Soke Dave Shelton

Soke Dave Shelton, PhD
10th Dan / Kaicho / Hanshi
Grandmaster, Executive Director
International Matsumura Seito Society

Martial Arts Official, Administrator and Instructor, Dave Shelton is a 10th Degree Black Belt, Grandmaster, and "Soke" of "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Soken- Do" Karate. He started training in January 1965.

He studied Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu before being fortunate enough to study "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito" Karate under O'Sensei Hohan Soken of Okinawa.

He was the second American to receive the Shihan (Master) Instructor Certificate from O'Sensei Hohan Soken in October 1969. And he is the founder of "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Soken- Do" in 1998. He was also the first authorized Instructor to teach "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito", outside of Okinawa, in November 1969.

He was a top competitor on the Gulf Coast 1970-1975, and began officiating in 1970. Since then he has acted as Chief Judge, Chief Referee, Tournament Official, Tournament Director, Weapons Advisor, and Special Guest, for numerous national tournaments.

Owned and Operated " The Pensacola Karate Club ", Teaching - "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karate Do" - "The Okinawan Art of Close Combat and Oriental Weapons", 1970-1995, In 1996 started "the Sylacauga Karate Club".

He was featured in "Who's Who In Karate", published in 1982.

Served as "President of the High Dan Board" of the "United Martial Arts Association" 1981-1985.

Conducted seminars on rape prevention, law enforcement self defense, women's self defense, tournament judging and weapons training in the continued education program.

Served as "Vice Chancellor of the High Dan Board" of the "United Martial Arts Association International "1997-1999.

Appointed "Senior Advisor" for the "International Matsumura Bushi Jutsu" and Director for the State of Alabama. 1997-2002

Inducted into the "World Sokeship Grandmaster Council's" "International Martial Arts Hall Of Fame" in 1998.

Received the "World Sokeship Grandmaster Council's" "Silver Lifetime Achievement Award" in 1998.

Appointed "Supreme Advisor" for the "Kokuba Matsumura Karate Union".

Served as "President of the High Dan Board" of the "United Martial Arts Association International" 1999.

Installed into the "World Head of Family Sokeship Grandmaster Council's" "International Hall Of Fame" as "Grandmaster Of The Year" September 1999.

Earned and Awarded the Title of "Soke" of "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Soken Do" by the "International Matsumura Seito Society" in June 1999.

Served as "President of the High Dan Board" of the "United Martial Arts Association International" 1999.

Featured in "The World's Martial Arts Elite", a reference book, released Fall 2000, and in three other upcoming books.

Inducted into "The United States Martial Artist Association Millennium 2000 Hall Of fame" as "Supreme Grandmaster Of The Year" of "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Soken Do" in July 2000.

Inducted into "The United States Martial Arts Association Millennium 2000 Hall Of Fame" as "Grandmaster Of The Year" of "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Soken Do" in August 2000.

Inducted into The "World Sokeship Grandmaster Council's International Hall Of Fame" as "Millennium Grandmaster Of The Year" in September 2000.

Inducted into The "U.S.A. International Black Belt Hall Of Fame" as "Grandmaster Instructor Of The Year" in November 2000.

Appointed Southeastern United States Regional Association Director and Board Member for the "United States Martial Artist Association".

Appointed, Senior Advisor for the "Ozark Mountain Karate Association" January 2001-2002.

Appointed, "Executive Director, President", and "Soke" of the "International Matsumura Seito Society" in January 2001.

Appointed, by Don Siegelman, the "Governor" of Alabama, as an "Honorary Colonel" in the Alabama State Militia. January 2001.

Installed as "Member" of the "World Head Of Family Sokeship Grandmasters Council" in
December 2000.

Inducted into The "World Karate Union's Hall Of Fame" as "Grandmaster Of The Year". June 2001.

Listed in the Lineage of O'Sensei Soken "Bushi" Matsumura, O'Sensei Hohan Soken and "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karate", in the book "Unante" by John Sells 2001.

Inducted into the "United States Martial Artist Association's International Hall of Fame" with the "Golden Lifetime Achievement Award". August 2001.

Certified as "Soke", "Head of Family", of "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Soken Do", by the
"World Head of Family Sokeship Grandmasters Council". September 2001

Certified as "Soke", "Head of Family", of "The International Matsumura Seito Society",
by the "World Head of Family Sokeship Grandmasters Council". September 2001.

Inducted into "World Head Of Family Sokeship Council" "Grandmaster International Hall Of Fame", "Founders Award" for "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Soken Do". September 2001.

Associate Director for the "Mississippi Karate Association". 2002-2003

Received an "Honorary PhD" "Doctor of Philosophy of Martial Arts" from the "University of Indiana / American College of Martial Science"

Inducted into the "Hawaii Martial Arts Society's" "International Hall of Fame" May 2002.

Appointed "Alabama State Representative" of the "Hawaii Martial Arts Society".

Inducted into the "Worldwide Martial Arts Hall of Fame" as "Grandmaster of the Year" June 2002

Inducted into the "United States Martial Artist Association International Hall of Fame" as "Most Dedicated Martial Artist" July 2002

"Instructor of the Month" March - May 2002, for the "University of Indiana / American College of Martial Science" for Lifetime Hard Work and Dedication to the Martial Arts.

Inducted into the "World Head of Family Sokeship Grandmaster Council's" "International Hall of Fame" as "Distinguished Grandmaster of the Year" September 2002

Co-Founder - "Pioneers & Legends International Martial
Arts Society Hall of Fame"

Inducted into the "Pioneers & Legends International
Martial Arts Society Hall of Fame" June 2002

Appointed - Member of the "Board of Directors" of the
"World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame" June 2002

Inducted and Certified, "10th Dan / Soke" by the "World Head of Society" "Heads and
Founders Society of International Styles" - Kobe, Japan November 2002

Received the "W.O.M.A Sports Award" (World Organizar of Martial Arts) November 2002

Certified "10th Dan / Soke" of "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Soken Do" by the "World Soke
Headquarters" - Kobe, Japan November 2002

Granted "Lifetime Membership" in the "GENKI RYU DO" Martial Arts System, by
Soke Felix Revette, 10th Dan, President, July 2002

Inducted into the "Mississippi Black Belt, Hall of Fame" January 2003

Elected to "Board of Directors" "Mississippi Karate Association" , January 2003

Received Certification from the "United States Police Defensive Tactics Association"
in the use of the "Controller" (Kubaton).

Inducted into the "World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame" for "Outstanding
Contribution to the Martial Arts" June 2003

Inducted into the "United States Martial Artist Association International Hall of Fame"
for "Outstanding Contribution to the Martial Arts" July 2003

Inducted into the "World Head of Family Sokeship Grandmasters Council's",
"International Hall of Fame" as "The Continued Excellence in Teaching Award" August 2003

Awarded the "Alabama Flag" flown over the Alabama State Capital Building, in his Honor,
June 12, 2003, for his "Achievements in the Martial Arts". Awarded by Alabama Governor,
Bob Riley

Established and Opened New "International Matsumura Seito Society" Hombu and
World Headquarters, in Childersburg, Al June 28, 2003

Commissioned Deputy Sheriff and Training Officer of Conecuh County, AL, by Sheriff Tracy
Hawsey July 2003

Awarded "PhD, Doctor of Philosophy in Asian Martial Arts", by the "Delaware State Council
of Higher Arts Education and Applied Science". September 2003

Inducted into the "World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame" as "Martial Artist of the Year"
    June 2004
   Inducted into the "World Karate Union, International Hall
   of Fame" as "Golden Lifetime Achievement Award of
   Honor" June 2004

Nominated for "The Masters Hall of Fame" in Garden Grove
California by Soke Edward Badiang

Featured in the New Reference Book "Martial Arts
Personalities of the World" by Prof. Dr. Song Swee Hee

Inducted into the "World Head of Family Sokeship
Grandmaster's Council's Hall of Fame" as " Grandmaster of
the Year" September 2004

Inducted into the "United States Martial Artist Association International Hall of
Fame" as "Supreme Grandmaster of the Year" September 2004

Established and Opened New "International Matsumura Seito Society"
"Hombu and World Headquarters", in Oak Grove, Alabama July 2004

Recognized and Listed in "Who's Who in Martial Arts" July 2004

Appointed "Supreme Advisor" for "Nintai Do Matsumura Shorin Ryu Karate Do"
2005

Recipient of the "B.O.B." Award

Appointed President and Executive Director of the "B.O.B." Society

Inducted into "The World Wide Martial Arts Hall of Fame" " For Outstanding
Contribution to the Martial Arts" June 2005

Inducted into the "United States Martial Artist Association International
Hall of Fame" as "Platinum Lifetime Achievement Award" for over 40 years of
Martial Arts, July 2005

Appointed "Supreme Advisor" for the "White Dragon Society, 2005

Appointed "Supreme Advisor" for "Shebo Hento Ryu Karate Do", 2005

Inducted into the "World Sokeship Grandmasters Council" "International
Martial Arts Hall of Fame" as "Alabama National Grandmaster of the Year"
September 2005

Received "Instructor Certification" from the "United States Police Defensive Tactics
Association" in the use of the "Controller" (Kubaton).

Appointed "Supreme Advisor" for the "Ji Kai Martial Arts Karate Do System"

Inducted into "The United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame" July 2006

Certified 10th Dan, Soke by the "United States Karate Alliance" May 2006

Inducted into"The "World Head of Family Sokeship Grandmaster's Council's"
" International Martial Arts Hall of Fame" "Historical Figure Award" May 2006

Inducted into the "United States Martial Artist Association's International
Hall of Fame" as "Supreme Grandmaster of the Year" July 2006

Appointed "Supreme Advisor" for the Musha Kai Ryoshi Ha Shito Ryu Karate Union

Inducted into the "Nintai Do Hall of Fame" December 9, 2006

Inducted into "Action Martial Arts Magazine's" "Hall of Fame and Spirit Awards"
as "Grandmaster - Outstanding Contribution to the Martial Arts" January 2007

Inducted into"The "World Head of Family Sokeship Grandmaster's Council's"
" International Martial Arts Hall of Fame" "Continued Excellence in Teaching
Award" May 2007

Inducted into the "United States Martial Artist Association's International
Hall of Fame" as "Man of the Year" July 2007

Appointed "Member of the Council Scientific" of the "World Sokeship Council
Seishinryoku Kai"

Appointed "International Representive Alabame/USA" for the "International
Okinawa Seishinryoku Karate Do Kobudo Association"

Awarded 5th Dan in "Okinawa Seishinryoku Karate Do"

Recognized "Soke, 10th Dan" in "Shorin Ryu Matsumura Soken Do" by the
"World Sokeship Council Seishinryoku Kai"

Appointed "World Director of Representatives" for the "International Seishinryoku
Karate Do Kobudo Association"

Awarded "Life Member" of the "World Seishinryoku Kai Society"

Awarded "Referee of the Year" "Kata and Weapons" by the "Mississippi
Karate Association" January 2008

Certified 10th Dan / Soke by the "World Ju-Jitsu / AIKI-Bujutsu Federation"
February 2008

Awarded Lifetime Membership in the "Nippon Yawara Ryu AIKI-Ju-Jitsu Renmei"
February 2008 by Hanshi Seigfried Boedeker 10th Dan

Certified 10th Dan / Soke of Shorin Ryu Matsumura Soken Do by the
"International Council of Headmasters & Sokeship Renmei" March 2008

Certified 10th Dan by "The Worldwide Martial Arts Spirit of Bushido-Brotherhood"
"Zen Budo Bugei Rengo Kai" March 2008

Awarded 5th Dan in Ji Kai Iai Do by Kyoshi Butch Lambert and Ji Kai Martial Arts

Awarded 6th Dan in Nintai Do Matsumura Aiki Te by Kyoshi Clint DuPlechian

Home Welcome Current Events O'Sensei
Code Of Hohan Soken Civic Awards
Links Contact Us Outstanding Instructors Chop-Shots Death Poem
Camp Pictures