Moses Powell
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Moses Powell (January 13, 1941 - January 22, 2005) was an American martial artist who claimed expertise in jujutsu and was the founder of Sanuces Ryu.
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[edit] Beginnings and Achievements
Moses Powell was born on January 13, 1941 in Norfolk, Virginia. He studied martial arts for more than 47 years and was the first African American martial artist to train the United States Secret Service and Federal Bureau of Investigation in hand-to-hand combat[citation needed]. In 1965, he was the featured martial artist at the World's Fair in New York City presenting numerous techniques and concepts[citation needed]. The following year he was the first martial artist to receive The African Benign Arts Award[citation needed]. From 1967 to 1968, Powell pioneered his craft by traveling overseas to the Caribbean. There, he introduced Sanuces Ryu Jujutsu to the islands of Jamaica, Trinidad and Bermuda. He was inducted into the International African Arts Festival's "Living Legend" Award and was also the first martial artist to be invited to demonstrate his techniques for the United Nations.
He was an instructor to several action celebrities, most notably Wesley Snipes (The Art of War, Blade Trilogy)[citation needed]. Moses Powell shared the spotlight with Chuck Norris in the movie The Warrior Within: A Tribute To Bruce Lee and was honored in the TV show Masters of the Martial Arts.
[edit] Founder of Sanuces Ryu Jujutsu
Moses Powell is the founder of Sanuces Ryu Jujutsu; a style formed from his years of experience in other martial arts, including Japanese jujutsu, karate, boxing and arnis. His main instructor, who he attributes much of his success to, was Florendo Visitacion, founder of Vee-Jitsu Ryu. Powell created Sanuces Ryu in an effort to combine the best of what he had studied and develop a completely realistic, street combat effective martial art. Sanuces Ryu also has a very spiritual aspect. According to various Sanuces Ryu sites, the art is based on spirituality, surreality, simplicity and survival.
[edit] Quote
In January of 2003, Moses Powell said, "I have been called the Pioneer, the Missionary, and the Lumberjack of martial arts. When I think about it, I'd like to be remembered as the man I am...Moses Powell. It's not about making yourself anything; but it is about earning your rewards as you go along. Remember, there is no such think as a book master, you have to fight in the trenches or on the mat...I want young people to realize that there is a history to look up to, and a path of greatness to follow and further pave”[citation needed]
[edit] Death
Moses Powell died Saturday, January 22, 2005 at home from respiratory failure. He is survived by four daughters, ten grand children, and thousands of students.
