Akayama-Ryu Yudansha

Yudansha

Mark Barlow, Hachidan, - Orange Beach, Alabama

Beginning his training in the mid 1970s under Mr. Alex M. Marshall, Barlow Sensei has spent over 30 years training in various Japanese grappling arts. Holding Black Belts in Kodokan Judo, Shodokan Aikido, Tomiki-Ryu Aikido, Jikishinkage-Ryu Aikijujutsu, and Seki-Ryu jujutsu and being the designated successor of the leadership of Akayama Ryu jujutsu, Barlow Sensei has taken up Mr. Marshall's torch to spread the word of the effectiveness of jujutsu.

Along with teaching traditional jujutsu, Barlow Sensei is also a member of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers and is certified as a Defensive Tactics instructor. Barlow Sensei has also trained with such notable instructors as Tetsuro Nariyama, Gene LeBell, Toshiaki Takikawa, Karl Geis, Toshishiro Obata and a host of others. Along with the instructors listed previously, he has hosted Skip Koepke, Sam Combes, Oleg Taktarov, Gokor Chivichian, John Donahue, Don "the Dragon" Wilson, Joe Charles and Terry and Riki Chamkow at his Dojo in Birmingham.

Barlow Sensei is a frequent seminar instructor and has represented Akayama Ryu in Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma, Nevada, Kentucky and Trinidad &Tobago, W.I. He has served as a state representative for U.S. Jujitsu Federation and on the Jujitsu Committee of the U.S. Judo Association. Barlow Sensei teaches at the Hombu on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Richard Worthington, Hachidan - Trussville, Alabama

A student of Alex. M. Marshall for over twenty years, Worthington Sensei also holds Black Belts is Judo and Aikido and has had extensive training in Karate and boxing. He was instrumental in the development of Akayama Ryu's curriculum and took over the Jefferson State Junior College dojo upon the retirement of Mr. Marshall. Worthington Sensei has trained law enforcement, military and security officers both under the direction of Mr. Marshall and at his own Dojo.

Mark Burton, Shichidan - Slidell, Louisiana

A former Marine Corps Judo team member, Burton Sensei received his initial training while stationed in Japan. He has trained local, state and national law enforcement officers and is a federal law enforcement officer himself.

Chris Dewey, Shichidan - Starkville, Mississippi

Dewey Sensei holds Dan rank in Judo, Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do. He is the chief instructor of the Starkville Martial Arts Academy in Starkville, MS and is a former USJA Judo Coach of the Year.

Ron Stephens, Rokudan - Springville, Alabama

Ron Stevens was retired 101st Airborne. He was also one of the few remaining students who trained directly under Mr. Marshall, passing away in 2005.

Ed Byers, Godan - Charlotte, North Carolina

Byers Sensei is a Federal Law Enforcement Officer and runs the Seven Owls Dojo. He also holds dan rank in Judo.

Greg Faulkner, Yondan - Pelham, Alabama

Along with studying directly under Soke Marshall for a number of years, Faulkner Sensei has studied and taught Aikido for almost three decades. His class at the University of Alabama in Birmingham has been the focal point of Aikido training in Alabama since 1980.

Janet Dewey, Yondan - Starkville, Mississippi

Dewey Sensei is a research scientist at Mississippi State University and holds a 4th Dan in Judo and teaches both children's and adult classes.

Eric Welch, Yondan - Memphis, Tennessee

Holding dan rank in Judo, Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do as well as his Akayama Ryu rank, Welch Sensei is Dean of Engineering at CBU.

Mark Wathen, Yondan - Birmingham, Alabama

Wathen Sensei has shown a true gift for teaching children and is in charge of the Junior's Program in the Birmingham area. He trains directly under Worthington Sensei.

Michael Overman, Yondan - Charlotte, North Carolina

Michael is a senior instructor under Ed Byers Sensei at 7 Owl Dojo in Charlotte, N.C. He has been a successful Judo competitor both nationally and internationally.

Allen Lambert, Sandan - Birmingham, Alabama

Until his death, Lambert Sensei was a driving force in Akayama Ryu. Beginning his training under Soke Marshall, he became an assistant instructor under Barlow Sensei and also held rank in judo.

Joseph Lumpkin, Sandan - Oneonta, Alabama

Joseph holds dan ranking in Shotokan Karate, Judo and Hapkido and is the Director of Karate for Christ. His church-based martial arts ministry has reached hundreds of students.

Jason Lynch, Sandan - Daphne, Alabama

A student of Akayama Ryu since the mid 1990's, Jason has recently moved to the Alabama Gulf Coast to continue his training with Barlow Sensei.

Joe Clem, Sandan - Birmingham, Alabama

Joe Clem began his training with Akayama Ryu in the mid 1990's. He is frequently called upon to act as uke during demonstrations and seminars and has recently taken a more active role as an assistant instructor.

Doug Bedsaul, Sandan - Starkville, Mississippi

Also holds a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Tim Knight, Sandan - Foley, Alabama

Knight Sensei is Dojocho of the Gulf Coast Martial Arts Dojo. He is a Detective with the Gulf Shores Police Department and also holds a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Robbie Wheeler, Nidan - Mount Olive, Alabama

A student of the Ryu since the early 80's, Wheeler Sensei built a reputation as a no-nonsense bouncer and doorman and competed successfully in Judo and grappling tournaments. He holds rank in Aikido and judo as well as Jikishinkage-Ryu Aikijujutsu and Akayama Ryu jujutsu.

Ron Buford, Nidan - Birmingham, Alabama

Having begun training in Akayama Ryu in the early 1980's, Buford Sensei is respected for his strength, ability and composure. Along with his Akayama Ryu rank, he is also ranked in Aikido and Judo.

Hal Songer, Nidan - Pinson, Alabama

Songer Sensei is known for being an outstanding instructor and demonstrating superb technique during kata.

Jeff Martin, Nidan - Denver, Colorado

Martin Sensei had studied various grappling arts, but did not find a comprehensive combat art until he began his study of Akayama Ryu. He has consistently fielded one of the strongest competition teams in the Wyoming/Utah/Idaho area.

Ron Burcham, Nidan - Birmingham, Alabama

Ron was a long-time student of Mr. Marshall and Barlow Sensei. It was not unusual to find him at the Dojo six days a week. Akyama-Ryu lost a true friend and brother upon his death in 1990.

Foster Smith, Nidan - Birmingham, Alabama

Akayama Ryu's resident bon vivant, Smith Sensei is the man we turn to when choosing what wine goes best with a choke.

Eddie Drake, Nidan - Gardendale, Alabama

As an Instructor Drake Sensei has demonstrated a great talent for conveying basics to beginners.

Joel O'Lear, Nidan - New Orleans, Louisiana

O'Lear Sensei is the Assistant Instructor at the Northshore Jujutsu Dojo under Burton Sensei. He is a Deputy with the Orleans Parrish Sheriffs Department.

John Cotton, Nidan - Starkville, Mississippi

Cotton Sensei is a History Professor at East Mississippi College.

Nathan Williams, Nidan - Birmingham, Alabama

Chris Stevens, Nidan - Starkville, Mississippi

Florence Bradley, Shodan - Birmingham, Alabama

Steve Gillepsie, Shodan - Hueytown, Alabama

Donald Paul, Shodan - Pascagoula, Mississippi

Jackie Robinson, Shodan - Pinson, Alabama

Les Ernst, Shodan - Birmingham, Alabama

Patsy Rose, Shodan - Orange Beach, Alabama

Ken Jones, Shodan - Slidell, Louisiana

Forrest Morgan, Shodan - Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

Brad Dieutto, Shodan - U.S. Army, Iraq

David Close, Shodan - Starkville, Mississippi

Timothy Nettles, Shodan - Starkville, Mississippi

Jay Standley, Shodan - Starkville, Mississippi

Michele Williams, Shodan - Starkville, Mississippi

Brenda McCombs, Shodan - Birmingham, Alabama

Brian Sides, Shodan - Birmingham, Alabama

Keith Montgomery, Shodan - Ocala, Florida

Curtis Hammond, Shodan - Slidell, Louisiana

Larry Camejo, Shodan - Trinidad, West Indies

Matt Hudson, Shodan - Orange Beach, Alabama