatney
Having a certificate is by no means an indication of martial ability or teaching competence. I have known some very fine Masters in China who did not have them. Often a Master would have a ceremony and the student would be accepted as a disciple. Sometimes because of circumstances the Master might just say that the student is a disciple and that is enough. Sometimes they may have studied with several (or many) great teachers and there is no ceremony or certificate. I have also known people with many black belts and certificates of high rank that did not deserve them.
I am only including these here as history and nothing more. They usually sit in my closet.
![Instructor with Tang Shou Tao](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a74760_4d2bf4be05e94de89371feea079e0c6c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_96,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/a74760_4d2bf4be05e94de89371feea079e0c6c~mv2.jpg)
Without my time in Tang Shou Tao I would never have met Master Li or the other teachers in China. It was invaluable. I am very grateful to Vince Black and all his efforts in China which made everything else possible.
![Bagua](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a74760_5731b0590653483ba3a207948d8b1e0a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_97,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/a74760_5731b0590653483ba3a207948d8b1e0a~mv2.jpg)
This is for Liang Zhenpu Lineage. Although I don't teach Bagua I mostly practice what I learned from Wong Shitong and Zhang Huasen.
![Kajukenbo](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a74760_a4b1360aeb61492e832845deb60a7814~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_240,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/a74760_a4b1360aeb61492e832845deb60a7814~mv2.jpg)
This was given to me by Sijo Emperado. He wanted me to have the old style certificate.
![Kajukenbo](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a74760_4283ba317f07496cac6f272529bd7e1f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_100,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/a74760_4283ba317f07496cac6f272529bd7e1f~mv2.jpg)
Also for 4th degree Black Belt but signed by some of the other creators of Kajukenbo.
![Kajukenbo](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a74760_957c597f917740efb5b394ec43da7599~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_149,h_184,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/a74760_957c597f917740efb5b394ec43da7599~mv2.jpg)
I received this when I was given a 2nd degree Black Belt.
![Pikiti Tirsia](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a74760_c7760ac81de14288b259a09a0f1bd6a7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_140,h_175,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/a74760_c7760ac81de14288b259a09a0f1bd6a7~mv2.jpg)
I no longer teach Pikiti but it was fundamental in my training in martial arts. I am deeply grateful to Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje for opening my eyes to the possibilities of martial arts and to Tom Bisio for our many years of practice and friendship.
![Pikiti Tirsia](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a74760_972cc3a5eedc45c68c76835538b06137~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_114,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/a74760_972cc3a5eedc45c68c76835538b06137~mv2.jpg)
This was given to me when I first became an instructor.