The Appointment of the Guard

Tuesday, September 02, 2025 by C. Michial Jones

While the PKC International Karate Championships were a weekend of competition and reconnection, the awards banquet held a moment that transcended sport. It was an evening that solidified the past, present, and future of our lineage.

A Father’s Recognition

My father, Curt Jones—the senior student of the late, great Glenn Keeney—stepped forward to perform a duty of immense historical weight. He awarded both John Manley and myself the rank of 8th Dan Hanshi in Komakai Goju-Ryu.

To receive such a rank is a humbling experience (even if you receive it more than once). To receive it from the man who introduced me to the path is an honor beyond words. It is the recognition that the decades of sweat, the years of teaching, and the recent battles with health have all been part of a singular, unbroken journey toward mastery.

The Stewardship of the Komakai

The rank, however, came with a directive. My father further appointed John and me as Chief Instructors of Komakai and official stewards of Mr. Keeney’s karate.

The Komakai name carries a legendary status in the martial arts world. It represents a rugged, effective, and disciplined approach to karate that influenced generations. Being tasked with maintaining the integrity of Mr. Keeney’s teachings is a huge responsibility.

A Unified Front

Adding to the gravity of the occasion, the certificates were countersigned by Phil Morgan, the 3rd Style Head of Shore-Goju-Ryu Karate. This cross-signature represents a unified front in the Goju community, bridging the Okinawan and American lineages under a banner of mutual respect and recognized authority.

Conclusion: The New Chapter

I spent the months that followed fighting through radiation, training in a fog of exhaustion, and questioning my own progress.

Standing there at the banquet, certificate in hand, I realized that the “monster” I’ve been fighting didn’t slow my path—it defined it. The circle is complete, the lineage is secure, and the work—the real work—is just beginning.