This week I learned that Randall G. Hassell, co-founder and President of American JKA Karate Association (AJKA) and
Chief Instructor of the American Shotokan Karate Alliance (ASKA), died earlier this year (on August 4, 2015).
Mr. Hassell was a noted instructor within the discipline of Shotokan Karate. He was a Sensei...and from time-to-time, I trained under his tutelage.
In his lifetime, he was fortunate to have been able to train under some of the greatest living Shotokan Karate masters: Teruyuki Okazaki, Shojiro Sugiyama, Hidetaka Nishiyama (with whom I also had the opportunity to train during his visits to he Mid-South, from time-to-time) - among many others.
I first became aware of Sensei Hassell in the late 1970s and early 1980s. I often bought the most recent editions of Black Belt magazine - and frequently, I would notice Randall Hassell's name appearing as the by-line for articles that I quite enjoyed. As it turned out, at the time, we were also both members of the Japan Karate Association. I also happened to notice that he lived in Saint Lous, Missouri - about 347 miles from Little Rock, Arkansas - by car.
In 1982, while home on an extended leave, prior to being transfered for a new duty assignment in Bamberg, Germany - with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army - I had a desire to visit Sensei Hassell's Dojo and train with him before leaving for my new duty assignment. And so I called his Dojo to ask if I might visit - and was welcomed to visit.
At the time of my visit, I seem to recall Sensei's Dojo was located in the basement of a church.
When I arrived - I just had time to quickly change into my Gi - and join the class.
Visiting a new Dojo is always a thrill - and I was made to feel quite welcome by my fellow black belt brethren. I suppose I was somewhat of a novelty - being just 20 - and having traveled so far to train.
After the class, Sensei invited me to join him and a few of the other black belts at a local restaurant/pub. He also very graciously gave me a first edition copy of a magazine he had previously published (American Samurai).
After completing my military service in 1984, I returned to the U.S. to enter the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
In the ensuing years, I continue to stay in touch with Sensei Hassell - and continued to visit his Dojo from time-to-time. Through the frequent workshops organized by Sensei Hassell, I had the pleasure of meeting and training with Ray Dalke, Robert Myles,Leslie Safar, and Edmond Otis.
I also became the Director for the Arkansas State chapter of the then recently established American JKA Karate Association (later renamed to AJKA Karate Association) for the Dojo I had established in Little Rock.
In 1986, I returned to Saint Louis to test under Sensei Hassell for my Nidan.
In that year, I also competed in the Mid-West AJKA Karate Tournament held in St. Louis, hosted by Sensei Hassell - placing 6th in a field of national level competitors.
I deeply appreciated - and will always cherish - the gracious hospitality shown to me by Sensei Hassell - and the members of both his family and Dojo.
